Community Collaborations is RPSC’s program launched in the summer of 2008 that seeks to bridge the gap between the arts community and the larger non-arts community in Oakland in order to make the arts accessible to all people and promote creative resourcefulness in underserved communities.

There are three components of this program:

1. Partnerships with local community organizations and emerging artists to provide relevant arts education that promotes do-it-yourself self-reliant principles and entrepreneurship
2. Promoting the exhibition of artists from underserved communities
3. Integrating our classes, youth, retail, and gallery programming in order to enhance the ways people experience art, provide opportunities for entrepreneurship, and promote arts mentorship for youth.

1. Photostorytelling Class at City Slickers, taught by CB Smith-Dahl. Artwork featured in the November 2008 “Food Justice” exhibition and sold here.

   This Fall local Backyard Gardeners and Residents used Holga cameras to capture the people and concerns of their neighborhood – an urban neighborhood where Food Justice is key. The participants were both frustrated and inspired by their surroundings. Their work reflects both the challenges and the spirit of change that is historic West Oakland, California.

   The images and text were created out of a series of Saturday workshops held at City Slicker Farms through a partnership with Rock Paper Scissors Collective and Community Bridge Video. They were led by Artist/Teacher CB Smith-Dahl.

   The project culminates in a book entitled “Neighborhood Harvest”. The book and 6 selected prints will be on display (and for sale) as part of the “Food Justice Show” at the next First Friday. The show opens at the Rock, Paper, Scissors Collective starting at 6pm on Friday, November 7th, 2008.

2. Recycled Arts Class at St. Vincent De Paul, taught by Chelsea Fadda. Artwork featured in the December 2008 “Second Comings” exhibition.
3. Cardboard Sculpture Class at Creative Growth, taught by James Ferrell. Artwork to be exhibited March 2009 in “Cardboard City”
4. Street Style Youth Fashion Class taught at RPSC and at Defremery Recreation Center. Artwork to be featured in the May 2009 Youth Art exhibition.

We are currently seeking funding for Community Collaborations programming in 2009/10. Stay tuned for updates! If you are interested in donating or learning more about Community Collaborations, contact:

This project is generously supported through the help of individual donors, the San Francisco Foundation, the Oakland City Council and City of Oakland Cultural Funding Program.