In 1943, The California School for Fine Arts (CSFA) in San Francisco (later known as the San Francisco Art Institute) hired Douglas MacAgy, famous in American art circles as a promoter and collector, as its new director. The school trustees wanted new energy and direction at the school and MacAgy delivered it. He promoted the school as the hub of Abstract Expressionism on the West Coast. As new members of the CSFA faculty, MacAgy hired Clyfford Still, Hassel Smith, David Park, Elmer Bischoff, Richard Diebenkorn and Mark Rothko. As instructors, Smith, Park, Bischoff and Diebenkorn received a living wage allowing them to support themselves and their families while still able to create their own work. Still and Rothko were already leaders of the Abstract Expressionists and the others were painting in that style as well.