Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America

Oliver, Steve print view role Collector dates 1941- city Geyserville state CA sex M historical notes 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. decades of activity 1970-1980 1980-1990 1990-2000 2000-2010 2010-2020 2020-2030 website http://oliverranchfoundation.org/ updated 10/31/2024 13:33:25 bibliographic search Search Frick Art Reference Library Catalog Search Photoarchive Search Worldcat Search Library of Congress Name Authority File (LCNAF) Search Virtual International Authority File (VIAF) Archives/Repository Collection Title Collection Details Archives of American Art Victor Building, Suite 2200 Oral history interview with Steven H. Oliver, 2014 September 2-3 see details... «  back