Oakland mayor announces grant for artists' spaces

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  • The $1.7 million fund will go towards venues and affordable living spaces for the city's creative community.
  • Oakland mayor announces grant for artists' spaces image
  • Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf announced a grant intended to create affordable spaces for artists and arts organizations on Tuesday. The news on the fund comes after a fire claiming 36 lives broke out at The Ghost Ship warehouse on Friday night. SFGate reports the $1.7 million philanthropic grant, which comes from the Kenneth Rainin Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the Community Arts Stabilization Trust, will "help artists keep their existing venues, or move into permanent, affordable space," and "also be used to purchase real estate and lease it at below market rates to Oakland artists." Schaff has also appointed several staffers to oversee the disbursement of arts grants and work on policies meant to curb displacement. The mayor released a statement on the grant Tuesday saying "the arts are at the center of vibrant and diverse communities, and are critical to neighborhood health and well-being, yet artists and cultural organizations are increasingly vulnerable to instability and displacement." CBS News also reported that Oakland firefighters have concluded their search of The Ghost Ship warehouse, leaving the death toll at 36. 100% Silk artists Nackt (Johnny Igaz) and Cherushii (Chelsea Faith Dolan) are among the deceased.
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