Community Youth Programs

Welcome to The Crucible’s Community Newsletter

By Susan Mernit and Iz Plasencia | 03.28.2022

Welcome to our community newsletter! This is a space where we share opportunities and information with community partners like scholarship opportunities, Field Trip updates, programming updates, community events, and more. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions or would like us to share something with the community. Let us know how we can support your programs and your people! Please forward this information to anyone you think would benefit.

The Crucible’s Community Newsletter: 03.28.2022

Details for our 2022 Fuego Youth Leadership Program are Live

Details for our 2022 Fuego Youth Leadership Program are Live Do you know a young maker and leader that should apply to our Fuego Program? Fuego is a youth leadership opportunity for high school students excited about deepening their technical skills, learning leadership skills, and supporting The Crucible’s youth classes. Each Fuego student is paired with an experienced faculty instructor for two summers, with the goal of developing career skills, establishing rewarding relationships with mentors, and becoming a leader.

      • Please forward this application to any youth ages 15-18 that may be interested.
      • Learn more about the criteria to become a Fuego Youth Leader here.

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Save the Date: Youth + Creativity Block Party in Old Oakland

Join us on Saturday, April 16 for a block party celebrating youth and creativity! We will be there with ERV (our activated Firetruck/Educational Response Vehicle) with demos in the industrial arts. The Crucible will be bringing our glassblowing and welding crews to demo, plus hands-on activities for everyone! There will be an artist market, art showcases, food vendors, and much more for the whole family. We are thrilled to be joining other incredible Oakland arts organizations like Civic Design Studios, e14 Gallery, Chapter 510, and more!

  • When: Saturday, April 16, 12-6pm
  • Where: Old Oakland, starting at 9th and Broadway (find us parked on 8th near Clay!)
  • Free to attend!

Please Share: Youth and Adult Scholarship Opportunities

We count on our community to spread the word about available scholarships. Communication around these opportunities has been limited due to covid-19, so please share this information with anyone you think would benefit.

  • At The Crucible, scholarships fund access to classes and materials costs.
  • We prioritize scholarship awards to low-income households and individuals living in and/or attending school in West Oakland or the East Bay, and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) youth and families.
  • Scholarship applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
  • Please visit our scholarship page for more information and feel free to reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions before applying. We encourage all who are interested to apply.

Free Glass Blowing Workshops For Our Community

Our Hot Shop has reopened and is hosting Oakland educators for tasters and experiences! Learn more and see photos here.

  • We are interested in partnering with local schools and community members that would like to bring people ages 14 and up to experience glassblowing.
  • If you are interested in being notified when we offer our next free workshop for Oakland educators, please email [email protected].

Opportunities for Local Educational Partners

Our community programs team has been able to connect with local schools and programs to offer creative experiences in our studios. See this post for more information on a recent community program. If you are interested in doing something similar, please reach out to our team, especially if you are:

  • A community youth programs manager that would like to bring your young folks ages 12-18  to The Crucible for some hands-on, after-school or weekend programs in areas such as ceramics, glass blowing, leatherworking, woodworking, or welding.
  • A teacher who can help us bring in students for the special girls-only programs we hope to run for girls ages 14-18 in blacksmithing, welding, glass blowing, and ceramics.
  • A facilitator who has local West Oakland families and adults in your network who might like to experience free demonstrations and hands-on short classes (intro to glass blowing, for example).
  • Email us to get in touch.

Job Opportunities at The Crucible

The Crucible is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all persons, especially those who bring the benefits of diversity to the organization. Women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We are a nonprofit organization and art school dedicated to making the fine and industrial arts accessible for all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Our work is centered in Oakland and the East Bay, where we offer classes and team builds in glass, metal, clay, wood, and more to over 8,000 people each year. Share the word on these openings:

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You can look back on an archive of community newsletters right here.

The Crucible’s Community Newsletter: 03.28.2022

Details for our 2022 Fuego Youth Leadership Program are Live

Details for our 2022 Fuego Youth Leadership Program are Live Do you know a young maker and leader that should apply to our Fuego Program? Fuego is a youth leadership opportunity for high school students excited about deepening their technical skills, learning leadership skills, and supporting The Crucible’s youth classes. Each Fuego student is paired with an experienced faculty instructor for two summers, with the goal of developing career skills, establishing rewarding relationships with mentors, and becoming a leader.

