The Oakland Asian Cultural Center (OACC) was founded in 1984 by a coalition of volunteers who recognized the need for a strong artistic and cultural force in the Chinatown area. Since opening its own facility in 1996 in the heart of Oakland’s Chinatown district, the OACC has presented countless high-quality cultural programs including performances, workshops, festivals, school tours, classes, and exhibitions.
OACC builds vibrant communities through Asian and Pacific Islander arts and cultural programs that foster inter-generational and cross-cultural dialogue and understanding, collaboration, and social justice.
OACC envisions vibrant, healthy, and just communities where diverse Asian and Pacific Islander identities and heritage are affirmed and celebrated through cross-cultural exchange, intergenerational dialogue, and educational programming.
-OACC believes that the arts and cultural heritage are essential to building and sustaining vibrant, healthy communities.
-OACC believes that the arts can be a powerful vehicle for positive social impact and change.
-OACC values authentic cross-cultural interchange among Oakland’s APIA residents and the need to extend that dialogue among the community-at-large.
-OACC values the need to empower its immediate community; build bridges between diverse communities, and collaborate with local community organizations.
-OACC values cultural programs that are high quality, have community relevancy, and affirm diverse APIA identities.
-OACC particularly values local underserved populations and under-represented APIA cultural art forms that are left out of mainstream outlets, education, and media.
-OACC values the need to break down APIA stereotypes and more accurately represent APIA identities in the community and mainstream outlets.