The art industry can be difficult to break into without connections, resources, and a lot of luck. A group of Oakland-based organizations and volunteers are working to support local artists by sharing their work and exposing a wider audience to the power of art.
Oakland Art Murmur (OAM) is a non-profit that aims to promote the visual arts and empower artists of all backgrounds. Since its founding in 2006, OAM has connected over one million visitors with local artists through art walks, where OAM’s associated visual arts venues open their doors to the public, holding receptions, lectures, and more. OAM also leads efforts to help artists grow: their Oakland OriginalsTM Artist Profiles highlight the stories of local creatives and capture the diversity and vibrancy of Oakland’s art scene.
Another interesting OAM effort was the Oakland Storefronts Initiative. In collaboration with the Immersive Arts Alliance, OAM transformed the windows of empty retail spaces in downtown Oakland into temporary installations during the pandemic, when in-person art showings were not feasible. This program helped artists display their work and find potential buyers for their art. The Storefronts Initiative also made art accessible to pedestrians who might not have ventured into an art showroom. Check out more OAM events and exhibitions on the OAM website.
Other Oakland organizations also focus on artistic training and education. The Crucible is the largest nonprofit industrial arts education facility in the U.S. Since 1999, the organization has offered 900 industrial art classes every year in 19 different art departments. Based out of its 56,000-square-foot facility in West Oakland, the Crucible has had a major impact: in 2019 alone, it provided $113,000 in youth and adult scholarships to cover the cost of art classes, awarded over $11,000 to those participating in leadership and workforce development positions and instructed over 19,500 students.
Art can be a powerful tool for self-expression, and these organizations help make it accessible to Oakland residents.
Cover image credit: The Crucible
