Fall Tour & Toast Mixer - Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts

Tour & Toast: Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts

Step inside one of Oakland’s most iconic historic venues at BOMA Oakland/East Bay’s Fall Tour & Toast at the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts. Located near Lake Merritt, the historic property has served as a gathering place for performances and events for nearly a century and now features five unique event spaces.

During this behind-the-scenes tour, participants will explore the building’s rich history, learn about the challenges of updating a historic property while meeting modern building codes and operational requirements, and gain insight into the work involved in preserving its character while adapting it for today’s use. The tour will provide a unique look at the building’s past, present, and ongoing evolution.

Learner Outcomes:

• Explore the history and significance of the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts.
• Understand the challenges and considerations involved in updating a historic building to meet modern building codes and requirements.
• Tour the facility and gain firsthand insight into its history, unique features, and continued use as an Oakland cultural and events destination.

Schedule

2:45 pm - 3:00 pm Check-in
3:00 - 4:30 pm Site Introduction & Tour
4:45 - 5:30 pm Networking at Mad Oak Bar 'N" Yard

This is a member-only event. Members may bring one guest from their company or another BOMA Oakland/East Bay member organization. To ensure as many members as possible have the opportunity to attend, we are limiting registration to two representatives per company.

Tour Guides

James Sherwin, Production Director

James Sherwin is an Oakland native with multiple decades of experience in the production and event space, working with the likes of SZA, Barack Obama, Randy Newman, Steph Curry, Wynton Marsalis, Dionne Warwick, and the WuTang Clan. He has been involved in the remodel of the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts since 2018. After joining the project full time in 2021, he has deepened his involvement in a multitude of ways, contributing to the building’s success through his expertise in production, A.V., facilities, and management. He currently plays the role of Production Director, using his years of technical experience to help bring our events to life.

Adam Griffin, Executive Operations Assistant

Adam Griffin is a Bay Area-based nonprofit professional that plays a key role in the management and operation of the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts. He joined the project in 2025 and currently serves as the organization’s Executive Operations Assistant. Working closely with the Chief Operating Officer, he contributes to a variety of the Center’s operations-based services, including facilities management, F&B coordination, permitting, event management, and program design and expansion. Since joining the project, Adam has worked to build relationships with multiple community partners and has helped facilitate events featuring guests like Kamala Harris, Jamie Foxx, and Dr. Angela Davis, using his experience to help bring arts and events entertainment to all Oaklanders.