The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC) announced that the first-ever National LGBTQ Center for the Arts will open in San Francisco, CA. With a primary focus on performances, public programmes and community partnerships, the Center provides a space to bring the arts community and SFGMC together. The new Center will house a cutting-edge media center, provide a creative space for LGBTQ artists, serve as a meeting location for community leaders, host trainings and internship programmes and more.
Located at 170 Valencia Street, the Center also marks the first permanent home for SFGMC. The four-story building, which will undergo significant renovations to modernise and adapt its use for a performing arts organisation, allows SFGMC to embark on never-before-possible programmes.
Chris Verdugo, Executive Director of the Chorus, stated, “We are so grateful to Terrence Chan and his life partner Edward Sell who will lead our campaign and our board of directors for their most generous support of this remarkable venture. We look forward to working with and alongside other LGBTQ arts organisations while supporting them in their artistic and advocacy endeavors.”
SFGMC will remain deeply committed to the San Francisco area by continuing and creating new meaningful local partnerships and working with students from various San Francisco schools. SFGMC will also maintain and expand its national presence through extensive external programmes.
“In its forty-year history, the Chorus has performed at the world’s most prestigious venues, but we have never had our own home,” said Board Chair Keith Pepper. “The new space will allow the organisation to expand its performing calendar to include master classes, an interview series with leading LGBTQ voices and ‘sing-ins’ that welcome members of the community to perform with the Chorus.”
One of the founding Chorus members Terrence Chan made a leadership gift of $5 million towards the cost of buying and renovating the space and the SFGMC Board has pledged an additional $1 million.
In making his gift, Chan said, “I am particularly excited about the vision for a National LGBTQ Center for the Arts. At this time in our nation’s history, it is vital that we in the LGBTQ community have a home for our art and artists. I am confident that great work will be created in our new home – work that will inspire, engage and educate.”
Dr. Timothy Seelig, Artistic Director of the Chorus, stated, “In my 30 years conducting LGBTQ choruses, none of us have had the ability to purchase a building that had multiple rehearsal spaces, a recording studio and the ability to provide space for the community. Our new Center will be open to all. It is appropriate that the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, which started the LGBTQ choral movement 40 years ago, once again is leading the field.”
