About Us
Curiosity Guild is a community of speakers who put on a series of cocktail-hour lectures about the weird and wonderful stories from history, science, art, and adventure. Our stories are told live on stage, with sassy toasts, general laughter, and callbacks.
Where do you present talks?
Our main events are at Public Works SF, in the Mission District in San Francisco, California. However, our speakers might make surprise guest appearances at other events around the Bay Area… and beyond.
Do we have to drink to participate?
Humans have to at least drink water to survive, but you don’t need to drink anything specific to attend and enjoy Curiosity Guild.
We use toasts to wrap up each story, but what you toast with is up to you. Public Works offers a number of N/A and low ABV options, as well as free cups for water.
(“Air toasts” are also fine, but Laura says: try the ginger beer, it's great.)
What is the Guild?
Guild members are the heart of our community: they are the volunteers, organizers, and speakers who make these events happen. But the Guild is also you: all of our members, including volunteers and speakers, were once excited new audience members.
Membership is by invitation and discretion of the Curators. To qualify members must actively participate and contribute to events, whether by speaking and mentoring, volunteering at events or behind the scenes, or in the wider community.
I have an issue with tickets for an upcoming salon.
We use Eventbrite for ticketing - for technical questions, reach out to Eventbrite support:
Why is everyone shouting?
We strongly believe in participatory learning, and that means interaction! The audience is encouraged to give enthusiastic appreciation to the speakers, and one way we do that is through callbacks.
Over the years a few specific themes have emerged, but sometimes speakers will give a watchword, or one arises organically. Keep an ear out! They’re a little different every time.
How can I become a speaker?
We welcome both professional and completely new speakers to our stage, and have a supporting mentorship program to help you with your presentation. Everyone was new once! Learn more about that process here:
Are you a nonprofit?
We are working to become a fiscally sponsored organization that you can donate to like a nonprofit, but that takes time and paperwork.
For the time being, if you want to support us and are fine without getting tax benefits, we have a Donation form:
How do I get Curiosity Guild speakers at my event?
We love working with museums, galleries, historical societies, libraries, cultural organizations, and just about any other nerdy group. We delight in popping up in unexpected places to dispense our particular blend of fascinating and entertaining.
If this sounds like you, please get in touch: