Blog Archives - The Crucible

Message from the Board

2026-10-30T19:57:42-07:00

Dear Crucible Teachers, Students, Alumni, Staff, and Friends,

Thank you to everyone who has reached out with questions, concerns, and offers of support following this week’s announcement of The Crucible’s temporary closure. We know this news has been painful and confusing. For more than 27 years, The Crucible has been a creative home for artists, makers, students, and families. We share your sadness and uncertainty about its future.

Our immediate priorities are supporting staff and evaluating options for The Crucible’s future. The board has been meeting nightly, and Monday a board member provided a personal loan to help fund this week’s payroll. All payroll and PTO earned through the last day of work has been paid out.

The Crucible has faced serious financial challenges for several years. We have discussed those challenges publicly and with staff and the AFSCME union while working to find a sustainable path forward. This year brought some signs of recovery, and we were hopeful. Unfortunately, that progress was not enough to stabilize the organization and prevent this closure.

We recognize that those earlier discussions did not lessen the shock of this announcement. We are sorry for the hardship and disruption it has caused. Behind every class, project, and staff position is a person whose work, livelihood, and connection to this community matter.

Several people have also asked about the board’s role. Board members are volunteers and donors, including makers, Crucible students, and people with experience leading other nonprofits. We are not owners or shareholders. No board member has an ownership stake in The Crucible or its building. We serve because we love this organization and believe in its mission. We take seriously our responsibility to help determine what comes next.

Staff received a separate communication yesterday regarding arrangements for retrieving personal belongings and projects. Other than through these arrangements, nothing has been removed from the building.

We are evaluating every available option for The Crucible’s future. We cannot yet say when or whether reopening will be possible, but we remain committed to this community and will share updates as we have more information.

We have received many questions from people who care about The Crucible, and we understand the need for clear, practical information. Below are answers to frequently asked questions. Where details are still being finalized, we will provide additional information as soon as it is available.

When can people retrieve their personal belongings and projects?

Staff received a separate communication yesterday regarding arrangements for retrieving personal belongings and projects. Other than through these arrangements, nothing has been removed from the building.

What is happening with GIFTY? Have vendors been notified?

All events, including Gifty, are canceled. We are working to notify vendors and provide information about the cancellation. Our first priority has been securing funding for employee payroll.

What is happening with existing Oakland Unified School District commitments?

The board has

Message from the Board2026-10-30T19:57:42-07:00

KQED Heavy Metal: Industrial Artisan Fair

2026-10-23T10:13:40-07:00

Step into The Crucible’s West Oakland warehouse for the Heavy Metal: Industrial Artisan Fair, an exploration of raw material and refined craft, hosted in a space built for both.

KQED Heavy Metal: Industrial Artisan Fair2026-10-23T10:13:40-07:00

Hot Art Halloween Iron Pour 2026

2026-10-20T16:55:21-07:00

Join us Saturday, October 31, for an unforgettable Iron Pour at The Crucible! Watch our Foundry team transform over 1,000 pounds of solid iron into molten metal, then cast it into incredible works of art. Experience the heat, sparks, and teamwork up close—it’s a spectacular reminder of how everyday objects are made.

Hot Art Halloween Iron Pour 20262026-10-20T16:55:21-07:00

Gather & Make: Fused Glass Sugar Skull (October)

2026-10-21T09:20:10-07:00

Celebrate Día de los Muertos by creating a one-of-a-kind fused glass sugar skull. No experience required. Ages 7+

Gather & Make: Fused Glass Sugar Skull (October)2026-10-21T09:20:10-07:00

The Crucible Partners with Coro California to Support Young Leaders

2026-09-03T14:59:12-07:00

This summer, through a partnership with Coro California’s Exploring Leadership program, The Crucible welcomed Collin, a rising junior at Groton School, for a summer internship supporting our social media work. The experience gave Collin an opportunity to build his leadership skills while gaining hands-on experience at a Bay Area arts and education institution.

Outside the classroom, Collin enjoys organizing school events, throwing javelin, and playing classical music. He’s involved in his school’s Speaker’s Committee, Sustainability Committee, Track and Field team, and Rocket Club, and volunteers with the Special Olympics. Through Coro, he hoped to learn how to build meaningful relationships across diverse groups and become a more intentional, community-oriented leader.

At The Crucible, Collin joined our efforts to strengthen and revive our social media presence. He researched social media best practices and looked at how similar organizations engage their audiences, helping our team identify ways to sharpen our own approach. He also gained hands-on experience creating and preparing social posts, exploring both the strategic and creative sides of nonprofit marketing.

For Collin, the internship was more than a summer project. It offered real-world exposure to a mission-driven cultural institution and a chance to grow his skills, confidence, and professional network. He left with practical experience in social media strategy and content, as well as a better understanding of how an organization builds its public voice.

