Founded in 1978, the Italian Cultural Institute (Istituto Italiano di Cultura, or IIC) of San Francisco is an official branch of the Italian government, dedicated to the promotion of the Italian language and culture in the United States through the organization of cultural events.
Under the guidance of its trustees at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, its advisory board, and its staff, the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco conforms to this commitment by fostering cultural exchange between Italy and the USA in a variety of areas from the arts to the humanities to science.
Central to the Istituto’s mission is a constant effort to encourage the understanding and enjoyment of Italian culture by the diverse audiences present in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Istituto’s greater geographical jurisdiction. The development of academic exchanges, the organization and support of visual arts exhibitions, the provision of aid to the translation and publication of Italian books, the promotion of Italian studies, and cooperation with local institutions in the organization of various events that aim at a better understanding and appreciation of Italian arts are but a few examples of the Istituto’s initiatives.