What if I get hungry and thirsty?
While free snacks and beverages are common at art receptions, do not expect all art murmur spaces to provide them. Unfortunately, there are no food vendors on 23rd St. during art murmur. We encourage you to check out nearby restaurants and bars or bring your own snacks and drinks. Please be aware that consumption of alcoholic beverages outdoors in public view is against local law, and that art murmur has had problems with "the authorities" in the past because of this.
I need some directions.
Ok. BART - Get off at the 19th St./Downtown Oakland station. Go north. Or get off at MacArthur station. Go east towards Telegraph. Most art murmur spaces are within walking distance (5 to 10 blocks) of the 19th St. and MacArthur BART stations. Here's the BART website. BUS - The AC Transit 40 line goes up and down Telegraph Ave. It will take you to most of the galleries. The 51 line goes on Broadway and the 72 goes on San Pablo (up to blankspace and Compound Gallery.) Check the AC Transit website for schedules. CAR - Parking is limited around many of the art murmur galleries, even if you're willing to pay. We recommend public transit or bicycle as the least frustrating means of transportation to the larger clusters of galleries.
Will there be a murmur this month?
Yes. There is an art murmur every first friday of the month - rain or shine. Not every gallery is open every first friday, especially if it falls on or near a holiday. We recommend that you check individual gallery websites.
What time does murmur start?
most art murmur galleries are open from 6 to 9 p.m. on the first friday of every month. some are open earlier, others are open later. It is best to check the individual gallery websites for the most accurate information.
Can I perform on 23rd street?
Most definitely. Just send an email to 23rdstperformance_at_oaklandartmurmur_dot_com with the subject:"First Friday Performance". tell us:
- What is your performance - are you a band, a theater troup, an orchestra, a dance troupe, or whatever else you can think of to describe yourself. how many performers are in your group?
- How long will your performance last - all performances need to end by 9pm just so ya know. do you need time to setup and break down?
- Will you be bringing equipment - if this is amplified, are you bringing power? are you bringing anything big like a stage?
- Can you help clean up - we like it when people help us clean up at the end of the night.
Can I set up a table on 23rd street?
Why of course you can. There are some stipulations to note:
- Let us know - send an email to 23rdst _at_ oaklandartmurmur _dot_ com and the 23rd st coordinator will let you know if there's room and work with you on the day of the event to find a space for you.
- Bring a table and chairs - Rock Paper Scissors has a limited number of tables and chairs that people can use but they aren't guaranteed.
- Clean up - be prepared to break down and help clean up the street at 9pm.
May I post my event on your website?
Certainly you may. Just go to the Event Submission page. All we ask is that your event is in oakland. In order to avoid spam, a site administrator will need to approve your event before it goes up for everyone to see.
Can my space join Art Murmur?
we have been receiving a number of requests from interested galleries and other businesses and while we really appreciate the positive response we feel that there is a need for guidelines to keep art murmur going strong. In brief, our guidelines for membership are: be a physical space open to the public, exhibit visual art with exhibitions that change regularly, and be located within our geographic boundaries. Please download and read our guidelines if you are interested in joining art murmur.
Press Contacts
For press inquiries, please contact:
- Sarah Lockhart (21 Grand) - 21grand _at_ 21grand _dot_ org or
- Our general info contact at whatsup _at_ oaklandartmurmur _dot_ com
Former Members
33 Grand, Abco Artspace, Afterglow, Auto 3321, Boontling Gallery, Ego Park, Esteban Sabar Gallery, Fort, Industrielle, Luka's Taproom & Lounge, Nonesuch Space, Rowan Morrison, Well Space & Gallery, Wow Gallery.
Our History
Oakland Art Murmur began as an acknowledgment by eight arts spaces located in the Northgate and Temescal neighborhoods that a cooperative effort to promote the arts in the region would garner more attention for their individual visual art programs. This led to the monthly First Friday art walks, at which all participating spaces hold concurrent receptions. The first Oakland Art Murmur occurred in January 2006. The oaklandartmurmur.com website soon expanded to list exhibitions and cultural activities outside of those of Art Murmur members. Art Murmur membership continues to grow, and First Fridays are capitalized on by neighboring businesses and arts spaces unaffiliated with the Oakland Art Murmur. Attracting gangs of bicyclists, BART riders and car-poolers from across the Bay Bridge or beyond the Caldecott tunnel, the Oakland Art Murmur continues to see growing attendance and community support. The First Friday art walk has grown to include street performances, one night only art installations, activists raising money and awareness for local social service organizations and political initiatives. The history of the Oakland Art Murmur also highlights the quickly changing landscape of Oakland arts spaces. Of the original eight members: 21 Grand, 33 Grand, Auto 3321, Boontling Gallery, Buzz Gallery, Ego Park, Front Gallery, and Rock Paper Scissors Collective, half have since closed.
Our Mission
Oakland Art Murmur is a coalition of art and cultural venues dedicated to increasing popular awareness of and participation in the arts in Oakland, with an emphasis on visual art. We promote visual art in Oakland through collective marketing and outreach efforts and our monthly First Friday events, which are open to the public and attended by hundreds of local and visiting art enthusiasts.