The Crucible and Coro California are proud of what this partnership made possible. Investing in young leaders like Collin is an investment in the future of the Bay Area — its nonprofits, arts institutions, and civic life.

“Years ago, Collin created a skateboard at The Crucible. Today, we’re grateful for his insights and proud to be part of his leadership journey. Thank you, Collin and Coro California for keeping our communities moving forward together!” —Julio Cabanillas, Social Media and Omnichannel Lead, The Crucible

“With Exploring Leadership, we put a strong emphasis on experiential learning. Youth Fellows get the chance to build their skills and immediately put them into practice through these placement experiences. It’s because of partners like The Crucible that youth can step into the professional world and be challenged to grow in ways they may not have considered before.” —Omar Leal, Director, Programs and Training, Coro California

About Coro California’s “Exploring Leadership” Program

Coro California Exploring Leadership Program: 2026 Cohort

Among Coro California’s offerings, Exploring Leadership is a transformative summer youth leadership program for Bay Area high schoolers. Exploring Leadership trains high school students to become active citizens and assume leadership roles in their communities. Meet this year’s cohort. Through a set of Coro’s signature training modules, the program provides hands-on training in critical thinking, goal setting, and leading groups. A central part of that training is a professional internship placement, giving fellows the chance to apply what they’re learning inside a real organization.

About Coro California

The Crucible Partners with Coro California to Support Young Leaders2026-09-03T14:59:12-07:00

Gather & Make: Coral Glass Bowl (SEP 17)

2026-09-23T11:50:38-07:00

Turn colorful strips of glass into a beautiful, one-of-a-kind bowl. Experiment with color and pattern as you arrange the glass into your own unique design.

Gather & Make: Coral Glass Bowl (SEP 17)2026-09-23T11:50:38-07:00

Gather & Make: Fused Glass Suncatcher (SEP 5)

2026-09-08T09:30:10-07:00

Create a colorful glass suncatcher featuring flowers, butterflies, and garden-inspired designs using a selection of premade glass elements.

Gather & Make: Fused Glass Suncatcher (SEP 5)2026-09-08T09:30:10-07:00

Gather & Make: Oakland Ballers Glass & Coaster (AUG 20)

2026-09-04T22:21:49-07:00

Cheer on Oakland's hometown team while creating your own baseball-inspired glass art!

Gather & Make: Oakland Ballers Glass & Coaster (AUG 20)2026-09-04T22:21:49-07:00

Mosaic Heart Rocks (JUL 16)

2026-09-04T22:22:01-07:00

Create a vibrant mosaic heart for a loved one or to brighten your garden. Unwind and get into a creative flow as you design and assemble your heart—no mosaic experience required.

Mosaic Heart Rocks (JUL 16)2026-09-04T22:22:01-07:00

2025 Annual Report

2026-06-30T10:06:09-07:00

Message from the Board President

When I joined The Crucible’s board in early 2023, I did not know we were about to spend two years holding on. The challenges that defined 2023 and 2024 are well documented. What matters is that the organization made it through, and that we did so without losing what makes The Crucible so special.

The turning point came mid-2025, when long-delayed federal tax credit funds finally arrived. We had a choice: we could use the money to extend life support, or we could lean in and rebuild. We chose to rebuild, and this report shows what we’ve already been able to accomplish on that path.

We reconnected with longtime contributors and sharpened how we communicate with our 40,000 constituents about classes and giving. We filled every senior staff vacancy. We recognized AFSCME as the union representing our employees. The Board welcomed new members and launched an active Marketing Committee, with Facilities, Programs, and Development committees slated to follow.

That work was reflected throughout our programs. We were named Best Summer Camp in the East Bay for the second consecutive year and fulfilled grant-funded initiatives that brought more youth into the arts while expanding community bike services. Donor support helped fund upgrades to our glass shop, cold shop, and smithy, and laid the groundwork for a new digital fabrication studio. We also strengthened partnerships with the City of Oakland, the Oakland Ballers, and the 7th Street associations that help our neighborhood thrive.

In November we met a five-digit challenge match that encouraged new contributors to step up. By the end of the year, we were in discussions with two key foundations, about a six-digit challenge match that launched in January 2026, and another six-digit investment to restore staff capacity. Hopefully you heard about and participated in those earlier this year.

Even with the huge progress in 2025, we still have a lot of work ahead. The Crucible’s purpose — in Oakland, for our students, and for the industrial arts community worldwide — is bigger than any single year of recovery. But for the first time in a long time, we are back on our front foot.

None of this works without you taking classes, giving, volunteering, bringing your teams in for a project, and telling your friends — that’s what sustains the industrial arts in this community. Thank you.

—B Astrella, President of the Board

DOWNLOAD 2025 ANNUAL REPORT

2025 Annual Report2026-06-30T10:06:09-07:00