The Bohemian Club, founded in 1872, was instituted originally as an association of gentlemen connected to or having an appreciation for Literature, Art, Music and Drama. These four fields of interest are known as the Four Pillars, and they are the foundation of all club activities and initiatives.
The Bohemian membership today is comprised of about 3000 members from all over the world, with a sizeable waiting list for admission. Club members are composed of professionals and semi-professionals in the arts, as well as individuals with a purely avocational interest. The Club is social in nature with its focus on the arts and literature. All members are strongly encouraged to participate in the activities of the Club, be it as a writer, a lecturer, an artist, a chorus member, a stagehand, or participant.
The Club owns two separate and distinct properties, the City Club and the Bohemian Grove. The six-story City Club in San Francisco was built in 1932 and contains dining rooms, a library, art gallery, a large theater, costume and scenery shops, and social rooms. In fall, winter, and spring, the City Club principal activities are weekly productions written, produced, and performed almost entirely by members and include a wide range of theatrical and musical presentations. The Club holds monthly art exhibitions, music recitals, lectures, and readings of the works of well-known and emerging authors. There are also many scheduled and spontaneous performances by soloists and small musical groups, book discussion groups, science and health presentations, as well as art and photo exhibits. In addition to these weekly shows, the Club hosts over 200 different scheduled productions centered on music, culture, art and history throughout the course of a year.
The Bohemian Grove is a 2700-acre private redwood preserve in western Sonoma County. The Grove is open year-round but comes to life during the summer months for the annual Spring Jinks and Summer Encampment. The Grove has outdoor theater facilities, a 1000-seat outdoor restaurant, a firehouse, first aid station, commissary, civic center, library, and general store. The Grove has 119 separate and distinct “camps”, each with its own character and facilities where members and their guests stay. The yearly programs at the Grove now encompass more than 100 entertainment events, produced and performed by the members, and are held in the Grove’s outdoor theaters and other common gathering places.
The Club’s general activities and policies are governed by an 11-member Board of Directors, and supported by numerous committees. The City Club has approximately 50 full-time employees and the Grove has approximately 10 full-time employees. Part-time employment grows to over 600 during the summer events.
