Oakland Museum of California

Whether you’re drawn to California’s history, curious about its diverse geography, or captivated by the state’s culture and arts, there’s one place where you can see it all – the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA). This multidisciplinary museum has always been a place where the stories of California can be told from many points of view, and after a much-anticipated reopening in May of 2010, those stories can be shared with the public on a whole new level.

OMCA’s renovation and expansion, designed by San Francisco architectural firm Mark Cavagnero Associates, includes new exhibition space, an enhanced theater and lecture hall, an expanded store, and a new café. Originally created as a “museum for the people” in 1969, the revitalized campus better fulfills its role as a public forum. Visitor-generated content is now available in new art, history, and science exhibits, multilingual wall text reflects the city and state’s demographics, and flexible displays evolve with the help of visitor feedback.

More than 1.8 million objects make up OMCA’s extraordinary collection, making the museum a leading cultural institution and resource. The Gallery of California Art showcases more than 800 works under the themes of California Land, California People and California Creativity. The Gallery of California History includes some 2,200 artifacts and relics from past to present, including the display of a border crossing sign from Caltrans. And still to come in 2012, the new Gallery of California Natural Sciences will highlight the state’s rich biological and geological diversity, as well as its challenges and threats.

A number of new acquisitions were unveiled at the opening, such as art department pieces located in the “Open Space” galleries. In addition, recently acquired media works now have their own gallery space.

Community-centered events at OMCA include a Lunar Year celebration, Black History events and a Days of the Dead celebration. The museum is an easy walk from the Lake Merritt Bart Station.

HelloOakland Tip: Docent tours of the museum are offered daily. You can also take a bicycle tour around Oakland, led by OMCA docents, on the third Sunday of each month beginning at 10 a.m.

- by Renee M. Rutledge, San Francisco Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Renee M. Rutledge

Renee M. Rutledge currently writes articles on local travel and culture for Red Tricycle, Parents' Press, Oakland Magazine, and Alameda Magazine.