Programs, Initiatives and Exhibitions
Our programs, initiatives and exhibitions celebrate and showcase cultural diversity through curated exhibitions, immersive programs, and research projects. EVOAK! provides a platform for local residents, artists, cultural innovators, and community leaders to foster collaboration, and culturally resonant storytelling, along with a deeper understanding of how to chart a progressive and sustainable path forward.
Impact areas
EVOAK!:
East Oakland Reclaiming Our Worth
EVOAK!: Reclaiming Our Worth is a transformative Wallace Foundation-funded research and implementation initiative leveraging the unique cultural assets and resources of East Oakland’s Black community to promote comprehensive creative community development, belonging, and cultural preservation. The project seeks to create transformative outcomes for East Oakland and serve as a model for similar communities nationwide by centering community voices and institutional resources.
Past, Present and Possible:
Re-imagining the 980 Corridor
EVOAK! has led a community-driven effort alongside the Vision 980 process to deepen understanding of the impacts of the I-980 freeway and identify pathways for repair in West Oakland. Through interviews, pop-ups, focus groups, and activations like the 980 Block Party, EVOAK! has centered the voices of legacy residents. This work extends beyond engagement to include research on historical harm, policy opportunities, and community assets—helping translate lived experience into strategies that support equitable and implementable outcomes for the corridor’s future.
ArtistSpeak.org
ArtistSpeak! is a nonpartisan public forum featuring respected artists and arts advocates in conversation on key issues affecting the arts and the broader community. Topics include the arts as a vehicle for economic development, a tool for community development, and the role of artists in the political process.
Black Women’s Art Collective
The Black Women’s Art Collective our artist members whose work is featured in our East Oakland gallery, creating a space that uplifts and centers Black women’s creative expression. The Collective hosts monthly Second Saturday artist receptions and special programming, providing ongoing opportunities for community dialogue.
Art of Wellness
The Art of Wellness is a series of events that centers wellness within the art gallery, creating space for both physical and mental health practices alongside creative expression. Programming may include a range of wellness activities, and the gallery also serves as a gathering place for organizations hosting regular community-focused events.
Ready to make a difference?
Fill out the form below to receive updates and information about upcoming programs, events, and volunteer opportunities. Join us in painting a brighter future through the transformative power of the arts.
Together, we can empower our community, enrich our cultural heritage, and create lasting positive change. Thank you for your support and commitment to the arts!
For any inquiries, please contact us at info@evoak.org
or call 510-333-9175
Together, we can empower our community, enrich our cultural heritage, and create lasting positive change. Thank you for your support and commitment to the arts!
The Mothership:
3718 MacArthur Blvd, East Oakland, CA 94619
EVOAK!, a 501(C)3 nonprofit corporation
EIN# 01-0730431