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.

Featured Resources

Cultural Plan Apply for a Grant Oakland Film Office Mayor's Artist Task Force on Affordable Housing and Workspaces

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Topics

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

News

May 30, 2019

City Awards $80,000 in Arts Grants, Receives Grant to Support Cultural Equity Analysis as part of Oakland Cultural Plan Implementation

In May 2019, the Oakland City Council approved $80,000 in fiscal year 2018-2019 grants to eight Oakland-based nonprofit organizations through the City’s pilot Neighborhood Voices grant program. City Council also approved acceptance of a $75,000 grant award from the Surdna Foundation to support actions and recommendations found in the City’s Cultural Plan, including a cultural and racial equity impact analysis.

Apr 19, 2019

Free Walking Tours Offer Glimpse of Downtown Oakland’s History and Ongoing Renaissance

Downtown Oakland’s continuing renaissance has captured national media attention, with Uptown emerging as a premier arts and entertainment destination. Local residents and visitors can glimpse both today’s happening scene and landmarks from Oakland’s past during the 2019 Oakland Tours season.

Apr 03, 2019

City Arts Grant Applications Now Available

The City of Oakland announced that applications are available for its 2019-2020 Cultural Funding Program grants supporting arts and cultural activities in four separate project categories. All applicants must be Oakland-based, and all arts activities must be presented in Oakland between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. Interested artists and nonprofit organizations may access the grant guidelines and application forms online at www.oaklandculturalarts.org. The application submission deadline is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15, 2019.

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.

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