OUR MISSION

Nurturing creativity and imagination for vital communities and better health

The Hellerstein Foundation is a 501(c)3 IRS-approved public charity with a lead program that we call 9 Muses. In 2017, the Foundation purchased a mixed-use commercial-residential house in South Berkeley, located at 2727 California Street/1600 Ward Street.

Stated broadly, the Foundation provides material support to artists as well as programming aimed to improve the health of the community through creative engagement. This includes: a cooperative art gallery (Gallery2727); a welcoming public space for programs, events, assembly and performances (2727 Multi-Use Event and Program Space); studio space; and a 3-bedroom residential-work space for artists.

We materially support artists and nurture the unity of imagination and knowledge as embodied by the Muses in the modern world: film, theater, dance, performance, writing, visual arts, history, journalism, and medical science. A major focus of our energies is on bridging the divide between the Arts and Medical Sciences, for benefit of both sides of the Two Cultures and to improve public health. Our goals are for creativity and imagination to flourish in our communities, to contribute to the region’s vitality, and to improve general health and wellness while working to suffuse medical science through the spirit of imagination of the arts.