WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS
Figure Drawing Group
Every First Saturday of the month- 2 pm to 5 pm
Every first Saturday of the month from 2pm-5pm at RBA Creative, artists are invited to draw, sketch, and paint the human form by viewing an experienced nude art model.
The model will be on a well-lit stage in our studio. Please bring your own easels and materials. Some chairs and tables will be provided.
The poses will be dynamic gestures done in 20 minute intervals (10 two minute poses, Break, four five minute poses, Break, two ten minute poses, Break, twenty minute poses).
Drop In Fee: $20 (+tips for the model are encouraged). The fee pays for the model and the gallery space.
RSVP
PAST EVENTS
Sunday, February 23, 2-5 PM.
Join us and our member, Ajuan Mance, as she showcases her new collection of work at RBA Creative. Ajuan is excited to launch her portrait series in collaboration with filmmaker Pam Uzzell. Bay Area Heart and Soul is a collection of drawings of Black artists living and working in the Bay Area. Ajuan will be creating the portraits and Pam will be producing short videos in which some of these artists share their work and talk about how living in the Bay Area has influenced their art.
Please join us for the project launch event, where Ajuan will be displaying the first several portraits in the series, and premiering Pam’s first two video shorts.
FOLLOWUP ON PAST EVENTS
On October 27th, we hosted a Voter Forum on the Arts and Economic Development where we discussed the development of a comprehensive platform of policy, programmatic and organizational recommendations for the arts communities to promote, including in how they vote for and evaluate elected officials. Although the voters forum was designed to speak broadly about a regional electorate and how the arts communities can galvanize to build political strength, the conversations centered around specific actions that could be pursued by those working and residing in Oakland.
Everyone was in agreement that a sustained and focused approach would be required to achieve the successes imagined.
The Agenda for the forum follows, along with notes for a path moving forward.
October 27, 2018- Voters Forum Agenda
Accountability of elected officials
Qualify “support” for the arts?
Need to decipher the rhetoric
I support world peace, but...
What can our elected officials do?
Policy >
Programmatic >
Organizational efficiency >
What is the most effective way to affect sustainable change
Information > review existing policies, programs, staffing levels, funding levels, initiatives,
resources, efforts, organizational chart, interdepartmental opportunities, etc.Organize > sustained call to action, form or join coalitions, share information, mobilize, show up and do something
Assess realm of possibility and likelihood > political will, viability and sustainability, levels of
exhibited support
Forum Goals:
Identify practical strategies for support of the arts community
Assess key indicators to best select candidates based on their record
Develop accountability measures for elected officials
Empower ourselves to take action with our vote and through political organization
Develop Comprehensive platform
Understand Regional strategy
Understanding the priority of the arts in relation to other issues:
Housing Affordability, Homelessness, Public Safety, propositions or initiatives, Potholes
Where does support for the arts rank
How likely are electeds to focus on the arts
The arts community is largely useless to a politician except to provide cover
Work for free, insignificant contributors, no voting block
What is support for the arts? Everything is an economic development issue
Incentives for arts related businesses?
Funding for artists and nonprofit arts organizations?
Arts education?
Accessible arts programming?
Public art?
Notes from October 27, 2018 Voters Forum
Arts Strategies
Develop Creative ways to funnel money into the arts through earned income and dedicated revenue streams
City-sanctioned Concessions and Art vending zones
Large-scale economic development initiatives i.e. Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center
Taxes and impact fees on housing, hotels, AirBNB, etc.Comprehensive and sustained marketing
Ballot measure
Messaging around what the arts are and what the contribute
“Language of Power” contributed by Barbara Kaplan
Art Murmur has just launched a campaign featuring individual artists
Downtown/Uptown CBD launched a street banner campaign
No significant efforts by City of Oakland
Science of art and creativity
Inventory of impact and results of arts integration
Create individual relationships with businesses and corporations
Identify institutional partners
Develop and promote an “Implementation Plan” like the one developed by Support Oakland Artists
Re-launch Oakland Art-Census and Art Community Action Network (ART-CAN)
Need for better data and plans that more accurately assess the economic and community impact of the arts and captures the needs and characteristics of the Creative Economy
Develop Political Action Committee
Develop Arts Council- non-governmental and cross-sectoral body
Pursue Social Impact Bonds- contributed by Nichole Talbett
Review Existing and Historical Arts Plans and Initiatives (not a complete list)
October 27, 2018 - Voters Forum on Arts and Economic Development
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Co-sponsored by Support Oakland Artists
The arts fuel a tremendous amount of economic activity in the region through employment in the nonprofit sector, business attraction and retention, cultural tourism, musical and performing arts attendance, and the broader creative economy. Additionally, arts education provides a powerful teaching and learning tool that serves to foster critical thinking skills.
Artists and creative professionals are a significant segment of the electorate and this forum is organized to explore the factors of how our government leaders steward the issues of most importance to us.
Forum goals:
Identify practical strategies for support of the arts community
Assess key indicators to best select candidates based on their record
Develop accountability measures for elected officials
Empower ourselves to take action with our vote and through political organization
The arts fuel the economy, builds strong, vibrant neighborhoods, improves educational outcomes and enriches society. SOA is a nonprofit organization that works to enhance local artists’ ability to thrive, increase citizens’ participation in cultural activities, and establish the region as a world-class destination for the multi-cultural arts.