Rock Paper Scissors Collective - Oakland

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Rock Paper Scissors Collective is a non-hierarchical, volunteer run, consensus based, Art Collective in Downtown Oakland. Rock Paper Scissors Collective hosts free and low cost community workshops, youth programs, college internship programs, social justice and experimental art exhibitions, a large zine library, a local handmade retail shop, a sign language and accessible interpretation program, and other community based events. The 501 (c) 3 organization focuses on inclusivity and accessibility. The group current incarnation of the organization believes everyone should have inherent access to the arts.

RPSC builds community through programming and strong partnerships with groups and organizations. RPSC has collaborated with Oakland Museum of California, Bay Area Community Services, NIAD, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, California College of the Arts, First Place for Youth, Oakland Unified School District, Oakland Public Library, Maker Faire, Oakland Department of Parks and Recreation and Youth Development

They originally had a storefront on Telegraph Avenue in Uptown. They are the sole remaining of the original founders of Art Murmur and Oakland's First Friday. It served as inspiration for the Hot Chocolate Lounge. Rising rents forced them to move out in August, 2015.

Then they had space at Flight Deck, at 1540 Broadway, then Warehouse 416 at 416 26th St and finally landed at 2120 MLK Jr Way in 2021 with a longterm lease and opened in June 2021.

On behalf of the Jo family, RPSC gives out annual artist grants in the name of former member Ara Jo who passed in the Ghostship fire. The Ara Jo Memorial Fund offers grants twice a year with one cycle focused on experimental arts and the other on zine making.

RPSC was the recipient of the East Bay Express Best Place to Build Your Zine Collection Award in 2014.

RPSC was the recipient of Inner City Advisors Non Profit of the Year

CC SA-BY Our Oaklandphoto CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 by kyle.rw

Location

PO box 71706

Hours

by appointment

Phone

N/A

Website

www.rpscollective.org

E-mail

community [at] rpsollective [dot] org

Owner(s)

Volunteer-run organization, founding members include: Amy Mosley, Emily Cohen, Emma Spertus, Jenna Feldman, Kim Fennel, Lauren Lamotte, Liz Harris, Sydney Silverstein, Tara Goe, and Nana Hayashi.

Members who founded the 2120 MLK Lease for organizational reinvigoration: Kristine Holohan, Pamela Ybanez, Leslie Colon, Lionel McNeely, Alex Sodari, Zachary Greer, and Anne Thompson with a Board of Directors: Peter Pendergrass, Anthea Ferrer, Dan Fontes, John Casey, Trey Jalbert

Established

2004