[2][3] It was originally founded as a grassroots, cooperative art gallery in conjunction with Project Artaud which was a live/work artist community.

Past curators of the annual exhibition have included Magali Arriola, Tom Finkelpearl, and Kristan Kennedy.

[6] One of SoEx's main goals is to support the professional development of artists so they are able to live and work in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The Alternative Exposure Grant program “supports the work of unincorporated groups, burgeoning art and gathering spaces, publications, Web sites, collectives, events and artists making work in a variety of ways.”[7] Alternative Exposure, was founded in partnership with the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, provides more than $65,000 of grants each year to individuals who work to promote other artists through exhibition spaces, publications, websites, critical writing and other activities.

[13] In 2020, the gallery served as an official polling location during the Consolidated General Election, aimed at improving civic discourse and justice.