2018 GIA Conference
Race, Space, and Place
Oakland, CA  |  October 21–24

Preconference Sessions

Culture at the Intersection of Race, Space, and Place

SOLD OUT

Sunday, October 21, 8am-4pm
Oakland Center, Grand Lake Ballroom | 1000 Broadway | Oakland, CA 94612

While being a deeply rooted city, with the oak tree as a metaphor of its culture and legacy, “Oaktown” is experiencing a significant transformation at the intersection of race, space, and place. Amidst conversations of gentrification, rising costs of rent, and concerns about displacement of longstanding neighborhoods, the city’s culture stands central. Grantmakers will explore how the arts and cultural philanthropy intersect with structural conditions communities confront including racism, displacement, gentrification, and other civic measures of thriving. (i.e. education, health, access, crime). Beginning with discussion of public cultural policy and moving to leverage strategies in your own communities, we will discuss methods for establishing connections across silos, building a language for equity that bridges cultural communities, funders, and policy makers, and embedding culture in funding opportunities. Case studies from both public policy and philanthropic sectors will be followed by an interactive workshop to build a language of equity around this work.

In order to move toward systemic change in the field of cultural investment and cultural equity, it is necessary to leverage public and private resources (money, networks, policies, movements), together.

More information on this preconference.

After Ghost Ship: Supporting artist-led solutions to equitable and accessible space development

SOLD OUT

Sunday, October 21, 8am-4pm
Oakstop | 1721 Broadway | Oakland, CA 94612

In December 2016, a tragic fire in Oakland at Ghost Ship – a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) artist live/work and event warehouse – left 36 young musicians, artists, and community members dead. Tensions run high in arts communities throughout the country around the scarcity of healthy and accessible space for arts and artists. How do we prevent more accidents from happening while retaining the precious little affordable living, working, and performance space left for artists in our rapidly gentrifying cities? Hear from artists, community groups and arts organizations developing equitable solutions from the grassroots to the policy level in addressing this issue and explore how funders are supporting this crucial and timely work.

After a deep dive into the post-Ghost Ship interventions of Bay Area artist communities, grantmakers will engage with artists and arts leaders in focused, small group discussions on how these issues are affecting different communities around the country. Conversations will explore artists’ experience and leadership in this work as well as the role of community developers partnering with artists in the creation of alternative spaces and models. The day will culminate in a facilitated workshop offering practical tools, practices and strategies to move this work forward.

More information on this preconference.

Exploring Oaktown: ALAANA cultural and community tour

SOLD OUT

Sunday, October 21, 8am-4pm

Oakland has a rich and expansive history as a cultural beacon in the Bay Area. The history of Black and Brown culture runs deep. Cultural spaces and civic commons, led by ALAANA communities, have and continue to be catalysts for community-driven, artist-engaged creativity and activism. Explore some of these historic cultural sites and communities along with local community guides and speakers from Oakland Creative Neighborhoods Coalition, who will provide an overview of Oakland and its neighborhoods. We will begin with breakfast at a locally owned restaurant and then board a bus for a day of cultural and community immersion. The tour will include:

Tour Planning Committee: