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Frank Bette Center for the Arts
Alameda, California
Description

The Frank Bette Center for the Arts is a creative hub for the community, providing artistic growth and appreciation through a variety of activities and programs. Fulfilling Frank Bette's dream of creating "a place where creative people could have meetings, readings, showings and other doings." To enhance that dream by being an advocate and resource for all to create, enjoy and appreciate the arts.

FBCA is the leading catalyst for community development through art. When you truly know the breadth of our programs, our mission and values you'll be impressed with our vision for the future of our organization and our community. FBCA is the most exciting, proactive and innovative arts organization in our community creating an atmosphere in which the visual and literary arts can thrive.

Making the most of every bit of our limited space, we applaud, educate and inspire. At FBCA, changing each and every month, you'll find fresh vitality in four fascinating exhibits. Starting with our Showcase Gallery celebrating the artistic spirit with salon style thematic exhibits of more than 175 pieces of artwork by over 50 artists. Our Portrait Gallery features the specialized talent of a portraiture. Our Staircase Gallery is a fun venue highlighting youthful creativity. Finally the Signature Salon hosts solo exhibits by talented individual artists, as well as exhibits featuring our schools and other community service organizations.

History

The Frank Bette Center for the Arts was born of the vision of Frank Bette. Frank Bette, immigrated to the US from Germany when he was 25 yrs old. A master antique furniture restorer, this two-story turn of the century Victorian served as his workshop and storefront for over 30 years.

Frank Bette was known to most of the community as the proprietor of a quiet business on a cross-town thoroughfare. In his other persona he was a prolific, multi-talented artist with a heart and mind as big as the world. Though a well loved member of the community, only a handful of people knew he was also a prolific artist - sculpting, painting and writing poetry.

Upon his death in 1999 at age 96, he bequeathed his estate to house a community arts center and steward his life's work. In his words, "a place for meeting, readings, showings, and other creative doings."

Frank Bette left thousands of drawings and paintings, dozen of sculpture pieces, and 5 books of poetry. Frank's legacy is preserved both in the artworks he left us and the vision that is today the Frank Bette Center for the Arts.

Programs

At FBCA, we know the arts are the laboratory for the development and understanding of the creative processes. Creativity is a basic, powerful & defining human capacity. The exercise, expression and appreciation of our creativity is crucial for the health of individuals and communities.

Our strength as a dynamic art center serving our community, is in the outreach and creative partnering with both individuals and organizations. FBCA is especially proud to be an inviting place for people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities by offering engaging programs such as poetry readings, storytelling, visual art exhibits, classes and workshops, art lectures, discussions and demonstrations, musical events, and much more.

Governance

non-profit 501(c)3

Library

Access: General Public

Appointment required: False

Street Address
Frank Bette Center for the Arts
1601 Paru Street, corner of Lincoln Ave
Alameda, CA 94501
Mailing Address
1601 Paru St
Alameda, CA 94501
home page: www.frankbettecenter.org
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MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Virginia Association of Museum's 2025 Annual Conference!

March 15 - 18, 2025

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Saturday, March 15 - Tuesday, March 18, 2025

The Inn at Virginia Tech

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Hosted by: Virginia Association of Museums

2025 Conference Theme: Looking Back to the Future For the past several years, many museums have been deeply involved in planning programs and events to observe the 250th birthday of the United States of America. While this is certainly an occasion to celebrate, this anniversary also forces us as a society to reckon with ongoing inequities and challenges within the US that go back to its inception. As museums ask their audiences to look to the past to understand the present and shape a better future, perhaps now is a good moment in time for Virginia’s museum community to take pause and look back at its own history. We are excited to see you in Blacksburg in March 2025 as we take a moment in our hectic schedules to take pause and visit our diverse pasts. Let’s uncover and share our histories to build a more resilient Virginia museum community.

Ohio Museum Asociation 2025 Annual Conference - Athens

March 29 - 31, 2025

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Saturday, March 29 - Monday, March 31, 2025

TBA

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Hosted by: Ohio Museums Association

"Innovation: Museums and Reaching our Potential

The heart of innovation is transformation – shaking up our established way of doing things by introducing new methods, new ideas, and new approaches to both obstacles and opportunities

Museums across Ohio are not just adapting, but innovating to reach their full potential and better serve their communities. No matter their role, museum professionals are introducing forward-thinking perspectives and initiating creative solutions to launch the field into a future where museums can remain trusted and relevant community cornerstones

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Join us in Athens, March 29-31 as we explore these topics and more at the 2025 Ohio Museums Association’s Annual Conference: Innovation: Museums and Reaching our Potential.

For more information, please email oma@ohiohistory.org.

North Carolina Museums Council 2025 Annual Conference

March 30 - 31, 2025

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Sunday, March 30 - Monday, March 31, 2025

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Hosted by: North Carolina Museums Council

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By facilitating discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities, the conference will empower current and future museum professionals and to expand their impact, embrace new challenges, and create meaningful connections with their audiences and communities.

Arkansas Museums Association 2025 Conference

March 31 - April 3, 2025

Washington, Arkansas

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Monday, March 31 - Thursday, April 3, 2025

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Hosted by: Arkansas Museums Association

"From the Ground Up: Cultivating Essential Skills in Museums

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For more information, please email arkansasmuseums@gmail.com.

New York Museum Association 2025 Conference in Ithaca, NY

April 5 - 8, 2025

Ithaca, New York

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Saturday, April 5 - Tuesday, April 8, 2025

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