Community

Our cohort of creators represents an interdisciplinary mix of artists, designers, technologists, and creative entrepreneurs selected via open call. Incubator members work on a variety of projects from new businesses and ambitious art installations to provocative experiments in creative code and science. Each cohort comes together to participate in regular professional development sessions, group critiques, skill-sharing workshops, and co-working hours.

Creative Professional Development

The Cultural Incubator program offers professional development opportunities designed to equip technologists and artists with strategies needed to build sustainable creative practices. Through workshops and mentorship sessions, members dive into the functional aspects of creative practice—from crafting compelling artist statements and bios to tackling grant writing, navigating seed funding, and developing robust professional networks. Beyond the program's duration, Gray Area supports members' ongoing growth, offering continued opportunities for teaching, exhibition, and professional development.

Our Space

Since 2015, Gray Area has operated out of the Grand Theater in the Mission District. The Incubator space includes: shared hot desks, lounge area, projection testing area with speakers, VR headsets, 3D printer, small electronics workstation, a kitchenette, bookable conference rooms, and a fabrication lab.

Accessibility note: accessing the Incubator space requires climbing a flight of stairs.

PROGRAM FEATURES

$170 per month Resident fee for a shared co-working space
Scholarships available
24/7 workspace access
Peer critique sessions
Expert-led professional development sessions
Opportunities to show work to the public through an Artist Salon (August) and Final Showcase (December)
Teaching opportunities and workshop participation
Free access to audiovisual equipment library
Access to on-site wood shop
Free access to Gray Area events
Free Audit access to all Education events
20% off Live Education events

AREAS OF INTEREST

New Media Arts
Creative Code
Virtual & Augmented Reality
3D Worldbuilding and Game Design
Artificial Intelligence
Civic Engagement & Social Practice
Creative Entrepreneurship
Data Science
Sound & Audio
Biotechnology

ELIGIBILITY

Open to individuals and small collectives
Must propose a piece that integrates art, design, technology, and/or science
Can be an emerging or established practitioner, but body of work should reflect a bold vision
Be eager to join and participate in Incubator community
Demonstrate capacity to self-direct project progress
Must reside in the San Francisco Bay Area