Oakland Asian Cultural Center facts for kids
The Oakland Asian Cultural Center, often called the OACC, is a special place in Oakland, California. It's a non-profit organization, which means it works to help the community, not to make money. The OACC focuses on sharing the amazing arts and cultures of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans.
You can find the OACC in the Pacific Renaissance Plaza, right in the heart of Oakland's Chinatown. It's super easy to get to, just a short walk from the 12th Street Civic Center BART station.
The idea for the OACC started in the early 1980s. People in the community wanted a place to celebrate Asian cultures and have an Asian library. In December 1984, it began as the East Bay Chinese Culture Center. By 1987, it changed its name to the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. This was to include all Asian cultures, not just Chinese.
The OACC opened its own building in Oakland's Chinatown in 1996. Since then, it has offered many fun and educational programs. These include performances, workshops, festivals, school visits, classes, and art shows.
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What the OACC Offers
The OACC provides many educational and cultural activities for people in Oakland Chinatown. Different community groups and artists use the center. They hold weekly classes in things like dance, martial arts, art, history, and language.
Cultural Activities and Classes
The activities at the OACC come from all over the world. You can learn about Japanese flower arranging, which is called Ikebana. There are also classes in Theravada Buddhist meditation and Chinese Gong Fu. You can even learn traditional Mongolian dance!
Spaces for Community Use
The center has many useful spaces. There's a big auditorium with a stage, perfect for shows and events. It also has conference rooms, a dance studio, a lobby, and a kitchen. These spaces are used by local non-profit groups, schools, and even large companies. The auditorium is named after Edward W. Chin. He gave a lot of money to help build this important space.
Exciting Events at OACC
The OACC often hosts fun events that celebrate traditional and modern Asian arts. These events usually include music, dance, and activities for families. There are also vendors selling interesting items.
Popular Annual Celebrations
Some past events included the Harvest Moon Festival Celebration and Elements of Rhythm: Drums of Asia. The OACC also has recurring events that happen every year. These include the Lunar New Year Celebration and the Asian Heritage Street Celebration. There is also the OACC Gala, which is a special fundraising event.
Special Events and Screenings
The OACC has also hosted unique events. One was a Larry Itliong Day, honoring a famous labor leader. They also showed a special anniversary screening of the first Asian American film, The Curse of Quon Gwon.
Art and Culture Exhibitions
The OACC offers free exhibitions for everyone to enjoy. These shows feature traditional and modern culture from many different parts of the world.
Past Exhibitions to Explore
Some past exhibitions at the cultural center include "Reflections: Vietnam Through the Eyes of Vietnamese Americans." There was also the "Oakland Chinatown Oral History Project" and "Calligraphies in Conversation." Other shows included "Asians 4 Black Lives," "Epekto Arts," and "Drums of Asia."
The Oakland Chinatown Oral History Project
One of the most well-known exhibitions is the Oakland Chinatown Oral History Project. This project started in 2005. It was created to collect stories and memories from people living in the Chinatown area.
The project's goal is to capture the living history of Oakland Chinatown. It brings young people together with older residents to record their stories. This helps to preserve the area's cultural and historical legacy. It also helps different generations understand each other better.
Artists in Residence
The OACC also has an Artist in Residence Program. This program helps new and experienced artists in the Bay Area. It supports them in creating new art pieces. These new works then premiere, or are shown for the first time, at the center.
Featured Artists and Performers
From 2012 to 2015, Seibi Lee, a Kathak dancer, was an artist in residence. Many other talented artists have been part of this program. These include Gamelan Sekar Jaya, Philip Huang, Nitya Venkateswaran, and AYPAL (Asian Pacific Islander Youth Promoting Advocacy and Leadership). Other artists include Karmacy, Word & Violin, the Shaolin Buddhist Temple & Education Foundation, Vidya, Kyoungil Ong, Rina Mehta, Jay Loyola, and Judith Kajiwara.
See also
- Asian Art Museum
- Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
- Oakland Museum of California
