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Arts and Culture in Oakland

Learn about the City’s Cultural Funding Program, which provides approximately $1 million annually in grants to support the arts; the Public Art Program, which commissions and supports public art across Oakland; professional development programs for artists and arts organizations; special events support; film production permitting; and walking tours.

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Featured Resources

Cultural Plan Apply for a Cultural Funding Program Grant Oakland Film Office Mayor's Artist Task Force on Affordable Housing and Workspaces RFQ Race and Equity Impact Analysis - Cultural Affairs Division FY2019-2020 Grant Agreement Documents

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Topics

Cultural Funding Grant Program Public Art in Oakland Walking Tours Cultural Affairs Commission Funding Advisory Committee

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Meetings

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News

Feb 19, 2020

Oakland Cultural Affairs Commission Re-Established

Last night, the Oakland City Council confirmed Mayor Libby Schaaf’s appointments to the Cultural Affairs Commission. The Commission is an advisory council to the Mayor, City Council and City Administrator on all matters affecting cultural development in Oakland. The Commission members’ primary role and responsibility will be to act as ambassadors and advocates for arts and culture in Oakland.

Oakland arch on MacArthur Blvd. at Durant Avenue, part of the MacArthur Boulevard Gateway Arches Public Art Project by Eric Powell
Nov 08, 2019

City of Oakland Dedicates MacArthur Boulevard Gateway Arches

Today, Vice Mayor Larry Reid (District 7) and City Councilmember Loren Taylor (District 6) dedicated the MacArthur Boulevard Gateway Arches, the newest City-funded public artwork. Two colorful, 45-foot-wide, site-specific roadway arches have been installed along MacArthur Boulevard.

Nov 01, 2019

Over $1 Million in Cultural Funding Grants Awarded

On October 16, 2019, the Oakland City Council approved about $1,221,044 in fiscal year 2019-20 grants to Oakland-based nonprofit organizations and individual artists through the City’s Cultural Funding Program. The 91 arts grants range from $4,999 to $33,000 and have been awarded to 83 different recipients.

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About

The Cultural Affairs Division is housed in the City’s Economic & Workforce Development Department. The division includes the City’s Cultural Funding Program, which provides approximately $1 million in grants to support the arts in Oakland; the Public Art Program, which has more than $1 million in funds currently dedicated for public art installations across Oakland and staff working on special events, film production permitting and a Walking Tours program.