The Crucible, the West Oakland nonprofit a 27-year-old industrial arts school, has suspended operations and canceled classes until further notice.
In an email sent Saturday, Oct. 24, interim executive director Doug Yeiser cited "serious financial circumstances," KQED reported. More than 150 staff and faculty were told to stop working. The board was scheduled to meet Oct. 26 and 27 to decide next steps.
Development manager Olivia Hara told KQED that student projects remain inside the building, leaving students and artists unsure when they can collect their work.
Union says its ideas were ignored
Workers at the 27-year-old organization unionized in early 2026 as The Dedicated Cru, part of AFSCME Council 57. The union said it had offered cost-cutting proposals that leadership ignored, and pointed to more than $1.5 million in recent grants, according to Focal News.
No reopening date has been announced.