In 2022, Pro Arts faced a significant transition as it lost its home of 13 years at Oscar Grant Plaza in downtown Oakland. Despite this challenge, the organization remained resilient, adapting to its new circumstances with determination and innovation.
Rather than being defined by the loss of a central location, Pro Arts embraced a decentralized approach to its operations. Transitioning into an umbrella organization, Pro Arts continued to hold space within the greater community of Oakland, fostering collaboration and support for a diverse array of organizations, projects, and collectives.
This decentralized model allowed Pro Arts to maintain its presence and impact in the community, while also creating opportunities for increased flexibility, creativity, and community engagement. By operating in this manner, Pro Arts reaffirmed its commitment to serving as a catalyst for artistic expression, cultural exchange, and social change within Oakland and beyond.
In 2023, Pro Arts embarked on a new chapter in its organizational history by moving into an office space at Omni Commons, a renowned community center and venue located in the heart of Oakland. This relocation marked a significant milestone for Pro Arts, as it provided a fresh opportunity to expand its presence and impact within the vibrant cultural landscape of the city.
With a firm commitment to collaboration, Pro Arts wasted no time in forging partnerships that would amplify its impact within the Oakland community. One standout initiative was the conception and execution of a site-specific artist residency program at Omni Commons. This residency provided a dedicated platform for artists to immerse themselves in the unique atmosphere and architectural elements of the space, allowing them to create works that resonated deeply with the surrounding environment. In October 2023, Pro Arts welcomed Barthelemy Garcia, a French/Swedish artist, as its inaugural artist-in-residence at Omni Commons. During his three-week residency, Garcia immersed himself in the space, exploring its intricacies and engaging with the community. The culmination of his residency was the unveiling of his site-specific installation titled Bad Omen, which opened to the public on October 6, 2023.
In 2023, Pro Arts collaborated with EastSide Arts Alliance on a visionary project titled InterGalactic Blvd - An Oakland Portal, which ran from October 14, 2023 - November 25, 2023 at EastSide Arts Alliance. Led by acclaimed artist Rigo 23 and collaborators, this project re-imagined International Boulevard as Intergalactic Boulevard - a portal for intercommunal connection. Through a dynamic blend of visual art, poetry, and grassroots community organizing, the project engaged with pressing social issues and challenged entrenched systems of oppression.
Images and sounds became powerful tools in the struggle for autonomy and self-determination, countering colonial, capitalist, racist, white supremacist, and patriarchal systems. Intergalactic Blvd served as a rallying point for resistance and resilience, offering a glimpse into a future shaped by collective action and mutual solidarity. InterGalactic Blvd - An Oakland Portal left a lasting impact on the community, inspiring new perspectives and sparking conversations about the power of art to shape our world.