      • Please forward this application to any youth ages 15-18 that may be interested.
      • Learn more about the criteria to become a Fuego Youth Leader here.

Save the Date: Youth + Creativity Block Party in Old Oakland

Join us on Saturday, April 16 for a block party celebrating youth and creativity! We will be there with ERV (our activated Firetruck/Educational Response Vehicle) with demos in the industrial arts. The Crucible will be bringing our glassblowing and welding crews to demo, plus hands-on activities for everyone! There will be an artist market, art showcases, food vendors, and much more for the whole family. We are thrilled to be joining other incredible Oakland arts organizations like Civic Design Studios, e14 Gallery, Chapter 510, and more!

  • When: Saturday, April 16, 12-6pm
  • Where: Old Oakland, starting at 9th and Broadway (find us parked on 8th near Clay!)
  • Free to attend!

Please Share: Youth and Adult Scholarship Opportunities

We count on our community to spread the word about available scholarships. Communication around these opportunities has been limited due to covid-19, so please share this information with anyone you think would benefit.

  • At The Crucible, scholarships fund access to classes and materials costs.
  • We prioritize scholarship awards to low-income households and individuals living in and/or attending school in West Oakland or the East Bay, and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) youth and families.
  • Scholarship applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
  • Please visit our scholarship page for more information and feel free to reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions before applying. We encourage all who are interested to apply.

Free Glass Blowing Workshops For Our Community

Our Hot Shop has reopened and is hosting Oakland educators for tasters and experiences! Learn more and see photos here.

  • We are interested in partnering with local schools and community members that would like to bring people ages 14 and up to experience glassblowing.
  • If you are interested in being notified when we offer our next free workshop for Oakland educators, please email [email protected].

Opportunities for Local Educational Partners

Our community programs team has been able to connect with local schools and programs to offer creative experiences in our studios. See this post for more information on a recent community program. If you are interested in doing something similar, please reach out to our team, especially if you are:

  • A community youth programs manager that would like to bring your young folks ages 12-18  to The Crucible for some hands-on, after-school or weekend programs in areas such as ceramics, glass blowing, leatherworking, woodworking, or welding.
  • A teacher who can help us bring in students for the special girls-only programs we hope to run for girls ages 14-18 in blacksmithing, welding, glass blowing, and ceramics.
  • A facilitator who has local West Oakland families and adults in your network who might like to experience free demonstrations and hands-on short classes (intro to glass blowing, for example).
  • Email us to get in touch.

Job Opportunities at The Crucible

The Crucible is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all persons, especially those who bring the benefits of diversity to the organization. Women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We are a nonprofit organization and art school dedicated to making the fine and industrial arts accessible for all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Our work is centered in Oakland and the East Bay, where we offer classes and team builds in glass, metal, clay, wood, and more to over 8,000 people each year. Share the word on these openings:

The Crucible’s Community Newsletter: 02.08.2022

Please share: Fall youth and adult scholarship opportunities

First wave of scholarship applications is open until February 10, 2022

  • We count on our community to spread the word about available scholarships. Communication around these opportunities has been limited due to covid-19, so please share this information with anyone you think would benefit. 
  • At The Crucible, scholarships fund access to classes and materials costs.
  • We prioritize scholarship awards to low-income households and individuals living in and/or attending school in West Oakland or the East Bay, and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) youth and families. 
  • Scholarship applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but those interested in a class running April – June should apply by February 10. 
  • Please visit our scholarship page for more information and feel free to reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions before applying. We encourage all who are interested to apply.

Earn-A-Bike Program Starting On Feb 23, 2022

At no cost to families, our Earn-A-Bike program is currently open for rolling applications. Enrollment is based entirely on scholarship applications from youth ages 10-18.

  • Earn-A-Bike is an 8-week program that meets twice a week in our bike shop, designed to teach students bicycle maintenance skills while providing them the tools to complete their very own bike.
  • If you know of someone between 10-18 years old that would enjoy this, please direct them to our scholarship application.  

