Numerous national studies show that consistent participation in the arts has such a powerful impact on social, emotional, and intellectual development that it can significantly narrow or eliminate the achievement gap. Yet 80% of Oakland’s students—98% of whom are students of color—are denied the advantage of an arts education based on their access to generational wealth. Wealth disparities in communities of color are directly tied to institutionalized oppression. Denying students of color the profound advantage of an arts education based on their generational wealth is structural racism.

Access to arts education is a social justice issue, and Arts for Oakland Kids is an Arts Justice Fund.

For 25 years, Arts for Oakland Kids has been working to remedy this injustice by providing grants to arts organizations and independent artists to provide hands-on arts education in Oakland’s financially-oppressed schools, but we can’t do it without you. 

Your contributions to Arts for Oakland Kids (AOK) will ensure that Oakland’s students of color receive the exemplary arts education they deserve.