Our Legacy
Initially established as 100 Families Oakland, the program was founded in 2004 by F. Noel Perry, artist and venture capitalist, who was inspired by Mildred Howard's artwork Wild, Wild West: 21st c. Series, responding to 114 murders that took place in Oakland in 2003. Perry who viewed Howard's work at the Oakland Museum was moved to act. Believing in the transformative power of art and the relationship of strong families to healthy communities, Perry envisioned the program as a counterpoint to escalating violence in Oakland neighborhoods. "If we can strengthen the family," said Perry, "maybe we can strengthen the neighborhood, then maybe the city, and reduce the violence. Just the act of picking up a paint brush can alter a person's self-esteem and change their outlook." In 2007, the Oakland Museum organized an exhibition entitled 100 Families Oakland: Art & Social Change, celebrating the creative vision of families and communities working together.
Mr. Perry partnered with the California College of the Arts' (CCA) Center for Art and Public Life to initiate the program and establish a 100Families Leadership Team, which he continues to chair. In 2007, the Alameda County Office of Education's Alliance for Arts Learning Leadership (AALL) became a partner, and the program was expandedby offering activities at public school sites. Under the new management of the Alameda County Arts Commission the program continues to be strengthened and is expanding beyond Oakland to reach many communities throughout Alameda County.
In 2010, capitalizing on the success and growing popularity of the program, 100 Families Alameda County: Art and Social Change was founded, anchoring administrative responsibility and leadership for the initiative within Alameda County Arts Commission with the goal of expanding the reach of the program to communities throughout the county.
The Arts Commission continues the partnership with Mr. Perry, CCA, AALL, and the 100 Families Leadership Team. Most recently, the Arts Commission developed a new partnership between the Foundation for the Arts in Alameda County and Alameda County's New Beginnings Program, which works with at-risk youth. Broadening the spectrum of partners forges a strong and vital connection between the 100 Families program and Alameda County's overall commitment to innovative and visionary programs. The program contributes to the larger vision to make Alameda County one of the best counties in which to live, work, and do business while celebrating families, helping neighbors feel connected to one another, and fostering safe neighborhoods and thriving communities.
100 Families Alameda County: Art and Social Change is maintaining the key components of the original 100 Families Oakland program, which include diverse and intergenerational families participating in a series of visual and/or performing arts workshop sessions led by local, community-engaged teaching artists; opportunities for group engagement and conversation; communal neighborhood dining; and a culminating event that celebrates the accomplishments of the families and their neighborhoods. Additionally, 100 Families Alameda County is looking for ways to engage families from diverse ethnic groups, including high percentages of families with non-parental caregivers, families whose income falls below the poverty line, and where English is not the primary language. 100 Families Alameda County began its first phase of community engagement in the Summer of 2010.
