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historical notes
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Steve Oliver, known for his exceptional problem-solving skills as the president of Bay Area construction firm Oliver & Company, transformed into a passionate art collector and philanthropist thanks to a chance encounter with installation artist Edward Kienholz's work at SFMOMA in the early 1970s. This moment of intellectual engagement ignited a lifelong passion for the arts. He has served on the board of SFMOMA, including as its chair, played a crucial role in overseeing the museum’s relocation to its current South of Market location, and been a board member of the California College of the Arts since 1981, helping to turn the college around after a financial crisis. Furthermore, he co-founded the Community Arts Stabilization Trust (CAST), which acquires and leases spaces for Bay Area nonprofit arts organizations. Currently, he serves as chairman of United States Artists, an organization that annually awards fellowships to the country's most innovative artists. His 100-acre Geyserville ranch has become home to one of the most ambitious private collections of site-specific art in the nation. |
