Opera Piccola ('Small Works')

Address

303 Hudson St.

Oakland, CA 94618

Telephone: (510) 658-0967 Fax: (510) 658-0927

Website: www.opera-piccola.org

Email: info@opera-piccola.org

Contacts

CEO: Ben Frandzel

Other contacts: Susannah Wood, Artistic Director (510) 658-0967 x303 susannah@opera-piccola.org Justa Mui, ArtGate Program Coordinator (510) 658-0967 x304 justa@opera-piccola.org

Year Incorporated: 1989

Category:

Lead Agency (coordinator and manager of comprehensive multi-organization afterschool program)

Service Provider

In addition to providing Artist-in-Residence programs through our ArtGate program, we also provide arts-based professional development for both arts and non-arts teachers.

Mission Statement:

Opera Piccola is a company of artists that provides multiple opportunities for people of all ages to participate in the arts. We bring interactive new, original theater based on stories of diverse cultures to audiences that might not otherwise discover the magic of live performance. In our education programs youth express their deepest ideas through art and gain the experience of being seen, heard, valued and valuing the creativity of others. Developing an inclusive, accessible body of work in all our programs, we return to the literal meaning of opera as 'works' by creating art that crosses discipline boundaries and celebrates cultures around the world.

History/Goals/Objectives:

Opera Piccola ('Small Works') was founded in 1989 with the mission of bringing the arts to underserved communities. It has evolved into a mid-size repertory theater company that serves an audience of over 30,000 through 150 performances each year, presenting original productions based on stories from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Central America, and the US. Since 1993, we have also provided long-term, in-depth artist residencies in the Oakland public schools through our ArtGate Artist-in-Residence program. We have developed a unique, youth-driven methodology that has been recognized by both the California Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts as a model in the field of arts education. The program has grown from a single drama residency to over 130 residencies in 2005-06 serving over 1,500 public school youth in grades K-12, with programs in Drama, Poetry/Spoken Word, Visual Art, Photography, Comic Book Art, Traditional Mexican Art, Music, and African and Hip-Hop Dance.

Target Populations:

Elementary

Middle

High

We bring the arts to underserved communities, in both our arts education programs and our free public performances.

Staff Capacity: 12

There are 4 full-time staff and 30 part-time teachers.

Language Capacity (other than English): Spanish

Organizational Operating Budget: $500,000 - $1 Million

Geographic Areas Served (current):

District 1 (North Oakland- Rockridge, Temescal, Claremont)

District 3 (West Oakland/Downtown - West Oakland, Jack London)

District 4 (East Oakland - Dimond, Laurel, Montclair, Joaquin Miller)

District 5 (East Oakland - Fruitvale)

District 6 (East Oakland - Millsmont, Hillcrest, Leona Quarry)

District 7 (East Oakland - Coliseum)

Geographic Areas for Expanded Service:

District 2 (East Oakland - China Town, East Lake, Grand Lake, San Antonio)