About Us
The Alameda County Arts Commission is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Alameda County by nurturing a thriving environment for the arts and for cultural activities; promoting economic opportunities for Alameda County’s artists and arts organizations through programs such as arts grants, public art, and art in education programs; encouraging public participation in the arts and actively advocating for the arts.
History
The Alameda County Arts Commission (ACAC) is a division of County of Alameda. This civic organization was established in 1965 by ordinance of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. The Arts Commission acts in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors concerning the arts and cultural environment in the County. The cities and communities of Alameda County include Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Union City, and other unincorporated areas.
The Arts Commission is comprised of fifteen community members (three from each of the five districts of Alameda County) appointed by the Board of Supervisors and seven ex-officio members representing three major County departments and four leading Alameda County educational and cultural institutions.
The Alameda County Arts Commission supports all art forms such as music, dance, visual arts, literature, theater, film and video, traditional crafts and folk arts, and new media.
Mission
The Alameda County Arts Commission is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Alameda County by nurturing a thriving environment for the arts and for cultural activities; promoting economic opportunities for Alameda County’s artists and arts organizations through programs such as arts grants, public art, and art in education programs; encouraging public participation in the arts and actively advocating for the arts.
Leadership
Arts Commissioners
The Arts Commission is comprised of fifteen community members (three from each of the five districts of Alameda County) appointed by the Board of Supervisors. There are additional appointee positions for ex-officio members representing major County departments and leading Alameda County educational and cultural institutions.
Appointed Commissioners
Representing Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District 1
Sawsan Jari Wolski
Margaret Thornberry
Representing Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District 2
Mina Mangewala
Theresa Navarro
Representing Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District 3
Andrea Guskin
Theresa Rude
Jody Sahota
Representing Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District 4
Winda Shimizu
Usha Shukla
Linda Willis
Representing Alameda County Board of Supervisors, District 5
Megan Fister
Diane Takei Gotanda
Ex-Officio Members
Eileen Dalton
Community Development Agency, Designee Representing Chris Bazar
Kimberly Gassaway
Alameda County General Services Agency Director
Jennifer Chan
Alameda County General Services Agency Chief Deputy
Public Art Advisory Committee
Andrew Appleton
Elin Christopherson
Brian Laczko
Scott Miner
Tawnia Quick
Mimi Sullivan
Mark Yin
Alameda County Arts Commission Staff
Rachel Osajima
Director
Violet Harlo
Program Coordinator
Amy Stimmel
Public Art Program Coordinator
Rosa Valdez
Public Art Program Coordinator
Meeting Calendar and Agendas
Following are the Alameda County Arts Commission’s Regular Public Meetings and Links to the Meeting Agendas.
All meetings are open to the public.
Please see the meeting calendar (link below) to confirm if meeting will be held or if it is canceled.
The calendar link also includes the meeting agenda.
Regular Meetings of the Alameda County Arts Commission
are held on the second Wednesday of each month from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Alameda County Public Art Advisory Committee Meetings
are held on the fourth Thursday of each month from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.
Alameda County Arts Commission Executive Committee Meetings
are held on the second Wednesday of each month from 3:30 to 4:00 p.m.
> Click here for Meeting Calendar.
The annual ARTSFUND Grant Panel Review meeting and other meetings can also be found on the Meeting Calendar.
For additional more information, please email or call 510-208-9646
Arts Commission Logos
Alameda County Arts Commission logos are downloadable. They are provided for official partners.
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The Office of the Arts Commission is proud to be a division of the County’s Auditor-Controller/Clerk-Recorder Agency led by elected official Melissa Wilk. The support and leadership provided by Melissa Wilk is critical to the work of the Arts Commission.
Supporters: