Create

The Arts Commission leads the County initiative, CREATE Alameda County to advance arts engagement and arts education for all community members. CREATE Alameda County programs include opportunities for individuals, families and communities to explore their creativity, engage with new ideas and arts skills, and celebrate community. Additionally, CREATE Alameda County provides resources and experiences to help advocate for and raise awareness about the importance of arts education for life-long learning, job skills, and community well being.

Arts, Culture and Creativity Month
On April 1, 2025, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors proclaimed April as Arts, Culture and Creativity! President David Haubert and Board Members presented the proclamation to Alameda County Arts Commission. See below for list of event participants.

The Alameda County Arts Commission is excited to celebrate Arts, Culture and Creativity Month of April! This is the 7th annual, statewide event that was first established by the California legislature in 2019 and is led by California for the Arts. Arts, Culture, and Creativity are essential to every thriving community. They inspire discovery, create connections, strengthen community, and spark innovation and positive change! The Arts Commission is celebrating in a variety of ways: sharing tools from state-level arts partners, receiving a proclamation from the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, sharing information about city-level arts events, and distributing watercolor arts activity sheets and coloring pages. Everyone is invited to download and use the coloring page booklet to celebrate arts education!

Learn More:
Arts, Culture and Creativity Month Information Document – Download and print to share with your community.
Alameda County Arts, Culture and Creativity Month Press Release

Upcoming Events:
The celebration of Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month provides an opportunity to showcase the rich diversity of artistic and cultural traditions in our community.

On Friday, April 18 from 4:00-5:00 pm, there will be a Celebration of Arts, Culture & Creativity Month at the Oakland Museum of California. Oakland arts leaders are partnering with California for the Arts and the Alameda County Arts Commission to present this important recognition of this month-long event. This will be a wonderful way to bring together community members and city, county, and state leaders. The event includes inspiring speakers, performers and the opportunity to network with the East Bay arts community! This free event is open to the public. Learn more and RSVP on the event page.

In April, the Alameda County Arts Commission and the Dublin Arts Collective are presenting two Arts, Culture and Creativity Youth Art Exhibitions. The exhibitions feature works created by youth artists from the Dublin area and are presented at the Alameda County Administration Building, Supervisors’ Lobby Gallery in Oakland and at The Frame Company and Art Gallery in Dublin. The Dublin exhibition will host a reception for the youth artists on Monday, April 28 at 6:00 pm.

Events are presented by organizations throughout the County including Fremont Creates, Hayward Arts Council, Livermore Art Association, Pleasanton Art League, Union City Recreation Department and others. Everyone is encouraged to attend and support the many exciting events this month.

Arts, Culture and Creativity Proclamation Photo (above) Caption:
2025 Arts, Culture and Creativity proclamation event participants include (from left to right): Andrea Guskin, Arts Commissioner; Cathy O’Dea, Arts Commissioner; Sawsan Wolski, Arts Commissioner and Dublin Arts Collective Co-Founder; Lena Tam, Vice President of the Board of Supervisors; Nate Miley, County Supervisor; Vanessa Thomas, Dublin Arts Collective Co-Founder; Winda Shimizu, Arts Commission Chairperson; Rachel Osajima, Arts Commission Director; David Haubert, President of the Board of Supervisors; Elisa Márquez, County Supervisor; Kimberly Gasaway, General Services Agency Director; Nikki Fortunato Bas, County Supervisor; Melissa Wilk, Auditor-Controller/Clerk-Recorder; Sandra Rivera, Community Development Agency Director; Laura Lloyd, Chief Deputy Auditor-Controller; and Violet Harlo, Arts Commission Program Coordinator.

Creativity is essential, and art is healing! We use our creativity every day to create solutions for the world we share. Learn more about Create Alameda County programs and get involved!

Free Arts Education Coloring Pages

The Arts Commission is sharing free arts education coloring pages. Print them at-home and color in using markers, colored pencils, crayons, or watercolor paint. Use your imagination!

LINK to 2025 Arts, Culture & Creativity Coloring Page Booklet (New!)

LINK to 2024 Arts, Culture & Creativity Coloring Pages

LINK to 2023 Celebrating Arts Education Coloring Pages

Arts, Culture and Creativity Month

Californians for the Arts (CFTA) directs this annual month-long spotlight on the arts to raise visibility and awareness about the value of our sector, to empower arts advocates to take action, and to spur greater investments in our industry and workforce. Be part of a movement and share your support for celebrating and recognizing the value and impact of arts, culture and creativity in your community. Find out more about getting involved through free arts advocacy webinars and resources at Arts, Culture & Creativity Month.

100 Families Alameda County

Since 2010, the Arts Commission has presented 100 Families Alameda County programs which brings together diverse and intergenerational families to strengthen family bonds and celebrate community through art making. This program is a part of several of the services that the Arts Commission provides including Art is Education and the Veterans Art Partnership. Past program sites have included all 12 Alameda County Library locations; Oakland Vet Center, Oakland, CA; Highland Hospital, Oakland, CA; Alameda County Family Justice Center, Oakland, CA; REACH Ashland Youth Center, San Leandro, CA; Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center, San Leandro, CA; and a partnership project with Oakland Museum of California, Oakland, CA.

Alameda County Poetry Out Loud

Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and an annual recitation competition for high school students across the country. California has the largest state program in the nation. All Alameda County High School students, grades 9-12, are invited to enter Alameda County’s Poetry Out Loud Program. Structured like a spelling bee, high school representatives advance to the County competition in early February, then the State competition in March, and ultimately to the National Finals in the Spring.

Veterans Art Partnership

Since 2015, the Alameda County Arts Commission has partnered with the Oakland Vet Center to provide free art activities for Alameda County Veterans and their families. The goals of the program are to provide opportunities for Veterans to express themselves in a supportive environment, explore visual art techniques, and engage in community building. Additionally, Veterans art exhibitions are presented to share the Veterans’ vision and voice with the broader community to deepen public understanding of the Veteran experience.

In 2024, images of artwork created by Veterans Art Partnership participants are featured in an exhibition at the Hayward Public Library Alameda on display through Jan. 4, 2025. View the slideshow of the 2024 exhibition and reception that was attended by 80 community members including elected officials who presented a certificate of Recognition to the Oakland Vet Center and the Veterans Art Partnership participants. Also, you can view a slideshow of the 2023 exhibition and reception held at the Hayward Public Library on Nov. 6, 2023.

Arts Learning Exhibitions

Overview

The Alameda County Arts Commission’s Exhibition Program is presented in person at the Alameda County Administration Building galleries in Oakland and also online through virtual exhibitions. The goal of the exhibition program is to provide a positive and uplifting experience for the public through the creativity and imagination of local artists. The exhibitions feature Alameda County artists and are organized by established nonprofit arts organizations or schools located in Alameda County. Nonprofit arts organizations and schools interested in exhibiting artwork are welcome to contact us for eligibility information.

Alameda County Administration Building Exhibitions

In-person exhibitions are located at the Alameda County Administration Building in downtown Oakland at 1221 Oak Street on the 5th floor in the Board of Supervisors and County Administration Office reception area. The exhibitions are free and open to the public when the building is open.

East Bay Heritage Quilters

Fifteen members of the East Bay Heritage Quilters (EBHQ) are featured in an in-person exhibition at the Alameda County Administration Building from July 31 2023 – January 25, 2024. Additionally, this virtual exhibition is being shared based on the in-person exhibition. EBHQ is a non-profit quilt guild founded in 1978 dedicated to preserving the traditions and appreciation of quilting; promoting camaraderie among people in all aspects of quilting; sponsoring and supporting quilting activities through educational sessions and special events; as well as providing quilts to people in need.

Online Virtual Exhibitions

African American Quilt Guild of Oakland

This virtual exhibition features the work of 20 artists who are members of The African American Quilt Guild of Oakland. This artwork was also featured in an in-person exhibition at the Alameda County Administration Building from January 24, 2021 – May 20, 2022. The African American Quilt Guild of Oakland was founded in 2000 with a mission to preserve and continue the tradition of quilting; to promote fellowship among interested persons in all aspects of quilting; to contribute to the knowledge and appreciation of fine quilting and quilts; and to sponsor and support quilting activities through regular meetings and special events with the community.

East Bay Heritage Quilters

This virtual exhibition features the work of 36 artists who are members of the East Bay Heritage Quilters (EBHQ). A version of this exhibition was also presented as an in-person exhibition at the Alameda County Administration Building from September 7, 2021 – January 20, 2022. EBHQ is a non-profit quilt guild founded in 1978 dedicated to preserving the traditions and appreciation of quilting; promoting camaraderie among people in all aspects of quilting; sponsoring and supporting quilting activities through educational sessions and special events; as well as providing quilts to people in need.

Oakland Art Association

This virtual exhibition, People and Places of Alameda County, organized by the Oakland Art Association features 19 local artists. It was also presented as an in-person exhibition at the Alameda County Administration Building from February 24, 2020 – March 6, 2020. The artworks include a range of visual media and celebrate the rich diversity of people, urban spaces, and the natural environment of Alameda County.