20 Years at OMCA—A Note from Lori Fogarty

Dear Friends, 

This month marks my 20th anniversary as the director of the Oakland Museum of California. I reflect on this moment with the firm belief that I’m the most fortunate museum director in the country. Full stop. I work in an institution that holds deeply to its values of equity, collaboration, courage, belonging, and inspiration. My colleagues and I strive to ensure that OMCA is not only relevant to our community, but truly in service to it.

We are fiercely proud of Oakland and our role in the Town. At the same time, we relish telling stories that embrace all of California—from its natural landscapes to its rich cultural life, in all its nuance and complexity.

We get to do all of this because of you—our supporters, members, volunteers, partners, and visitors. And I’m able to be in this role because of an exceptional staff who perform their work with purpose and passion.

Looking back on these 20 years, the word I most often use is journey. It has been the professional journey of a lifetime to come to the Museum at a time of pivotal change, as we embarked on the first major renovation project in the institution’s history and the first major campaign to fund it. The next major milestone in the journey was the negotiation of our status as a City department, forging a new model in public-private partnerships that allows for a structure that supports the independence and innovation the Museum needs, while maintaining our close relationship with the City of Oakland. We’ve charted new programmatic directions with our exhibitions and public programs, and opened up our campus to the surrounding neighborhood, centering our campus as a museum, garden, and gathering space.

This journey continues for me. On a personal level, I’ve had the chance to learn and grow—every single day at the Museum. I work with extraordinary staff members, an amazingly diverse and dedicated Board, and great volunteers—from those working with school groups to the legendary Oakland Museum Women’s Board that puts on the White Elephant Sale (in its 67th year!). I am part of a vibrant cultural ecosystem, and I work closely with colleagues from other cultural organizations across the city and the region. Most importantly, I am a member of a community that knows that culture matters and understands that learning through history, told in all its imperfection, is what enables us to imagine a brighter future.

Thank you for your partnership for these 20 years. I’m grateful for your trust as I look forward to serving OMCA and our community for more years to come.

With appreciation,
Lori

Lori Forgarty, 
Executive Director and CEO, Oakland Museum of California