Our Story
Founded in 1986 by playwright and activist Ellen Gavin, Brava for Women in the Arts emerged from a gathering of 75 talented women artists in San Francisco’s Mission District. The organization began with a mission to highlight the unspoken realities of women’s lives through powerful artistic expression. From its inception, Brava! has produced culturally diverse and provocative works, creating a vibrant platform for women, people of color, youth, LGBTQIA+, and other underrepresented communities.