• Three women in blue patterned outfits posing in front of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge

    DANCE

  • Musicians performing outdoors with microphones and hand drums, led by a performer in a colorful patterned shirt and blue glasses.

    MUSIC

  • Woman in traditional embroidered clothing and ornate headdress performing with a red patterned textile

    CULTURE

  • Man in elaborate orange shell-adorned costume and headdress performing against a blue sky

    TRADITION

  • Dancer in a colorful traditional Mexican dress performs on a lawn with San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

    PRIDE

  • Smiling woman waving among a diverse outdoor festival crowd, with a woman in a white kimono beside her

    COMMUNITY

  • Diverse crowd dancing outdoors at a sunny community event, led by a smiling woman in blue athletic wear.

    JOY

Who We Are:

World Arts West is an artist-centered, nonprofit, service organization for cultural dance.

World Arts West was founded in 1978 as a visibility platform for the rapidly growing cultural arts communities in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Since 1978, we have nurtured one of the most vibrant cultural dance networks in the country. We will celebrate 50 years in 2028. Join the movement!

Smiling dancers in blue and gold costumes perform outdoors on a sunny day.

News, Events, and Impact

News & Events
2027 Grants Accelerator Program (GAP)
2027 Grants Accelerator Program (GAP)

GAP cohort member Muisi-kongo Malonga + Fua Dia Kongo at the 2024 World Arts West Dance Festival

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Join Our Board!
Join Our Board!
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Why Support Cultural Arts Now?
Why Support Cultural Arts Now?

Across the U.S., but especially here in California, arts communities are reeling from deep government funding cuts. In May 2025, Governor Newsom’s proposed budget eliminated an $11.5 million allocation to the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund—a critical resource helping small nonprofit arts organizations comply with wage laws and pay artists fairly.

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Our 4 Program Pillars