Oakland International Airport and The Oakland Museum of California

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Cyndy Johnson-Oakland Int'l Airport (510) 577-4271 Shirleen Schermerhorn, Oakland Museum of California (510) 238-3402

Oakland, CA, August 18, 1999 - Oakland International Airport and the Oakland Museum of California recently formed a unique partnership to create and display museum-quality exhibits at the airport. The five-year, $1.6 million partnership will provide a revolving arts and historical exhibition program similar to those on display at other airports across the country.

"This partnership ties together the best of what each organization does," said Steve Grossman, director of Aviation. "The Oakland Museum of California is the finest museum of its kind in California and has an international reputation. Oakland International Airport is known for providing the best service at the best fares for business and pleasure travelers, alike. Together, we’ll create a visual message that promotes the vitality of the region we serve."

"Airports everywhere are doing more to make their spaces visitor friendly," said Dennis Power, executive director of the Oakland Museum of California. "With the large collections of California artworks and artifacts held by the museum, and given our expertise in preparing exhibits, our partnership is a natural."Currently on display through October 3 is Cowboy Up!, a historical exploration of cowboys in California that reflects the cultural diversity of the cowboy heritage. Cowboy Up! is featured at two locations at Oakland International Airport – in the connector walkway between Terminals One and Two, and on both sides of the ramp leading to the security checkpoint in Terminal One.

Future exhibits will be evaluated and selected by a committee comprised of Museum curators and staff, Airport staff and community members. The exhibit space will be upgraded to museum-quality standards after the close of Cowboy Up!, and the next exhibit will be up in time for the busy holiday season.

"Oakland International Airport is the gateway to the East Bay and the greater San Francisco Bay Area," said John Loh, president of the Port of Oakland Board of Port Commissioners. "The exhibits will showcase our region’s rich history and diversity, a quality of which we are very proud."

Oakland International Airport served more than 9.2 million passengers in 1998. The airport has more than 160 flights per day on 11 domestic and international carriers and consistently has the best on-time arrival and departure record of all three Bay Area airports, according to statistics kept by the Department of Transportation. Visit the airport’s web site at www.oaklandairport.com and the OMCA web site at www.museumca.org for more information.