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Help us reach our ambitious $50,000 goal 

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Facing a Crisis with Creativity and a Smile

This year, the West End Arts District has been a testament to what creativity, collaboration, and community can achieve. From the In Plain Site Photography Festival to the 8th Annual Blues, Brews & BBQ, we've seen the power of art to lift spirits and forge connections.

2025 Accomplishments:

  • More than 9,000 people experienced our programs in 2025

  • Over 500 young people engaged in arts enrichment

  • 70 artists found opportunities to share their work

  • More than 30 local partners supported our events

  • Brought thousands of visitors to the west end, strengthening Alameda's local economy

We are preparing our most ambitious program yet.

Ocean Arts 2026 will fuse artistic excellence with social impact, extending Alameda's creative reach beyond the Island. We're bringing the U.S. premiere of Ocean Photographer of the Year—an internationally acclaimed exhibit—to Alameda and building partnerships from Los Angeles to Portland for a west-coast tour. We're also expanding our local work through DeepDIVE, a full immersive performance of projection, dance, and music that invites audiences into awe, wonder, and ocean action.

But we must also share a harder truth: we've lost over $60,000 in grant and operational funding this year. The public and institutional support that sustained us isn't coming through. To keep bringing bold, joyful, thought-provoking art to our community, community support is essential to our future success.

This end-of-year fundraising campaign is our lifeline—and we're meeting this moment with heart, humor, and unshakable creativity.

Thank you for your support,
Tara Pilbrow, Executive Director

Tara Pilbrow, Executive Director of West End Arts District, shares our ambitious plans for 2026.

Join the WEAD Champion Challenge! 

Circus fans? Music lovers? Just enjoy being blown away by the sheer athleticism of these performers...

We have four premium tickets (value of $440) for Cirque de Soleil’s production of ECHO at Oracle Park up for grabs.

Sign up as a fundraising team to compete for our Cirque du Soleil tickets!

  • Each team can include up to 4 fundraising crusaders and the rules are simple. Reach out to your communities, into your pockets, host an event, sell lemonade… get creative and competitive.  We’ll provide inspiring stories and photos to feed your motivational speeches and emails.
     

  • The team that raises the most money for West End Arts District by December 20th will enjoy a night of poetry, stagecraft, daring acrobatics, and cutting-edge technology with the mindblowing Cirque de Soleil.
     

  • For the runners up, you’re invited to a festive dinner at the house of WEAD Executive Director, Tara Pilbrow.
     

  • For everyone else, get a WEAD festival T-shirt of your choice and mountains of gratitude. :)

Step by step instructions on how to sign up and more info are HERE.

You’ll be hearing more from us about the campaign, our matching partners, and our visions for 2026, but for now... gather your teammates, map out your strategy, and let’s make end of year fundraising a team sport!

Other Ways to Make a Tax-Deductible Donation

PayPal

PayPal, Credit/Debit Card
Donate here

Venmo

@westendartsdistrict
Then send an us an email so we can send your donation receipt.

Mail a Check

ATTN: West End Arts District, 1453 Webster Street, Alameda, CA 94501

Donors and Sponsors will receive a written acknowledgment of your gift by mail which serves as your receipt for tax purposes. West End Arts and Entertainment District is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable under current IRS regulations. Our Federal Tax ID number is 81-1374719. If you have any questions about your contribution, please contact us at info@westendartsdistrict.org.

Companies: Become an Annual Program Sponsor

Sponsor support helps WEAD offer free public events enjoyed by more than 7000 people every year. We provide paid working opportunities for more than 50 local artists as well as offering fiscal sponsorship opportunities for artists wanting to work in Alameda.

Strengthen you company profile while supporting Bay Area artists and local community events. West End Arts District digital communications network spreads throughout the East Bay, reaching more than 2000 people. Contact us to discuss how a Sponsorship could benefit you while supporting the arts.

SPONSOR WEAD

Donate Time or Resources

If you want to volunteer your time or resources (ie. products, services), please fill out the form below.