Oakland, CA — The Department of Economic and Workforce Development is pleased to announce the appointment of Lyz Luke as the City of Oakland’s new Cultural Affairs Manager.
"Lyz Luke is a proven and dedicated local arts leader who emerged following a robust national recruitment. I am thrilled to have her joining our team to advance the critical work of supporting Oakland’s artistic and creative communities," said Ashleigh Kanat, Director of Economic and Workforce Development.
Luke brings more than two decades of experience as a cultural leader, advocate, and producer working at the intersection of arts, policy, and community development. She currently serves as Executive Director of Living Jazz, where she has led organizational transformation, expanded programs and partnerships, and strengthened the organization’s long-term sustainability while deepening its community impact. In addition, Luke serves in statewide leadership roles with California for the Arts and California Arts Advocates, contributing to state policy and funding strategies that advance equity, belonging, and access to the arts. She also served for six years as a Governor on the Recording Academy’s San Francisco Chapter Board (GRAMMYs), where she led efforts to engage independent artists and strengthen diversity and representation within the organization.
Over the course of a decade, Luke also founded and produced UnderCover Presents, a nationally recognized music series that brought together more than 2,000 artists across genres and produced large-scale tributes celebrating cultural icons. This work reinforced her reputation as a visionary leader who deeply understands the power of local culture as a spark for belonging, government innovation, and healthy cities. Her leadership has been recognized locally, most recently with the Oakland Chamber of Commerce Community Catalyst Award in 2025.
"Lyz Luke has spent decades in this city lifting up artists, building coalitions, and proving that culture isn't separate from economic development - it's central to it. From her leadership at Living Jazz to her work with California Arts Advocates, she's shown what it takes to fight for sustainable funding and real support for creative communities. She knows that protecting Oakland's artists means equitable policies, long-term investment, and treating them as the essential workers they are. Oakland has always been a city where culture drives change, and I'm thrilled to have Lyz leading that work,” said Mayor Barbara Lee.
As Cultural Affairs Manager, Luke will oversee the City’s Cultural Affairs Division, within the City’s Department of Economic and Workforce Development. Luke will provide leadership for ongoing and new initiatives, including advancing the City’s Cultural Plan, supporting Oakland’s cultural districts, strengthening technical assistance for artists and arts organizations, and overseeing the City’s Public Art Program. She will work collaboratively to identify sustainable, long-term solutions to support arts grants at a time when public funding is increasingly constrained. Luke recognizes the importance of engaging Oakland’s arts community for insight, partnership, and shared stewardship of these efforts.
“Oakland’s cultural strength comes from both our independent artists and our long-standing arts institutions. My goal is to build systems that recognize our artists and arts organizations as central to Oakland’s social, economic, and political future,” said Lyz Luke.
Arts funding is facing critical conditions at the national, state, and local levels, even as Oakland continues to be recognized globally as a cultural leader. Oakland’s artists and cultural keepers play a vital role in driving social change, civic engagement, and economic revitalization. Luke’s hire reflects the City’s commitment to long-term investments and policies that strengthen equity, belonging, and anti-displacement efforts while ensuring Oakland’s cultural ecosystem continues to thrive.
Luke will begin in this role on March 2, 2026.
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