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NATIONAL QUEER ARTS FESTIVAL 2021

Since 1998, QCC has curated and produced 24 National Queer Arts Festivals (NQAF) that have featured more than 2,300 LGBTQ+ artists in over 920 different arts and cultural events. The festival has become a bay area cultural institution bringing to life hundreds of performances, visual arts exhibitions, literary readings and film screenings.

Our Creating Queer Community (CQC) program has commissioned over 400 LGBTQ+ artists to create, produce, commission, promote, and document original works examining LGBTQ+ social justice and civil rights issues that debut at the National Queer Arts Festival.

THE FUTURE IS…

This year’s theme, The Future is… allows us to collectively embody the future. This year’s festival honors QCC artists and our art as it is today, while also opening the door to imagination and manifestation of the future through the eyes of the artists centering Queer, Trans, gender nonconforming, Intersex, Two-spirit, Black, Indigenous, people of color (QTI2SBIPOC artists) and giving voice to the truth we know – the future is already here, an the future is us. 

Over the years, our Creating Queer Community (CQC) program has commissioned over 400 LGBTQ+ artists to create, produce, comission, promote, and document original works examining LGBTQ+ social justice and civil rights issues that debut at the National Queer Arts Festival.

-Natalia Vigil, Executive Director

Buy Festival Pass

NQAF 2021 CATALOG

This year, all elements of the festival are virtual/digital including our catalog.

Check out the NQAF interactive catalog to see the details of all 25 festival shows! You can click on links to find descriptions, ticket links, social media and more!

Download The Future Is… NQAF Interactive Catalog: NQAF_2021

SHOWS

QWOCMAP poster

17th annual Queer Women of Color Film Festival

NQAF, NQAF 2021
https://queerculturalcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2021-QWOCFF-Poster-2.jpg 1836 1188 C Q https://queerculturalcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/cropped-logo_transparent-300x300.png C Q2021-05-25 03:08:382021-05-25 03:08:3817th annual Queer Women of Color Film Festival
Pic of Gina Stella dell'Assunta

How To Have A Body

NQAF, NQAF 2021
https://queerculturalcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Gina-Stella-dellAssunta-bio--scaled.jpg 1920 2560 C Q https://queerculturalcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/cropped-logo_transparent-300x300.png C Q2021-05-25 02:53:472021-06-10 20:01:43How To Have A Body
Key image for MASCellaneous

MASCellaneous: Remember Gender Dualisms | Decolonizing Binaries

NQAF, NQAF 2021
https://queerculturalcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2021_06_10_MASCellaneous_catalog_photo_by_Kegan_Marling.jpg 2160 1440 C Q https://queerculturalcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/cropped-logo_transparent-300x300.png C Q2021-05-25 02:33:092021-06-11 04:07:54MASCellaneous: Remember Gender Dualisms | Decolonizing Binaries

YANGA GODDESS

NQAF, NQAF 2021
https://queerculturalcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2021_YANGA_GODDESS_facebook_key_image_photo-by_Sokari_Ekine-scaled.jpg 1709 2560 C Q https://queerculturalcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/cropped-logo_transparent-300x300.png C Q2021-05-24 05:22:192021-05-25 04:15:26YANGA GODDESS
Black background with white letters and three people seating. It describes the show's name and the artists.

What Remains: Strong AF TWOC

NQAF, NQAF 2021
https://queerculturalcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/What-Remains-Key-Image-300dpi.jpg 1080 1080 C Q https://queerculturalcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/cropped-logo_transparent-300x300.png C Q2021-05-24 05:03:102021-05-26 19:40:04What Remains: Strong AF TWOC

The Art of Healing

NQAF, NQAF 2021
https://queerculturalcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2021_06_07_The_Art_of_Healing_eventbrite_graphics_by_Cori_Pillows2.jpg 359 719 C Q https://queerculturalcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/cropped-logo_transparent-300x300.png C Q2021-05-24 04:21:102021-05-24 04:21:56The Art of Healing

Shaping & Remembering: Emerging Artist Showcase

NQAF, NQAF 2021
https://queerculturalcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/nikia_emma_vertical-copy.jpg 869 426 C Q https://queerculturalcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/cropped-logo_transparent-300x300.png C Q2021-05-13 18:01:052021-05-27 22:25:12Shaping & Remembering: Emerging Artist Showcase
Flyer with queer dancers and artists for the Queer Afro Latin Dance Festival

Queer Afro Latin Dance Festival

NQAF, NQAF 2021
https://queerculturalcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/QALDF-Flyer-.png 2100 1500 C Q https://queerculturalcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/cropped-logo_transparent-300x300.png C Q2021-05-13 17:43:562021-05-19 20:37:41Queer Afro Latin Dance Festival

National Queer Arts Festival 2021

NQAF, NQAF 2021, Uncategorized
https://queerculturalcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/cover_nqaf2021b_1650x1030.jpg 1030 1650 C Q https://queerculturalcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/cropped-logo_transparent-300x300.png C Q2021-05-13 02:06:372021-06-09 16:24:24National Queer Arts Festival 2021
Overlooked Giants, A Parabale of Queer Women of Color Artists

