Community is at the heart of everything I do.

  • "I have worked with Amy to craft innovative, inspiring, art-making experiences for youth and teens. Her ability to envision collaborative processes in creating art that has personal and collective meaning has broadened the scope of programmatic possibilities for us. She's a visionary networker who knows artists, agencies, and institutions and I find myself reaching out to her often."

    Elena Norberg-Brown—Cultural Arts Manager San Francisco Recreation and Park Department

  • “Amy Berk is the hidden gem behind the thriving youth arts programs in the Bay Area. It has been an absolute pleasure working with Amy. She is a wonderful collaborator, expert at staffing, and is a clear communicator. She is fantastic at inspiring confidence and creativity among students, instructors, and community members. Amy is a true visionary and asset to organizations fortunate enough to benefit from her leadership. I have never felt more confident, comfortable and supported as an art instructor than I have under the tutelage of Amy Berk.”

    Cate Nelson—Teaching Artist and Mentor
    City Studio and ARTivate

  • Amy Berk's artistic practice is that of being an educator. Her grace and capacity to lead and transform curriculums into artistic educational projects has been tried and tested to empower and support youth-driven projects. I've seen kids and teens be mentored to success - in terms of their creativity, engagement and leadership potential. I am grateful for Amy Berk in co-designing artist-led curriculums with my team at 500 Capp Street that build upon conceptual strategies of Bay Area Artists. It's a mix of high and low concepts, that provides an expanded awareness of our everyday surroundings.

    Lian Ladia, Curator, Exhibitions and Programs, 500 Capp Street

  • Amy has been an invaluable partner in Academy SF@ McAteer's art program for several years now. As the facilitator for the Industrial Design Outreach (IDO) program, Amy has continually impressed me with her unwavering dedication to our students' growth and development. Not only is she incredibly talented in her field, but she also possesses a remarkable ability to juggle multiple events (in my classroom and all of her other roles) while maintaining a positive and encouraging demeanor. Amy's passion for art shines through in her interactions with our students, inspiring them to explore their creativity and push the boundaries of their imagination. Her commitment to fostering a supportive and enriching learning environment has undoubtedly made a lasting impact on my students' lives and absolutely mine.

    Dana Fleuelling, San Francisco Unified School District

  • Amy Berk is the teacher you wish you had. She has all of the pedigree and experience needed, but most importantly, and this is rare, Amy listens and sees her students — she empowers them intellectually and emotionally to explore their inner and exterior worlds through the art they make. I know since I have been her student.

    Nancy Elkus, artist and teacher

  • Amy is at the heart of San Francisco's art community: she's a master connector of people, and she sees and cares for the people of SF through her work. She brings art skills and exposure to local youth, connects people to the resources they need to navigate in the Bay Area's art scene, and sees potential everywhere. Amy's work in this essential area of community building and care was transformative for me. When I met Amy at a collage workshop she organized with the SF Art Commission, she immediately saw my potential as an artist and mentor, and hired me as a mentor for Industrial Design Outreach. Amy also connected me with the executive director of the Chinese Historical Society of America museum, Justin Hoover, who hired me to help produce an event series. Working with Amy taught me that artists can do so much more in community, and I've taken that to heart in my work and life ever since

    Zev Izenberg - Interdisciplinary Artist