Oakland Asian Cultural Center facts for kids
The Oakland Asian Cultural Center, also known as the OACC, is a special place in Oakland, California. It's a non-profit center that celebrates the arts and cultures of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. You can find it in the Pacific Renaissance Plaza, right in Oakland 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 1984, it began as the East Bay Chinese Culture Center. By 1987, it grew and changed its name to the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. This was to include all Asian cultures, not just Chinese. The center opened its own building in Oakland's Chinatown in 1996. Since then, it has offered many cultural programs. These include shows, workshops, festivals, and classes.
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What You Can Do at the OACC
The OACC offers lots of fun and educational programs. These activities are for everyone in Oakland Chinatown and beyond.
Classes and Workshops
Many groups and artists hold weekly classes at the center. You can learn different things like dance, martial arts, art, history, and languages. The activities come from all over the world. For example, you can learn Japanese flower arranging. You might also try Theravada Buddhist meditation. Other classes include Chinese Gong Fu and traditional Mongolian dance.
Spaces for Events
The OACC has different rooms for many uses. There's a big auditorium with a stage. It also has conference rooms, a dance studio, a lobby, and a kitchen. These spaces are used by local non-profit groups and schools. Even big companies and individuals use them for events. The auditorium is named after Edward W. Chin. He gave a lot of money to help build this important space.
Exciting Events and Celebrations
The OACC often hosts events that show traditional and modern Asian arts. These include music and dance. Many events are great for families and have vendors.
Past and Recurring Events
Some past events include the Harvest Moon Festival Celebration. Another was Elements of Rhythm: Drums of Asia. The center also has events that happen every year. These are the Lunar New Year Celebration and the Asian Heritage Street Celebration. There is also the OACC Gala, which is a special fundraising event. The OACC also honored Larry Itliong, a famous labor leader, with a special day. They also showed a public screening of The Curse of Quon Gwon. This was one of the first Asian American films ever made.
Amazing Art Exhibitions
The OACC has free exhibitions that you can visit. These shows feature traditional and modern art and culture from around the world.
Featured Exhibitions
Some past exhibitions include "Reflections: Vietnam Through the Eyes of Vietnamese Americans." There was also the "Oakland Chinatown Oral History Project." Other shows were "Calligraphies in Conversation" and "Asians 4 Black Lives." "Epekto Arts" and "Drums of Asia" were also popular.
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 by a community group in Oakland Chinatown. They wanted to collect stories and memories from people in the area.
The project's goal is to capture the living history of Oakland Chinatown. Young people interview older people from the community. This helps to document their stories. It also helps to keep the cultural and historical legacy alive. Plus, it helps different generations understand each other better.
Artists in Residence Program
The OACC also has a special program for artists. It's called the Artist in Residence Program. This program helps new and experienced artists in the Bay Area. It gives them a chance to create new art. Their new works then premiere, or are shown for the first time, at the center.
Past Artists
From 2012 to 2015, Seibi Lee was an artist in residence. She is a Kathak dancer. Many other talented artists have been part of this program. These include Gamelan Sekar Jaya, Philip Huang, and Nitya Venkateswaran. Groups like Asian Pacific Islander Youth Promoting Advocacy and Leadership (AYPAL) have also participated. Other artists include Karmacy, Word & Violin, and the Shaolin Buddhist Temple & Education Foundation. Vidya, Kyoungil Ong, Rina Mehta, Jay Loyola, and Judith Kajiwara have also been resident artists.
See also
- Asian Art Museum
- Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
- Oakland Museum of California
