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Special Exhibitions & Features

Exhibition Great Hall Born of the Bear Dance: Dugan Aguilar’s Photographs of Native California Learn More & Get tickets
Feature Art Gallery Ancestral Visions Learn More & Get tickets
Feature Art Gallery Collecting a Moment Learn More & Get tickets
Feature Art Gallery Fairyland @ 75: A Legacy of Magic Learn More & Get tickets

UPCOMING

Exhibition Great Hall Black Spaces: Reclaim & Remain Learn More & Get tickets
Feature History Gallery Students on Strike Learn More & Get tickets

Events

Spotlight Sundays: Celebrating Native Heritage through Photography—A Conversation with Ashley Salaz and Haley Day Rains April 20 from 1:00 pm 2:30 pm

Join us for this month’s Spotlight Sundays as we dive into the power of photography in honoring and amplifying Native heritage. This thought-provoking panel discussion features two dynamic Native creatives: Oakland-based Coharie and Nahua photographer Ashley Salaz and Mvskoke photographer, scholar, and filmmaker Haley Day Rains. Moderated by Drew Johnson, OMCA Curator of Photography & Visual Culture, the conversation will explore how photography serves as a vital tool for storytelling, cultural preservation, and community connection.This program is part of the exhibition Born of the Bear Dance: Dugan Aguilar’s Photographs of Native California—on view through June 2025—and draws on Dugan Aguilar’s legacy of documenting the vibrancy and resilience of Indigenous communities. The discussion will address key themes of representation, reciprocity, and the ways in which photography can be rooted in and shaped by community. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to engage in this meaningful conversation. 

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Friday Nights at OMCA with Dos Four April 25 from 5:00 pm 9:00 pm

This Friday, join us at OMCA for a night of Latin rhythms, dance, and vibrant energy! Dos Four, a dynamic fusion of Caribbean and Afro-Latin sounds, will take the stage, blending Salsa, Cumbia, Salsa Choque, Latino House, and more. Lead singer and songwriter Leyder Chapman, originally from Cuba, brings his passion for music to the Bay Area, offering feel-good tunes for all ages. With his rich musical background and past success with the band SAOCO, Dos Four continues to grow and deliver unforgettable performances.

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Friday Nights at OMCA Special Members Lounge April 25 from 5:00 pm 7:30 pm

Calling all Members! Join us for a special members’ lounge on the 3rd Level Terrace, overlooking our Garden. Mingle with fellow OMCA enthusiasts while enjoying light refreshments. Plus, we’ll be raffling off some awesome OMCA merch!

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Friday Nights at OMCA with Oaktown Jazz Workshops’ Performance Ensemble May 2 from 5:00 pm 9:00 pm

Friday Nights at OMCA is ready to ignite the evening with an unforgettable lineup of music, stories, and hands-on activities for the whole family! This week, we’re celebrating the gripping energy of jazz as the Oaktown Jazz Workshops’ Performance Ensemble takes the stage with a dynamic group of young musicians aged 14-18. These talented students will perform a mix of jazz classics alongside professional master musicians and alumni youth mentors. With performance at the core of their training, Oaktown Jazz Workshops is preserving the jazz tradition and elevating the next generation of professional musicians, educators, and culture bearers.

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Galleries & Garden

Gallery of California Art
Gallery of California History
Gallery of California Natural Sciences
Garden

Spotlight on OMCA

2024 CAMMY AWARD WINNER LORI FOGARTY

The annual CAMMY Award recognizes extraordinary museum supporters, professionals, and institutions that have made outstanding contributions to California museums. OMCA is elated to announce that this year, CAM has recognized one of our very own, Executive Director and CEO, Lori Fogarty! This award highlights her dedicated leadership throughout her extensive career, including within her role of nearly two decades at OMCA, an institution that centers community engagement, field innovation, and a commitment to inclusivity and diversity. Congratulations, Lori!

WINNER OF THE 2022 NATIONAL MEDAL FOR MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICE

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded OMCA one of only six recipients of the 2022 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries making significant and exceptional contributions to their communities.

EXPLORE

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We’re a museum, garden,
and gathering place in the
heart of Oakland.