Arts Excellence and Impact

from Oakland School for the Arts, Case Statement FY22

by Oakland School for the Arts

Who We Are

Dance

Rigorous and challenging dance training of the highest caliber that includes ballet, contemporary, and body conditioning techniques

• Dance students are frequently offered master classes from talented guest artists including Jalen

Preston, Graham Alum, Christopher Dolder, and

Renee Robinson.

Digital Media

Industry-relevant instruction that covers image creation and manipulation, photography, filmmaking, animation, graphic design, and media studies

• Student work has been shown at the Chicago

International and San Francisco International Film

Festivals.

Fashion Design

Model industry practices that build strong technical foundations in drawing, clothing construction, and conceptual design

• Every spring, the Fashion Design high school class produces the Annual Runway Show. Each student works for months to research, conceptualize, pattern, and sew a fashion collection based on the show’s theme. Instrumental Music, Audio Production & Engineering

Technical and artistic training in the schools of jazz, piano, guitar, orchestral, chamber music, music theory, and audio production techniques

• In 2018, Instrumental Music hosted an orchestral collaboration with Cal Performances, LA Philharmonic,

YOLA, Oakland Symphony, and El Sistema, led by the internationally celebrated conductor, Gustavo Dudamel.

Literary Arts

Comprehensive, dynamic, and innovative introduction to literary genres, styles, and techniques providing an intensive exploration in the art and practice of creative writing

• In the Senior Books capstone class, students read, discuss, and write for three hours a day, five days a week, and dedicate their senior year to the completion of a book-length manuscript.

Production Design

Practical experience-based training on state-of-the-art equipment, developing skills that are valuable in the real-world job market

• In 2019, students applied their set design skills to plan and build two “tiny homes” for unhoused Oakland residents.

The first house went to a woman and her elementary-age daughter.

Theater

Intensive training program that prepares students for postsecondary education and employment in theatre performance, creation, and scholarship

• The Theater faculty includes accomplished artists and scholars who offer both instruction and mentorship, covering a wide range of genres, styles, and historical periods.

Visual Art

Curriculum grounded in mastering the fundamentals of studio art by committing to the creation of challenging individual projects within a broader art historical context while addressing contemporary issues

• Each year, Visual Art students present two major gallery exhibitions to showcase their work to friends, family and the greater Oakland community. In addition, students have collaborated with community partners including the

Oakland Museum of California and SFMOMA.

Vocal Music

Rigorous training in ensemble and solo vocal performance as well as music theory, cultivating a deep respect for the study and craft of music

• In 2012, students sang for President Barack Obama at the

Fox Theatre and sat in the front row for his speech. The president greeted the students one by one and shook each of their hands.

Alumni Snapshots

OSA has a vibrant, passionate and engaged alumni base and celebrates the accomplishments of all its alumni. Here is a small sampling of alums—including a special few who’ve returned to serve as school faculty.