Overlooked Giants: A Parable of Queer Women of Color in The Arts

NQAF, NQAF 2021
https://queerculturalcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/overlookedgiants_mainimage.jpeg 400 800 C Q https://queerculturalcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/cropped-logo_transparent-300x300.png C Q2021-05-13 00:40:122021-05-27 22:26:13Overlooked Giants: A Parable of Queer Women of Color in The Arts
Page 2 of 212

MAJOR FUNDERS

 

FUNDERS, SPONSORS, VENUES

Somarts Cultural Center logo Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center Logo African American Art and Culture Complex logo
brava theater center logo

CONNECT

QUEER INSTAGRAM

REFLECTING WITH ARTISTS: PEEKABOO + GG aka @restin REFLECTING WITH ARTISTS: PEEKABOO + GG aka @restingbetweenwaveforms 🌊

📍 Community Music Center, San Francisco
May 23 | 2pm to 7pm | 18+

Get your tickets now at the link in bio!
🌊 Only three days left to snag your tickets for “a 🌊 Only three days left to snag your tickets for “aquarium”. 🌊

📍 Community Music Center, San Francisco
May 23 | 2pm to 7pm | 18+

Get your tickets now at the link in bio!
The NQAF 2026 digital catalogue is here ✨ Everyt The NQAF 2026 digital catalogue is here ✨ 

Everything you need - show info, tickets, livestream links, artist pages, and community productions - all in one place. No app downloads, no hassle. Just click to explore and be part of the magic🪞

May 16 – June 21 · Link in bio.
Opening night of NQAF 2026 was a dream. Big thanks Opening night of NQAF 2026 was a dream. Big thanks to @blackmoonastrology for leading us all back to ourselves. 

Through guided reflection and communal conversation, we held up mirrors to each other. @7000coils and @lalin_music graced us with connections to our ancestors and the stars, and we were fed in more ways than one. 

Swipe through for a glimpse of a magical, breathtaking night! 

📷 by @damissionphotos 
www.damissionphotos.com
REFLECTING WITH ARTISTS: REVEL + LEAH (@blackmoona REFLECTING WITH ARTISTS: REVEL + LEAH (@blackmoonastrology)

Learn more about what you can expect from their upcoming show “As Above, So Below” 🌙✨

May 16th 
5:20pm - 10:00pm
Blaqyard Oakland

Ticket link in bio!
Come explore the stars with us! Only three days le Come explore the stars with us! Only three days left to snag your tickets for “As Above, So Below”

📍 5.16.2026 | BlaQyard, Oakland | Doors 5pm | Stargazing 9pm | In-person & Livestream tickets available at the link in bio.
Pride month isn’t here yet and we’re already exhau Pride month isn’t here yet and we’re already exhausted :’) But we’ve got a solution!

Join us on Tuesday June 30th @aaaculturecomplex to chilllllllll out (no ice)

Stations include: 

bag charm creation with @that.art.party 👜 
portrait photography with @lara_kaur 📸 
chair massage with Sadira 💆🏽‍♀️
interactive art installation for moments of reflection 🪞 

You’ll get free access to all of the above plus a nourishing meal, a cute journal and additional quiet arts and crafts! 

Space is limited, rsvp today ✨ 🔗
Frankie Maston is a gender-expansive AfroSoul, R&B Frankie Maston is a gender-expansive AfroSoul, R&B, and Pop artist originally from Tanzania, now rooted in the Bay Area. A singular voice from a veiled society, their music draws from soul, reggae, and Afropop, carrying the stories of a community that seeks hope, healing, and representation. Since first performing live in 2016, Frankie has toured globally and built community platforms spanning Tanzania, Kenya, Germany and the U.S. dedicated to artistic expression and collective care. In everything they create, the vision is the same: a world where everyone feels seen, heard, and free to be.  Mirrored Sessions is that vision made into an evening.  The show unfolds in three acts — each a transformation. It begins with the Healer: fog, candlelight, singing bowls, and a contemporary dancer moving through a journey of peace. A soundscape that calls the body home. From there, Frankie steps to center stage as the Enchantress — casting spells through slow, sensual music, live instrumentation, and the mesmerizing presence of two pole dancers. Finally, the night erupts into Rebirth, as a traditional drum circle leads the room into a full Afro dance set, Afro-traditional dancers take the stage, and Frankie channels the fierce, transformative power of Goddess Oya.  It is grounding, then pleasure, then fire. A full arc of queer becoming — lived in community, in real time. 

June 11 · Doors 6 PM · Show 6:30–9:30 PM
The Palace Theatre · San Francisco 

Get your tickets at the link in bio now!
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Link to: Overlooked Giants: A Parable of Queer Women of Color in The Arts Link to: Overlooked Giants: A Parable of Queer Women of Color in The Arts Overlooked Giants: A Parable of Queer Women of Color in The ArtsOverlooked Giants, A Parabale of Queer Women of Color Artists Link to: Queer Afro Latin Dance Festival Link to: Queer Afro Latin Dance Festival Flyer with queer dancers and artists for the Queer Afro Latin Dance FestivalQueer Afro Latin Dance Festival
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