Ute and William K. Bowes, Jr. Center for Performing Arts
200 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA

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In late 2021, SFCM inaugurated the newly-built, award-winning Bowes Center, a 12-story “vertical campus” and hub for musical collaboration and community.

The $200M+ project includes spaces for students to live, study, and perform, creating an environment where students are surrounded by music and encourage to collaborate and experiment freely.

The Bowes Center is home to state-of-the-art facilities for practicing 24/7 and performing music of all disciplines in one of three concert halls, including the penthouse Osher Recital Hall with rooftop views of the city. Studio G, SFCM’s recording studio in the Bowes Center and headquarters of the Technology and Applied Composition program, is one of the most sought-after in the country. The Recording Academy, presenters of the GRAMMYs, selected it as a site for committee meetings to review award finalists.

What’s more, this new home for music provides onsite collaboration for neighboring artists at the SF Ballet, Opera, Symphony and SFJazz – all within a few minutes’ walk – as well as artists-in-residence from SFCM’s management and recording companies and beyond.

SFCM students participate in more than 500 performances each year; 90% are free and open to the public. The Bowes Center’s Uccello Lounge plays hosts to nightly student performances, as well, making the facility a resource for community engagement and for welcoming new audiences to the classical music ecosystem.

Living in Bowes gives a sense of community and so much love. Bowes brings so much creativity through and around each space. Seeing so many other students who are like me living in one huge space and that all our talents can be shared in one space is a blessing.”
– Jayla Hernandez, ’24, RJAM Drums

Rooms

Rooms include four- and three-person suites. Each unit includes:

• Living room with table, chairs, and a couch
• Kitchenette with a microwave oven, refrigerator, and a freezer
• Meraki WiFi
• Individually controlled heat and air conditioning
• Graduate students and undergraduate students over the age of 21 are offered access to dedicated floors/sections in the Bowes Center.

Community Amenities

• A student lounge with café and study spaces
• Dining plan options required for all residents
• Practice rooms on each floor (Note that this is in addition to the practicing permitted in student units)
• 24/7 access to practice and rehearsal spaces with self-recording capabilities on academic floors
• A student resource center for individual studying and group meetings
• A roof terrace with views of historic San Francisco City Hall and Civic Center
• Laundry facilities on each floor
• On-site bike storage

Safety and Security

• SFCM’s campus, including its dormitories, are closed, meaning access is allowed only to students, faculty, staff, and invited guests. Students are issued a badge to access living, dining, classroom, study, practice, and performance spaces, including to collect secured mail.
• Security officers are on-site around-the-clock, and officers are present in building lobbies 24/7.
• We invite you to review the Annual Campus Safety and Security Report , which reports data gathered by Campus Security and the San Francisco Police Department.
• Learn more about the bustling neighborhood of Hayes Valley, SFCM’s home base.

Resident Assistants (RAs) support all students living at the Bowes Center and host regular programs and events that help build a strong community.

Housing Costs

Winter Break: Winter Break is December 21, 2024 to January 11, 2025. SFCM assesses an extra charge of $1,500 for any student staying in housing for any portion of Winter Break

Read about Dining services.

The Conservatory places students at the Bowes Center based on our Residency Requirement Policy.