The SHADE Mission

The Shadetree Historical Artisan Development Engine was formed by the residents of Shadetree in 2016 as part of our campaign to purchase and preserve this property. Having successfully navigated those waters, our goal is now to continue our preservation efforts while we share what we’ve learned along the way—educating and assisting our fellow creative communities in their own efforts to preserve their unique way of life. We believe that homegrown live/work spaces like ours provide a key component to a city’s cultural development and are deserving of proper attention, care and support.

“Shadetree is now an important model for other communities of artists trying to find the wherewithal to buy their building in Oakland.”

–Kelley Kahn / City of Oakland policy director for art spaces

Our Achievements

We have documented the lengthy process of purchasing the property and have made excellent contacts within the city government and private sector. In 2018, we received a stewardship award from the Oakland Heritage Alliance and that same year KQED chronicled our achievement, which was later featured on NPR. Currently, Shadetree is an active participant in the Oakland/St-Denis sister city program which seeks to solve a host of common issues that revolve around affordable housing, cultural preservation and financial inequity. We are proud to have become a much-needed case study for tenants looking to come together, engage with their community, and secure housing which is affordable and suitable to their lifestyles. 

We have also published a photo book, thanks to Oakland artist Constance Hockaday, which documents our curious, storied and circuitous existence.  Contact Us for more information or to order a copy.

How You Can Help

OUTREACH

Somewhere out there is an organization or individual looking to make a direct impact in Oakland in the areas of affordable housing, artist live-work spaces and cultural heritage preservation.  Maybe it's someone you know.  Tell them about us!  Shadetree represents all of these important issues and sits squarely in the impending shadow of Oakland’s Brooklyn Basin project, a massive $1.5B condominium development project which has been met with mixed reviews from the Oakland community, to say the least.  We believe that purchasing and preserving Shadetree has the potential to spark much more innovative development practices here on the Oakland waterfront than what is currently being proposed.  For those with a philanthropic heart and a love for the greater good, Shadetree is an excellent story to be a part of.

roll up your sleeves

We have a lot of work to do in the coming months and welcome all lovers of Shadetree who want to lend a helping hand.  For more information on what lay ahead and how we got here, please email us at info@shadetreeartisans.org or call (312) 404-6204.

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