The best the Bay Area has to offer, from the writers and editors of KQED Arts & Culture.

Critics' PicksCritics' Picks

A grey book cover with block lettering and neon green geometric pattern.

Chris Hayes’ ‘Sirens’ Call’ Examines the Fight for Attention in Modern Age

A young woman with backcombed hair stands in fur coat and flat shoes clutching a baby. Behind her a young man with a pompador crouches. Behind him is an older man wearing a raincoat and hat.

Barbara Ramos’ Extraordinary Photos Immortalize Everyday San Franciscans

A girl smiles skyward as she stands next to her father, who is squatting and smiling while holding a drum.

Drumming Up Something For the Fathers

An Ancient Greek-inspired opera set in which a performer wields an axe prop.

SF Opera’s New Season: ‘Dead Man Walking,’ ‘The Monkey King’ and More

An image of a pink revolver gun, five pink-spotted bullets and a placemat.

In SF Art Show, Anti-Immigrant and Anti-Queer Policies Are ‘Nothing New’

A book cover shows an illustration of a sailboat in choppy waters against a sunset.

‘Hold Strong’ Sets a Love Story Amid the Greatest Maritime Horror of World War II

A book cover showing an abstract painting of a female figure overlapping with a male one.

Secrets Feed on Time in the Masterful Novel ‘Mothers and Sons’

Black family members smile in house decorated for party

Movies We’re Excited About at This Year’s SF IndieFest

paint covered aprons, wooden stands for drawing and a modernist abstract painting

These Art School ‘Artifacts’ Are More Than Meets the Eye

SF Skateboard Mecca FTC Is Hosting its First Standalone Art Show