City of Oakland Continues Innovative Cultural Strategists-In-Government Program for Third Cycle

credit: Scribd

"Here in Oakland, artists really try to reflect the pulse of the people," says Kev Choice.

That's one reason the city of Oakland, Calif., is hiring six new cultural strategists to help solve some of the city's biggest problems, including school absenteeism, public safety, and cultural legacy in a shifting city, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The "Cultural Strategists in Government" program, a joint effort by the California Arts Council and San Francisco Foundation, will place the strategists in city departments and the offices of elected officials from 2021 to 2023.

"These projects represent a unique approach to civic engagement through collaborative efforts to address issues that include school absenteeism, public safety, and cultural legacy in a shifting city," says Roberto Bedoya, who leads the program.

The strategists will "bring new perspectives to how the City addresses some of the civic challenges we face," Bedoya says.

"The Cultural Strategists will foster a sense of belonging among our diverse and vibrant community that supports our lives together as Oaklanders," adds Choice.

The six new strategists are: Elo Almaraz working with the office of Councilmember Fortunato Bas, District 2Rashida Chase working with the office of Fife, District 3Charles Johnson working with the office of the Mayor

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