Towards 2021 and Beyond

LOOKING TOWARD 2021 AND BEYOND

In Winter of 2020, OSA Leadership came together to draft new Mission and Vision statements to reflect the new charter .

MISSION

Oakland School for the Arts is a diverse and inclusive public 6-12 charter school that blends immersive, robust arts with comprehensive academics, providing integrated opportunities for collaboration, expression, and personal growth.

VISION

OSA students will be creative and critical thinkers who demonstrate a commitment to equity, community, collaboration, and self-reflection. Through meaningful engagement with pathwayintegrated curriculum and work-based learning opportunities, graduates will be resilient and ready for college and career. Alumni will exemplify the essential value of the arts in all they do.

CHARTER RENEWAL

OSA recently took a dramatic step in becoming a more diverse place to serve students. In our most recent charter renewal in January 2020, we removed the requirement for students to audition to attend OSA. This action will allow the school to reach students who may not have the formal background in the arts but would thrive in the OSA community. The school actively recruits through Step it Up, a program that provides underserved youth from local Title 1 elementary schools with specialized instruction in any OSA art program.

Top: Artwork by Ajai Kasim from the Fashion Design department’s spring Lilac zine; bottom: Invitation for “Heart of Oakland” Spring 2020 fundraiser featuring art created by OSA students, cancelled due to the pandemic; opposite page, top: Visual Art faculty member Marina Perez-Wong with students in front of the new mural by Mission District-based Precita Eyes Muralists Association at the new Chase Center in San Francisco.