To Survive and Thrive

Reduce Deficits

Support A Viable Financial Plan

Adapt To Changing Times

Identify As A Cultural Asset

Oakland School for the Arts is one of the highest performing public schools in Oakland. However, the reality of being a public institution that offers unique and high-caliber arts training automatically means an added cost to the school’s overall operating budget. Since its beginning, OSA has always had the challenge of annual operating deficits simply because of its arts programs. Now, because of COVID-19, OSA faces new and more pressing financial challenges.

As OSA looks to the future, the question of overall affordability becomes more apparent. The current facilities that house Oakland School for the Arts are too expensive and not fully equipped to provide the level of arts education that is the school’s mission to provide. The rent for the main building on campus—the Fox Theater—has been paid for by billboard revenue, a $1M contract that will expire within the next 5 years. If OSA is to survive—and thrive—it must adapt to the changing times and make decisions with longterm sustainability as the driving force.

OSA strives to be, and in recent years has succeeded in becoming, a value-added resource for the City of Oakland, as a cultural asset, an attractive choice for families with school-aged children, and as an economic driver that generates income for the city. One of the most important aspects about the school is the strong school culture. It is a place where students can be themselves no matter their race, sexual identity or background.

In order to survive the economic realities of not only COVID-19 but also simply being a public arts charter school in Oakland, OSA must become much more financially stable. The school must ensure that its legacy is proliferated by the support of a viable and sustainable financial plan. To achieve these goals, OSA must focus on growing its major donor base so that it can be ready and in the best position to build long-term sustainability.