Harvey Milk Recreational Arts Center

Huge space, wasted. Your taxes, paying government employees who have a bad attitude and zero accountability about this large facility.
«The 23,125 sq ft center reopened to the public after an impressive $ 12 million renovation to the 55 year old building. Dedicated now to the Visual as well as the Performing Arts, the Harvey Milk Arts Center has quickly become the City’s newest Digital Destination with state-​of-​the-​art technological facilities including brand new Sound Recording Studio & Digital Labs.»
htp://sfrecpark.org/destination/duboce-park/harvey-milk-recreational-arts-center/
A 12 million dollar studio and music center, in a prime location of SF’ holy crap! Yet it’s largely unused and no music classes, for years! How did this happen? How it is run?
Robby, who is in the position of running the Harvey Milk Recreation Center, doesn’t have a music director and is unable or unwilling to allow music teachers to teach music classes, or only does so on very limited basis. It’s hard to know if he’s looking for a music director, because nowhere is that advertised, but he says that he can’t create any music classes because he has no music director.
I met with Robby regarding teaching guitar class there. Robby had me go through the heavy application process, including going to the McLaren lodge, getting the fingerprinting service, references with email and phone numbers, cover letter, resume, and class description for the proposed course. A lot of work! I did that.
Robby says that HR won’t proceed and that he wants a music director and wants someone to do that job, and that that’s not what I was going to be doing (and it was not my objective to do so). He didn’t actually discuss this with «HR» (who?); that was just a dismissive reply to me. He has not had a music director for years and given what he is doing, I don’t expect much change in that status.
My other options is renting out a studio here in San Francisco, but that is not affordable.
Government-​run community, as SFArts and SF Parks and Recreation, etc act like they are there for community, but are they? More high-​rise buildings promoting of technology in San Francisco, while expensive «community» centers just eat up a lot of tax money.
The Harvey Milk music facility, which is not being fully utilized, provides a quiet indoor place to teach and actual real class of live people, in person, with exercises, workshops, and student performances. But the space remains largely unused.
I have emailed about this issue:
«Eric Pawlowsky» —
… «I’m very sorry but the Department has no documents responsive to your inquiry.» And after I followed up, this louse ignored me.
«Gloria Bonila, et al» —
… No response.
And Robby Roller, who is dismissive and ignores:
«Roller, Robby» —
… Initial response, then dismissive, now ignores.
I agree with the other comments about mismanagement at SF Parks and Rec.

Well, I can’t really say anything about the management, cause I never had to deal with them, but I can tell you about the classes.
I attend two classes here, Healing Yoga and Folk Dance. They are both awesome, free (donations are welcome) and taught by very good instructors.
Rec centers were designed to make communities stay together, and I think this is what’s happening here.
They get all of my support!

Zero stars to the amateurish management of this ridiculously-​run establishment with classes cancelled on the spot, reservations broken at the last minute and inquiries not returned.
Moving on…

Love this place! This is one of those hidden resources the city has… its tucked away in the building at the top of Duboce park. My son takes art classes upstairs and I use the photo center to process and print my photos downstairs. Sometime I’m going to check out the free yoga classes.

I bought a Canon T2i and had no idea how to use all the controls. In the Level 1 SLR class I learned all about exposure compensation, iso, white balance, and all the information I needed in order to take a great photo. This class fostered my love for photography. I just completed the SLR Level 2. This is not a technical class, but rather, it deals with the aesthetics of a photograph, such as composition and contrast. We studied the work of great photographers and incorporated their expertise into our own picture taking. We did a field trip and I learned a good technique for taking spontaneous street shots. We submitted photos each week that were critiqued by the group. At the end of the four weeks everyone in the class commented that they felt that the quality of their photos had improved. I really like the Harvey Milk Center because it is relaxed, friendly, and there are many experienced photographers who are happy to assist and teach a beginner like myself.

Super welcoming atmosphere! I had no experience developing film or printing, so I signed up for the Black and White Photography Intro class and it has totally enriched my life. The facilities are nice, but more importantly the help and support you readily get is very encouraging — especially while figuring this process/​art out. Michael is a fantastic instructor. I ended up signing up for B & W part II because I’ve become so hooked! I only wish this place were open more hours during the week.

