Studio closures around The Bay Area have had a major impact on the maker community. Our working artists—whether they sell original art, depend on commission work, or are regular instructors in our classrooms—have lost their main sources of income due to Covid-19 shutdowns.
While our community faces widespread changes, we wanted to share some resources to help artists, Oaklanders, the greater Bay Area, and beyond find support during Covid-19 shutdowns. This list will be regularly updated as new information becomes available.
On Saturday, The Crucible made the decision to temporarily close to the public to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. On Monday, Alameda County ordered all non-essential businesses to close for three weeks. Spring is one of our busiest times of year, full of community events, funding opportunities, and hundreds of classes.
In light of public health recommendations to increase social distancing and reduce the incidence and spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus, The Crucible will be closed to the public starting today at 6pm and suspending operations through Sunday, March 29.
This past Saturday, we rolled up our front gate and took our brand new ERV—short for Educational Response Vehicle—on the road to the Oakland Roots game at Laney College Stadium where we had the opportunity to engage with soccer fans young and old.
Across the Bay Area, public health officials are encouraging businesses to cancel or postpone non-essential public gatherings due to the risk of community spread of Covid-19 Coronavirus. For this reason, The Crucible is postponing our upcoming Spring Open House, originally planned for Saturday, March 21.
Over the past couple weeks, you have likely heard of the Covid-19 Coronavirus that is raising health concerns around the world. According to the CDC, there is no immediate public threat in the East Bay at this time. But The Crucible is closely monitoring the situation and taking precautions to help keep our community safe.
Spring is the season of reinvention and reimagination—what better time to stretch your creative muscles and try something new! On March 28 and 29 we’re hosting 21 3-Hour Taster classes, each a perfect opportunity to explore a new art form without the deeper commitment of a full course.
This past Thursday, 327 students from eight local scools descended on our studio for the first of four Field Trip Days we’re hosting this Spring. Every year we open our 56,000 square-foot studio to Bay Area students so they can see what industrial arts education looks like up close.
This past Fall, we joined forces with Centro Community Partners to offer our first ever nine-week entrepreneurship program, designed to help artisans, craftspeople, and makers start and launch a small business.