Spokes is receiving smoke signals from City Hall that this is a very vulnerable year for Cultural Arts, the City department that oversees public art and arts grant programs.

In addition to the 10% reduction in the department's operating budget, we're investigating a rumor that there might be a 10-50% reduction in the granting budget (the dollars that flow to the Oakland Arts Community to support work throughout the year).

The consequences of this loss of funding could be catastrophic to Oakland, already reeling from the 2003 unhinging of the California Arts Council (yet they live! www.cac.ca.gov/).

This is the time to influence City decision-makers to keep the arts intact in spite of mind-boggling budget deficits. From now until May, the Mayor, the City Administrator and the Director of Cultural Arts and Marketing will be developing a budget for the arts. Perhaps they should hear what your priorities for the arts are, yes?

Stay tuned for a Spokes of a Hub Gathering on this subject, but don't wait for us. Just speak your mind to:

Dr. Dennis M. Power
Director, Cultural Arts & Marketing
(510) 238-2241 v
(510) 238-6341 f
dmpower@oaklandnet.com

Deborah Edgerly
City Administrator
510-238-3301 v
510-238-2223 f
510-238-3724 tty/tdd
citymanager@oaklandnet.com

Mayor Jerry Brown
510-238-3141 v
510-238-4731 f
510-238-3724 tdd
officeofthemayor@oaklandnet.com