Art is not a luxury; for many of the people we serve, it is a lifeline.
ARTogether Center in downtown Oakland is a place that newcomers from across the world gather to make art, share stories, and find a sense of home. Afghan mothers, young refugee artists, and longtime Oaklanders exchange laughter, memories, and colors that carry pieces of their journeys.
For many who have resettled in the Bay Area, these gatherings offer more than art. They offer peace. They offer friendship. They offer belonging.
Over the past nine years, ARTogether has become that home; a place where creativity and community intertwine. Here, young people have painted their first self-portraits after arriving in the U.S., parents have rediscovered joy through shared artmaking, and artists have rebuilt careers after years of displacement.
It has taken years to build this home. And now, we are in danger of losing it.
In 2025, nearly half of ARTogether’s funding disappeared as national, state, and city programs that once supported the arts, immigrant communities, and DEI work were cut. The change has been devastating. For an organization serving immigrant and refugee artists, youth, and families, these losses strike at the very heart of our mission.
Within the next few months, we will need to make difficult decisions about what programs we can continue and what we must let go of. Each choice feels like heartbreak, because behind every program are people whose lives are transformed by this work.
When I come to this workshop, I learn many things. My mental health was not good, but after working with paint and colors, I saw a great deal of impact on me. It increased my self-esteem and gave me the confidence to speak and share my ideas; something I was scared to do since I came to the U.S.
For some, art is a passion. For others, it is survival. That’s why I am asking for help in two ways:
- Donate: If you are able to make a personal contribution, your donation will directly keep our programs alive.
- Connect Us: If you know a potential major donor, corporate sponsor, or funder who believes that art can change lives, please introduce us. Your connection could make all the difference.
We are doing everything we can: cutting costs, seeking in-kind support, planning new partnerships and fundraising auctions, but this moment requires more than resilience. It demands community action and shared responsibility.
“As a first-generation immigrant, I left behind my homeland, family, friends, and much more to start anew in the U.S. ARTogether serves as a crucial refuge for those seeking to establish themselves here. It has been a game-changer and a lifeline for many.”
— Dalar Alahverdi, Visual Artist
Even in this difficult season, I still believe in the power of art to connect us; to help us see one another and find meaning in times of loss. I believe that new growth is possible, even when the branches look bare.
With your partnership, ARTogether can continue to be a place where creativity, belonging, and hope take root again and again.
If you can connect us with a potential donor, sponsor, or funder, please reach out to me directly at leva[@]artogether.org.
If you are able to make a personal contribution, you can do so [here].
Together, we can keep this home alive.
Leva Zand
Executive Director, ARTogether