Brava! for Women in the Arts celebrates nearly 40 years as a professional arts organization dedicated to cultivating the artistic expression of women, LGBTQIA, people of color, youth, and other underrepresented voices.

Brava! for Women in the Arts celebrates nearly 40 years as a professional arts organization, and 20 years of owning and operating Brava Theater Center. Brava’s recent producing history includes award-winning new work by Rhodessa Jones & Cultural Odyssey, Edris Cooper-Anifowoshe & Black Artists Contemporary Cultural Experience, Marga Gomez, and Lisa Mezzacappa, as well as world premieres by Cherríe Moraga, Marisela Orta, and Lisa Marie Rollins; the Bay Area premieres of Solitude by Evelina Fernandez & Latino Theatre Company, the Off-Broadway hit Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical, the monthly podcast series Indómitas, as well as the annual events Baile en la Calle: The Mural Dances and the San Francisco Son Jarocho Festival. Brava’s current artistic programming includes traditional and contemporary music festivals, a variety of film festivals, contemporary and experimental theatrical productions, international comedy shows, lectures, and professional dance productions—making Brava one of the most eclectic and multifaceted arts venues in the Bay Area.

Brava Theater Center provides affordable space for artistic development and presentation. Comprised of a main stage with world-class lighting and sound, a second stage that doubles as a rehearsal studio, a street level cabaret space for arts and community, and a contemporary lobby/gallery showcasing visual art, Brava has become synonymous with thought-provoking shows that spotlight artists from around the Bay Area and beyond.

Brava’s Artists in Residence program supports the professional development and creative expression of directors, actors, dancers, musicians, visual artists, and designers, providing space for creation, assistance with grant writing and fiscal sponsorship, and the support of Brava's marketing and technical staff. In return, these artists continue to generate excellent art, mentor youth in Brava’s education programs, and contribute to the artistic life of San Francisco’s 24th Street corridor. Brava Artists in Residence have included Marga Gomez, Rhodessa Jones, Cherríe Moraga, Edris Cooper-Anifowoshe, Lisa Mezzacappa, Jesus Cortes, Cathie Anderson, Vidhu Singh, and Lisa Marie Rollins.

Brava is committed to providing San Francisco’s youth with quality professional arts training through the Mission Academy of Performing Arts at Brava. MAPA@Brava trains youth ages 13–18 in theatrical production and performance through four programs: The long-standing San Francisco Running Crew pairs youth with professional mentors for hands-on technical theater and design training; Cuicacalli Escuela de Danza offers traditional and contemporary dance instruction; Cuicacalli Mariachi Juvenil La Mision teaches students to make mariachi style music through a combination of individual coaching, small ensemble, and full class learning circles; and Young Thespians Theater Lab offers high quality instruction integrating drama, dance, music, and stagecraft.