Rising out of focus groups on next generation arts leadership conducted by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the Irvine Foundation, the Emerging Arts Professionals/San Francisco Bay Area was begun in 2008 by a small group of emerging artists and arts administrators. Led by Ebony McKinney and Adam Fong, the steering committee of what was then known as San Francisco Bay Area Emerging Arts Professionals (SFBAEAP) outlined plans for the organization and hosted its first event, Evolve & Vocalize: A Spotlight on Next Generation Arts Leadership.

Over 80 people from across the Bay Area gathered at SOMArts to share their perspectives and vision for what SFBAEAP could accomplish. Gatherings continued in 2009, establishing a mix of networking and professional development, with a focus on evolving attitudes within the sector towards next generation leaders, their issues, and their perspectives. This approach was formalized in strategic planning, and in 2010 EAP launched its Spring Series and its first fellowship cohort.

Since then, the capstone Fellowship event, EMERGENCE, has become the annual network convening, and a collaborative platform for Bay Area arts and culture workers to connect, share ideas, and elevate their work and voices. Throughout the year, EAP continues to host social events, panel discussions, and other special learning opportunities. EAP is now continuing to build its programs and expand its reach, guided and informed by the values upon which it was founded: collaboration, diversity, empowerment, innovation, proactivity and relevancy.