San Francisco's Outdoor Art Marketplaces Turn 40 June 30, 2012

The San Francisco Arts Commission’s Street Artists Licensing Program will mark 40 years of providing locals and tourists with colorful outdoor marketplaces and a significant contribution to the economic life of the City. The celebration of this anniversary will kick off on Saturday, June 30, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Justin Herman Plaza. The event will feature live music, remarks by city officials, and the opportunity for the public to enjoy the handcrafted objects created by the street artists at one of their premiere sites.

Since 1972, the Street Artists Licensing Program, under the direction of the San Francisco Arts Commission, has encouraged talented artists by licensing them to sell their work ranging from jewelry, photography, sculpture, apparel, leathercraft and blown glassware on the city’s bustling streets. While some artists travel from the outer reaches of the Bay Area to sell their crafts in the city, 55% percent of Street Artists reside in San Francisco.