Public Art In The Community 

Crucible faculty Jazzy Schwinges-Williams and Elaine Jeffery have been building bike racks as a public art installation for Midpen Housing at Brooklyn Basin. The bike racks have been cut on our CNC plasma-cutter and are going for powder coating.

  • See a video of the process here from our partner Civic Design Studio.
  • If you are interested in collaborating on a public art project for your organization, please let us know by emailing [email protected].

Hot Shop Relaunches With A Greater Community Focus 

After 2 years of being closed, our Hot Shop has reopened and is hosting Oakland educators for tasters and experiences! Learn more and see photos here.

  • We are interested in partnering with local schools and community groups that would like to bring people ages 14 and up into experience glassblowing.
  • If you are interested, please let us know by emailing [email protected].

Job Opportunities at The Crucible 

The Crucible is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all persons, especially those who bring the benefits of diversity to the organization. Women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. 

We are a nonprofit organization and art school dedicated to making the fine and industrial arts accessible for all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Our work is centered in Oakland and the East Bay, where we offer classes and team builds in glass, metal, clay, wood, and more to over 8,000 people each year. Share the word on these openings:

Community Newsletter: 11.12.2021

NEW: Free Intro classes for teachers, educators, and community leaders

Are you interested?

The Crucible is hoping to offer free classes in January and February for educators and program managers whose youth and adults will be—or could possibly be—involved in our programs in 2022. Our goal is to have you take a class with us, then bring in the community members that your programs support.

If you have wondered what taking a class in our studios might be like, and would like to indicate your interest in joining a free, three-hour introductory class in some of our disciplines, including jewelry, glass blowing, glass fusing, ceramics, leather, and foundry, please sign up here.

Bike Shop: Open Hours and Community Repair

  • Open Hours: Every Thursday from 4-8pm, our Bike Shop is open to our community for open hours. You are welcome to drop in for free instruction on maintaining your own bike. Open hours are perfect for tackling flats and tune-ups where the individual wishes to learn about and be involved in the process. No previous mechanics experience is necessary!
  • Bike Repair Drop-off: We will have a limited number of slots per week for bike repair drop-offs on a first-come, first-serve basis. Drop-off repairs may take 1-2 weeks to complete.
  • December Bike Fix-a-Thon: Our next Bike Fix-A-Thon is scheduled for Sunday, December 12, 2021. We are able to accept up to 30 bikes, first-come, first-served. Participants will leave their bikes at The Crucible during the time of service and will be available for pick up upon confirmation the week following.
  • Learn more about Open Hours and Bike Shop Events here.

Vendor scholarships for GIFTY: Just a few spots left!

  • The Crucible has scholarship funds available for accepted vendors who cannot afford to pay the full cost for a table to vend at GIFTY [December 3-5]. We have a few vendor scholarship spots left! We are also giving priority to vendors who live and/or make their products in the Bay Area, practice a craft found at The Crucible, or bring something unique to the craft show’s offerings.
  • We are prioritizing support for low-income BIPOC artisans, West Oakland residents, people who identify as neurodivergent, disabled, and/or LGBTQIA*, and encourage everyone to apply who could benefit from financial support to participate. Upon acceptance to GIFTY, an email will be sent out with more information about how to apply for financial aid.
  • Applications are now open and vendors will be accepted and notified on a rolling basis. Space is limited so we encourage you to apply early! Learn more and apply to vend here.

2022 Programs: How would you like to partner with us?

Our community programs team is deep into planning for 2022. Please reach out to our team if you are:

  • A community youth programs manager that would like to bring your young folks ages 12-18 to The Crucible for some hands-on, after-school or weekend programs in areas such as ceramics, glass blowing, leatherworking, woodworking, or welding.
  • A teacher who can help us bring in students for the special girls-only programs we hope to run for girls ages 14-18 in blacksmithing, welding, glass blowing, and ceramics
  • A facilitator who has local West Oakland families and adults in your network who might like to experience free demonstrations and hands-on short classes (intro to glass blowing, for example),
  • Click here to get in touch.

