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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. What is happening with existing Oakland Unified School District commitments?

The board has contacted a number of our OUSD partners about the closure and its impact on existing commitments.

  1. Why can’t The Crucible continue scheduled classes and team-building events to bring in revenue?

Even with anticipated revenue, The Crucible did not have the cash available to cover costs and still meet its other obligations, including payroll for staff.

  1. Some students say they were unaware of the closure. How were they notified?

All enrolled students were sent a closure notice at the email address they provided when registering. Students who have not seen the notice should check that account, including its spam or junk folder.

  1. Are donors’ recurring donations still being collected?

Recurring credit card donations have been turned off.

  1. What was The Crucible’s relationship with AFSCME before the closure?

The Crucible voluntarily recognized AFSCME union and has bargained in good faith with the union. Since January, bargaining meetings have generally taken place monthly.  As early as August, The Crucible shared financial information with the union, including financial projections, and repeatedly communicated the seriousness of its financial challenges and the potential risk to continued operations.

  1. What happens next with AFSCME?

The Crucible acted quickly and communicated with the union, and will continue to fulfill bargaining obligations.

Thank you for your patience, your care for one another, and everything you have contributed to The Crucible.

With gratitude,

The Board of Directors
The Crucible