San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI) is at 800 Chestnut St. between Leavenworth and Jones sts. It was founded in 1871. The small campus features a traditional Spanish courtyard and a bell tower. There are panoramic views of San Francisco Bay and North Beach from this elevated location on Russian Hill.
SFAI promotes an environment that nurtures advanced and experimental forms of contemporary art. The Diego Rivera Gallery houses a Rivera fresco, and student works are displayed on the courtyard walls. The Walter and McBean galleries showcase global contemporary art. Rotating art exhibits, lectures and film showings are presented; phone for information.