Balay Kreative 2.0: A Return to Roots, A Leap Forward
As we step into the next chapter of Balay Kreative, we find ourselves at a unique intersection: a return to our roots, and a leap forward into new possibilities. Rooted in community, culture, and creativity, Balay Kreative 2.0 reimagines what it means to build a home for artists, designers, and cultural producers in San Francisco — a space that doesn’t just function, but inspires, nurtures, and connects.
Desi Danganan - Co-Creator of Balay Kreative, Designer & Visionary Leader
At the heart of this evolution sits Desi Danganan, Founder & Executive Director of Kultivate Labs. A serial entrepreneur, designer, and community strategist, Desi has led branding, design, and economic development efforts in the Filipino-American community, Japantown, and the music industry in SF thru SF Live and SF Music Week. His vision for Balay Kreative 2.0 is grounded in both creative practice and economic empowerment:
“While the mainstream media talks about SF’s ‘Doom Loop,’ Filipinos are seeding the ‘Bloom Loop.’ There will be four new businesses and one new non-profit space opening up in 2024 to help grow the footprint of SOMA Pilipinas. While others run from San Francisco, we see the perfect opportunity to rush-in and help rebuild the city. We’re probably the only community that is seeing a net growth during all of this doom and gloom. By 2025 we plan to grow that number to another five or more businesses.”
— Desi Danganan, Founder & Executive Director, Kultivate Labs (PapaLoDown)
Desi’s leadership sets the tone for Balay 2.0: a cultural home, an economic ecosystem, and a platform for creative growth, where artists, designers, and cultural producers can thrive together.
the dedicated team
Balay Kreative 2.0 is brought to life by a core team of visionary creatives who help translate Desi’s vision into action:
Kristian Kabuay – Artist & Cultural Futurist
Kristian is an artist/entrepreneur/futurist specializing in endangered writing systems and tattoos from the Philippines particularly Baybayin. He fuses tradition and technology to preserve cultural knowledge while creating contemporary artistic expressions.
As a leader for the propagation and instruction of prePhilippine scripts, he launched his own edutainment business specializing in custom art, books, events, technology, and apparel. Kristian has spoken around the world at museums, schools, and companies. His work is wide-reaching that spans across new media and traditional practices. He is currently working on his 10th book, 2nd documentary, education startup, and honing his traditional tattooing practice.
At Balay, Kristian ensures that the hub reflects heritage, storytelling, and innovation simultaneously. (kabuay.com)
Kimberley Acebo Arteche – Co-Creator of Balay Kreative, Interdisciplinary Artist & Cultural Strategist
Kim (she/they) is a multimedia artist, educator, and cultural worker whose practice spans photography, textiles, ritual, installation, and performance. With a focus on diaspora, decolonization, and ancestral knowledge, Kim has guided Balay’s cultural strategy, artist development programs, and community-centered programming. This time, she’s returning to lead the survey & outreach process ensuring it isn’t just about collecting information, but really building trust and relationships with the artists we want to engage (kimacebo.art)
Andre “Dre” Sibayan – Designer & Art Director
Dre brings over 15 years of brand, design, and illustration experience to Balay. He has worked with major brands such as Target, Gap, Disney, and Quiksilver, and applies his strategic design expertise to community-focused creative projects. Dre shapes the visual identity of Balay 2.0, balancing elevated aesthetics with local relevance. (balaykreative.org)
Read more about Dre: Graphic Designer, Artist And Creative Director Andre Sibayan On Filipino American Design
Jy Jimmie Gabiola – Creative Strategist & Interdisciplinary Artist
Jimmie is a multidisciplinary artist and creative strategist who bridges culture, narrative, and marketing. With a practice exploring identity, immigration, and post-colonial narratives, As the Media Comms/Marketing Manager for Kultivate Labs, Jimmie ensures Balay’s story reaches the right audiences, amplifying the voices of the community while connecting creatives to larger networks. (jimmieflora.com)
Together, this team blends heritage, design, culture, storytelling, and strategy, creating a multidimensional hub that is as intentional as it is experimental.
Inter / Experiment / Evolve
Balay 2.0 takes inspiration from co-living and creative studio models worldwide, experimenting with spaces where artists can live, work, and collaborate. Micro-pods, modular studios, and communal production areas allow for flexible and intentional design — spaces that are as functional as they are inspiring.
Through these experiments, Balay 2.0 asks: How can a space nurture collaboration? How can design foster creativity? How can community thrive in a shared creative environment?
Building Together
Balay Kreative 2.0 is more than a building — it’s a movement. A movement to rethink what it means to create together, to live intentionally as artists, designers, and cultural producers.
📣 Share your voice in our Community Survey: Click here to participate
Your input will guide programming, space design, and community priorities. Whether you’re an artist, designer, cultural producer, or creative enthusiast, your perspective will shape this next chapter.
What’s Next: Focus Group
In the coming weeks, we’ll host a Focus Group to explore ideas from the survey in real time. This is your chance to co-create, ask questions, and envision a space that reflects your values.
Balay Kreative 2.0 is a return to roots, honoring the culture and community that birthed the first Balay, and a leap forward, embracing innovation, experimentation, and shared creativity. Together with Desi, Kristian, Dre, Kim, and Jimmie, we invite you to imagine, experiment, and grow with us — building a space where art, life, and community converge.