Pro Arts Gallery & Commons

Pro Arts Gallery & Commons has been operating in Oakland, California, since May 1974. The Alameda County Neighborhood Arts Program was established later that year, funded by the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA). This law was an extension of the Arts Commission. CETA, a federal employment plan, was controlled by the local county and city governments across the United States during 1974-1981. The Act subsidized artists across the nation and gathered millions of dollars to produce art. Note that CETA was not federally based like the WPA but was under the control of the administration agencies in each county and city across the country. Anuj Vaidya, 3rd-i board member, hosts an Artists Roundtable where he talks about Covid's impact on the Bay Area art, media, and performance scene. Praba Pilar and Natalia Ivanova talk about Reframing Pro Arts Commons. How do Pro Arts Commons meet the need for collective action within the art sector which is decentralized? Do artists and communities share the collective vision of Pro Arts Commons? Our art-law experiment invites your participation. Artists must be in our commons network to modify the terms under which their works can be commodified. Copyright is the legal technology made for artists to exclude others who want to use their work through whatever terms are in their copyright license.

The reviews suggest that the ProArts Gallery and common area is an enjoyable space to visit. The atmosphere is generally pleasant. It is described as warm and welcoming that makes it a good environment for both local and international artists who are always looking for new markets or places to display work. Notably, the website is quick and easy to use to support of Pro Arts’ main mission to guide and support new or artist who are emerging work. Furthermore, The gallery listings that highlight their artists members show commitment to the artist that exhibits at Proarts. One of the best things they do is provide a venue for showing work and professional. That's nice. And they offer free listings for members and show days and weeks on the calendar. The event list with hi lighted events is also useful. What more could you ask for, especially for a post house artist that hasn't yet established a full-blown collecting strategy, other than support that is so supportive of the artist in me. It seems clear that ProArts is engaging with artist and show.