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The San Francisco Street Artists Program had its official start in June of 1972, and has since enabled locally independent artists to purchase a municipal license which allows them to sell arts and crafts of their own creation in designated selling spaces throughout the city. The program did not come easily, but was the result of a hard fought political battle by street-art advocates who were not only resourceful enough to strategically organize, but were so committed that they would be arrested many times in drawing the essential media attention necessary for their vision to be realized into law.

The licensed artists of the program are only allowed to sell items that they have predominately created, and not commercially manufactured goods – thus striking an important compromise with local retail establishments. Now some four decades later and with the participation of hundreds of artists, the San Francisco Street Artists Program continues to create inexpensive marketing opportunities for independent artists and craftspeople. The program is entirely funded by the artists' license fees, and generates $4 million annually to the city's economic life.

However time would reveal the Street Artists Program to be more than a municipal arts program – it would also serve a training ground for grassroots political activism, and also open a ongoing political dialogue about what activities should, and should not be, allowed in public areas. The arts program would also as serve as a template for other cities wanting to create their own street artists programs, and whose officials would contact the Street Artists Program's office in requesting advice and documentation about the procedures which govern the San Francisco Street Artists Program.

References

1. http://www.sfartscommission.org/street_artists_program/ San Francisco Street Artists Web Site – SFAC
2. "Judge's Boost for S.F. Street Artists", San Francisco Chronicle (18 May 1971), p. 3
3. "More Peddler Busts", San Francisco Chronicle (20 September 1971), p. 2
4. http://www.sfartscommission.org/street_artists_program/Street_Artist_Bluebook.pdf, Street Artists Bluebook – Certification and Sales Space Assignment Procedures, Arts and Crafts Criteria, Regulations", San Francisco Arts Commission, 2008, p. 15
5. San Francisco Arts Commission Brochure – World Class Art for A World Class City, 2011, p. 6
6. "New Artists' Court Plea", San Francisco Chronicle (12 April 1974), p. 4