Mildred Howard: Poetics of Memory is the first major museum exhibition to celebrate the work of beloved Bay Area artist Mildred Howard. Spanning Howard’s five-decade practice, Poetics of Memory brings together her renowned collages, found-object sculptures, and immersive installations that explore memory, identity, and the African American experience. New and never-before-seen pieces punctuate the exhibition, while archival materials from Howard’s Oakland studio illuminate the cultural currents and lived experiences that shape her practice.

This selection of new additions to the OMCA collection highlights the art and culture of the moment and illuminates history in the making. The works in the installation are the result of OMCA’s new collecting process that seeks to respond to timely issues that impact the communities of Oakland and California. Representing a move away from more traditional museum collecting priorities, Collecting the Moment shows some of the ways we center our institutional relationships with diverse community groups and voices. This ongoing and changing installation will reveal some of the many ways California artists, activists, and others claim cultural space, question societal norms, gain power, and engage the larger questions of our time.

Fairyland’s rich history is highlighted this spring at the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) in an installation titled Fairyland @ 75: A Legacy of Magic. Opening April 4, 2025, alongside the seasonal return of Friday Nights at OMCA, the installation invites visitors to learn more about Fairyland’s history, evolution, and enduring magic. 

Little learners can unleash their curiosity and imagination in the newly created OMCA Kids: Nature Playspace. Located inside the Gallery of California Natural Sciences, the playspace is focused on the unique needs of children ages 2 to 5, along with their families and caregivers