Access to the arts for all is essential.
A Brief History
Rock Paper Scissors Collective (RPSC) was formed in 2004 by a group of emerging artists in Oakland’s diverse and dynamic creative community. They saw need for a venue for Oakland-based artists to exhibit, sell, collaborate, teach, and learn. After a year of fundraising, RPSC opened at 2278 Telegraph Ave. In 2005, RPSC and a coalition of nearby galleries founded Oakland Art Murmur. The 23rd St. Fair, which took place outside RPSC on First Friday Art Walk nights, eventually grew into the massive Oakland First Fridays street festival. Of the organizations that founded these hallmark events, RPSC is the sole survivor. In 2016, RPSC was displaced from its iconic storefront due to continually increasing rent in a newly booming arts district. RPSC then operated out of pop-up spaces and a studio gallery at Warehouse 416. In summer 2021, we are thrilled to open our new storefront at 2120 MLK. Our passion for art by and for the people of Oakland is as strong as ever.
Who We Are
Rock Paper Scissors Collective is a member-directed, all volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that fosters creativity and collaboration in order to strengthen local communities, encourage sustainable creative practices, and explore alternative models (via consensus). We promote the sharing of ideas, skills, and resources through the celebration of art, craft, education, and performance.
RPSC currently realizes this mission through low-cost art workshops, curated and open-call gallery exhibitions, retail of handmade and independently produced goods, pop-ups, a variety of community events, and youth involvement.
Join us for a meeting if you’d like to get involved! New volunteer orientations are offered on a rolling basis. Check the calendar, or contact us!
Our programs allow people of all ages, skill levels, and abilities to access new modes of self expression, meet people, and build creative networks. We encourage people to get involved through volunteering, teaching, and exhibiting artwork. Through our community collaboration programs, we partner with local institutions, organizations, and businesses to develop unique offerings. Here’s a bit more detail about our departments:
Gallery
Our monthly exhibitions feature emerging, Oakland-based artists, prioritizing under-represented communities, ranging from duos to large group shows.
Organizations we’ve partnered with for an exhibition include:
Nurturing Independence Through Artistic Development (NIAD)
Long Arm Stapler Zine Distro
Undertone Collective
Epekto Art Projects
Catracha Coffee
Bay Area Community Services (BACS)
Oakland Unified School District (OUSD)
And some of our recent group shows have been:
Jean Jacket Art Auction, featuring over 50 artists
Deaf and Deaf-blind artists tactile mixed media collage exhibition
Ara Jo Memorial Fund alumni artists exhibition
Zines (like “Ma-ga-zines”)
Our zine library is one of the largest collections of DIY and independent publications on the West Coast. We attend regional independent publishing fairs such as San Francisco Zine Fest, and locally we helped found and remain involved in organization of the East Bay Alternative Book + Zine Fest (EBABZ, say “e-babes”), which is typically held in December.
Community Collaborations
Oakland Public Library Youth Programs (Summer and Winter Sessions) We host workshops at all OPL branches, leading a variety of activities. The events are always free to attend and are led by a trained instructor and a youth intern.
Accessible Workshops with Oakland Public Library Including sewing and tactile mixed media collage, these workshops are designed to be accessible to everyone, with emphasis on the inclusion of Deaf and Deaf-blind individuals. American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters and Support Service Providers (SSPs, working one-on-one with deaf-blind participants) facilitate communication among all participants. The events are always free to attend and typically take place at the Oakland Main Library once a month. Accessibility leader Leslie Colón has been offering this program for over eight years.
Youth Mentorship
We engage with local youth through Oakland Public Library and Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). Our student intern program through MetWest High School teaches organizational, curatorial, and entrepreneurial skills. Participating students have been awarded full scholarships and graduated from prestigious art schools, such as the California College of the Arts (CCA).
We also offer customizable internships for young people, age 15-25. Guided by a collective member mentor, interns produce a unique project and gain experience in arts organizing. Internship hours may be certified academic credit. Creative youth, apply here!
Ara Jo Memorial Fund
The Ara Jo Memorial Fund (AJMF) supports local artists and projects that benefit the East Bay and carry on Ara Christina Jo’s legacy and passion for alternative artistic expression and inclusive programming. Application cycles occur semi-annually. Learn more and apply here.
Retail
Our shop features the wares of talented Oakland and Bay Area makers!
Workshops & Events
We host a variety of workshops, from single sessions to all-day making marathons, that foster community and support local artists. Have an idea for a workshop or event you’d like to present? Get in touch with us today!
RPSC workshops are always sliding-scale, low-cost, or donation-based to keep them as financially accessible as possible.
All ages are welcome, unless otherwise noted by the instructor. Multi-generational interaction and collaboration are encouraged!
We strive to be accessible to all skill levels and abilities. Please check in with us in advance regarding ASL interpretation and SSPs.
Our location is convenient to public transportation. Use the 19th St. BART station or the 18 bus line (MLK & 22nd St. stop).
Monthly workshops we’ve hosted include:
Craft Party Every 2nd Saturday we offer a two-hour session that allows you to learn a new skill or bring your knowledge and hangout with us making art/crafting. It is sliding scale and registration is required.
Zine Jams A drawing workshop where each person contributes art to a group zine. The following month you can pick up a copy of the zine and contribute something to the next one!
Songs and Sangria Night A live music event with new performers (and homemade sangria for the audience) each month.
Abortion Support Group A safe space for anyone who has experienced an abortion. The group typically meets bi-monthly. This has led to the publication of three resource zines!
Oakland Art Ride A group bike tour through different parts of Oakland. Meet at the starting point, and check out art destinations and local bike shops along the route.
Green Windows A writing workshop for beginning to advanced writers to share and get feedback on their work. *After 10 years, this program recently retired. Get in touch if you would like to start a new writing workshop!
We also produce large-scale fundraising events annually, such as:
Craft-a-thon A 12-hour crafting marathon of back-to-back art workshops!
Roshambonanaza A full day featuring artisans and vendors retailing their creative goods, local inspiring musicians playing live music, delicious food, beer, and of course a Roshambo Tournament.
Vegan Cupcake Bake-off Our annual vegan cupcake bake-off that we have been offering for over a decade. The winners are determined by a popular vote of all tasting participants, and special guest judges choose their favorite.
Fiscal Sponsorship
As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we are able to sponsor external programs aligned with our mission, providing legal and tax-exempt status. We have sponsored:
FOUR Elements Fitness Teaching martial arts to people who may not feel comfortable in traditional training environments, particularly women, survivors of trauma and assault, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and their allies.
MetWest High School Art Program Collective member Kristi Holohan has brought a curriculum of Studio Art, Mural Arts, Fashion Design, and Gardening to the students of MetWest.
Good Omen Market An annual one-day event filled with makers, musicians, chefs, and healers of diverse media and backgrounds from the Bay Area.
Please contact us for more information about becoming a sponsored project.
Rock Paper Scissors Collective’s diverse community programs have been made possible by generous support from:
San Francisco Foundation Center
Community Arts Stabilization Trust (CAST)
Resources for Community Development
Zellerbach
City of Oakland
California Arts Council
National Arts and Disability Center
Three Swallow Foundation
Robert Half
Alameda County Arts Commission
Clorox Foundation
Left Tilt
East Bay Fund for Artists
Red Oak Opportunity Fund
Meow Wolf
Gensler
…and direct giving from community members like you!
Click here for more information on how to support RPSC!