Remembering CCA: A Legacy of Creativity and Community

The Oakland Museum of California reflects with gratitude and a touch of sorrow as we prepare for the loss of the California College of the Arts (CCA). For generations, the school has been a cornerstone of the Bay Area’s artistic and cultural life.

Founded in 1908 as the California School of Arts and Crafts, later known as CCA, the institution nurtured countless artists, educators, and cultural leaders. Its influence extends far beyond the campus walls, reaching into the galleries, studios, and creative communities that define the region. OMCA’s collection reflects this wide influence, featuring works by CCA alumni and faculty including Frederick Meyer, Viola Frey, Peter Voulkos, Trude Guermonprez, and Chelsea Ryoko Wong. In 2007, OMCA celebrated the college’s centennial with a dedicated exhibition, highlighting the school’s enduring impact.

The school’s history also intertwines with broader cultural debates. The 2002 removal of “Crafts” from the college’s name sparked vital conversations about the definition of craft and its relationship to fine art. In a creative act of protest, student L.J. Roberts temporarily restored the letters “& Crafts” on the campus facade—a gesture now preserved in OMCA’s Gallery of California Art.

As we honor CCA, we recognize not only its alumni and faculty but also the countless staff, educators, and community members who have carried forward its spirit of curiosity, experimentation, and cultural engagement. The announcement of its closure marks a profound moment for the Bay Area arts community—one that will be felt for years to come.

We invite our visitors to explore the works in OMCA’s collection connected to CCA, reflect on the school’s remarkable legacy, and celebrate the generations of creativity it has fostered. Though the doors of CCA may be closing, its influence endures in the artists, ideas, and communities it helped shape.