Oakland local government promises $1.7 million grant for DIY spaces
The money will be used to fund venues and affordable living spaces for local artists
Following the events of the tragic warehouse fire that claimed the lives of 36 people, including 100% Silk affiliated artists Cherushii and Nackt who were scheduled to perform at the space that night, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf has announced plans to fund DIY spaces in the city.
SFGate reports that a “$1.7 million philanthropic grant to create affordable spaces for the city’s arts organizations” has been generated by the Kenneth Rainin Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the nonprofit Community Arts Stabilization Trust with the resource “aimed at preventing displacement, growing the capacity of the city’s artists and cultural organizations, and enhancing municipal resources for the cultural sector over the long haul.”
A number of new staff positions have also been created to help distribute the money and implement the policy goals as Oakland.
Patrick Hinton is Mixmag's Digital Staff Writer, follow him on Twitter