CCA Wattis Institute

Wattis, the public exhibitions wing of California College of Arts (CCA), has always had a unique presence in San Francisco by exposing locals to interesting contemporary artists from around the world. The new director, Anthony Huberman, has created a very original program that focuses on an artist or topic as a theme for a year, and invites other local and international artists to respond through site-specific installations. There’s also a hidden social club in the back—inquire with Wattis about the details. Nearby is the CCA campus where there are multiple rotating student exhibitions, public lectures, and more. Check their website for details. Stop by Thee Parkside afterwards for a great happy hour, and some hardcore music shows—make sure you wear all black.