Just wanted to shout out, as we rent at this center, on a quarterly basis, for over the past 5 years, and the staff is great! This center will go out of their way to make sure we have everthing we need to make our company events and parties run smoothly. The location is so central and the space is always clean, and full of great art to look at, besides a cool view of Duboce Park. Thanks for making our meetings fun!

I have taken my daughter here for ballet on Saturdays for almost 2 years. The ballet program offered here is affordable and easy to follow for first time little princesses (and princes). Parking can be a challenge but we’ve been fortunate that it hasn’t been a huge issue. Also, I was able to take advantage and try the fun Zumba class which was offered at the same time she was in ballet! Lots of fun trying to get my money-​maker to shake in the right direction. I was a mess but was glad i had the opportunity to try!

Great space. Very poor communication. We are now into the 3^rd week without a response to email or phone calls (by the leader Jenny Rogers).
We loved being here every month for a local non-​profit. We paid in advance and were good tenants. Without provocation, we were made homeless. They were unable to accept our money or book the empty room. It didn’t matter that I am in the LGBT community or that we have a non-​profit serving those in need. Doesn’t the city needed revenue?
Left us high and dry. If your event is important, consider other options.

The cost is $ 2.oo per class… morning aerobics and body toning classes taught by the same incredible teacher I had at Gold’s gym… unbelievable…so happy I found you!

Unlike everyone else who has reviewed the HMRC, I did not have a good experience here.
I rented a large room overlooking Duboce Park for three hours to host a party for a friend, and received awful customer service.
When I went to view the space initially, it was my understanding that my $ 50 per hour purchased the entire room. But on the day of the party, a partition was in place and there was a class scheduled in half of the room. When the students arrived, my guests and I had to stop the party and move our belongings out of half the room, which I had reserved by contract, and paid for.
After the event, I called the center to let them know the situation and request a partial refund, since I did not get the entire space I reserved. The rental manager made it sound like they were doing me a favor by renting the room out at all, even though they were in violation of the contract.
I would hesitate to recommend the space to anyone, the contract was poorly executed, there was NO disclaimer about having to share the room.
I’m sorry to keep repeating the word contract — but I work in events for a living, and we live and die by contracts, and when they’re not honored — what is the point?

Great newly remodeled center. Nice facilities, pleasant staff. Glad you’re back.

Spent last Saturday there for a photographers lighting workshop. The building is beautiful, clean and lots of space. The park is a beautiful addition to the space as well as the basketball courts. The park is populated by dogs and there are lovely little places to eat and drink nearby. The J gets you there in one piece.

They’re back up, and I’m finally printing again! The staff is *extremely* nice and helpful. Since everybody in the world is ditching their darkrooms, they now have some excellent enlargers. And the price is right: six months membership $ 50 + $ 5 each visit = unlimited wet printing (BYOP = Bring Your Own Paper.)

Dear Harvey Milk Recreational Arts Building,
I miss you! I can’t wait for your rennovation to be complete.
I have such fond memories of using your darkroom (So affordable! And what nice people working there! Of course, you already knew that).
I have accumulated quite a few negatives, and as soon as you reopen we’ll have such fun making black and white prints for hours on end!
Love always and forever,
Eric
PS – Thank you for being in my neighborhood. Harvey would be proud!

I have been coming to the Harvey Milk Center for almost 15 years. This is a great place to express your talent. I come here for the Photo Center. They have a black and white darkroom and classes and the mentors are so knowledgeable and very nice, Your creative juices will spill over. Just show up with your photo paper and your negative and they will provide the rest. I love this place! Give them a call and have them mail you a broucher with all of the information for photography and I will see you in the darkroom…

A San Francisco treasure! Just $ 50 for a 6 month membership and $ 5 a visit for darkroom use, unbelievably cheap. Classes in photography and printing. Sometimes the staff organizes shows for users. Go Recreation and Parks!