Community Newsletter: 09.14.2021

Field Trips in Fall and Winter

Smaller groups, but we’re excited to welcome you back

  • This fall and winter, bring your school group to The Crucible for a 90-minute self-guided and interactive tour. We will be offering Field Trips at a smaller capacity (approximately 50%), so please stay tuned for when we announce our next dates. You can sign up to get notified when we list our new dates.
  • Youth and teachers witness industrial arts demonstrations in areas like Glass Flameworking, Glass Blowing, Welding, Blacksmithing, Jewelry, Foundry, Bike Shop, Neon, Woodcarving, and Torch Cutting.
  • We offer both free and paid options for all visiting schools. All Oakland Unified School District and Title 1 Public Schools can attend for FREE. Private Schools and schools based outside of Oakland are $9.00 per student, however, a fee waiver may be available upon request.

See us at AKOMA Market on Sunday, September 26, 2021

Join us in the community for hands-on activities.

  • We are tabling and offering hands-on activities at Liberation Park this weekend as part of their outdoor playday. Celebrate our incredible community with delicious food, roller skating, family-friendly activities, and get hands-on at The Crucible’s table in foundry.
  • We have the ability to meet folks where they are—our team is available and can come to you! If you are interested in us offering a program like this in your community, reach out and let us know.

Scholarships for Family Workshops

  • The Crucible is offering scholarships for the following Family Workshops. These are great for families with children ages 8 and up; for young children, please plan to assist in the activity. All activities will result in cool art projects to take home. Apply now!
    • Ceramic Ornaments – November 13th, 2-4 pm
    • Mexican Tin Ornaments – December 11th, 10 am-1 pm
    • Mexican Tin Ornaments – December 12th, 10 am-1 pm

New! Artisan Entrepreneurship Kickstarter Program

  • In partnership with SFMade, The Crucible will be launching a pilot program in October 2021 to serve Bay Area BIPOC entrepreneurs and help them to launch a business selling physical artisanal products.
  • The artists selected will be granted studio space, materials, mentor support, and more! Learn more about what we are looking for in artisans and apply here.

Applications are now open for GIFTY, our annual craft show, Dec 3-5

20% seats reserved for BIPOC artists in The Crucible’s GIFTY

  • This year, we are saving at least 20% of all vendor space for BIPOC artisans. We are also giving priority to vendors who live and/or make their products in the Bay Area, practice a craft found at The Crucible, or bring something unique to the craft show’s offerings!
  • Applications are now open and vendors will be accepted and notified on a rolling basis. Space is limited so we encourage you to apply early! Learn more and apply to vend here.
  • Financial aid is available to qualifying vendors. For our GIFTY Vendor scholarships fund, we are prioritizing support for low-income BIPOC artisans, but we also hope to be able to fund West Oakland residents, people who identify as neurodivergent, disabled, and/or LGBTQIA*, and encourage everyone to apply who could benefit from financial support to participate. Upon acceptance to GIFTY, an email will be sent out with more information about how to apply for financial aid.

Please share: Fall youth and adult scholarship opportunities

Scholarships applications are open until October 1

  • We count on our community to spread the word about available scholarships. Communication around these opportunities has been limited due to covid-19, so please share this information with anyone you think would benefit.
  • By the end of 2021, more than $100,000 in scholarships and free programming will be awarded to youth and adults who would otherwise not be able to participate in the Crucible’s industrial arts offerings. We would love to partner with you to offer these seats to qualified folks in your community.
  • Our Earn-A-Bike program, based entirely on scholarship applications from youth ages 10-18, is currently open for rolling applications. Earn-A-Bike is an 8-week program that meets twice a week in our bike shop, designed to teach students bicycle maintenance skills while providing them the tools to complete their very own bike. If you know of someone between 10-18 years old that would enjoy this, please direct them to our scholarship application.
  • We prioritize scholarship awards to low-income households and individuals living in and/or attending school in West Oakland or the East Bay, and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) youth and families.
  • Scholarship applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but those interested in a class running October-December should apply by Friday, October 1. Awardees will be notified by Friday, October 15.
  • Please visit our scholarship page for more information and feel free to reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions before applying. We encourage all who are interested to apply.

Are you looking for an extended arts partnership?

The Crucible partners with schools and programs

  • We love having kids come in for site visits and classes! In the fall of 2019, The Crucible launched a three-year, grant-funded program with McClymonds to offer hands-on classes to engineering students on a weekly basis.
  • Learn more about this program here, and let us know if you would like to partner with us on a similar project by emailing [email protected].
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