Feature Amid a cost-of-living crisis and the closure of local arts organizations, some are turning to different models to foster community, from nonprofit status to retail businesses.

October 28, 2026 — 5 min read

Kevin Cohya Valor (center) and family, Jordan Stein (right) at Cushion Works, 2026 (image courtesy Cushion Works)

SAN FRANCISCO — No one ever said the business of art would be easy. In San Francisco, the landscape has felt particularly demoralized in recent years. A cost-of-living crisis , paired with a seemingly absent collector base and the closure of local art schools , has spurred an exodus of artists and galleries alike. Those who are sticking around are turning to alternative models to survive and foster community, from nonprofit status to retail business.

Last year, Cushion Works , in the Mission District, acquired nonprofit status and launched a membership program to help keep the lights on.…