Oakland School for the Arts

Pathways Coordinator

"Powering Artist Pathways to Success in Design, Visual, and Media Arts for the Performing Arts"

Oakland School for the Arts is committed to offering real work experiences opportunities to immerse themselves in a pathway specific field and interact with industry professionals. Entrepreneurship is the main pathway focus. By creating student-run businesses on campus, we give our students hands-on exposure that complements academic classroom learning and offers invaluable insights about leadership, the importance of teamwork, time management, networking, problem-solving, critical thinking, innovation, self-discipline, and confidence.

Our arts pathways courses are taught by industry professionals who all bring years of experience, and can advise our students on college and career. These professionals also provide access to job opportunities, and other valuable resources.

Where Art Meets Innovation. Where Students Lead. Where Industry Shapes Learning.

Oakland School for the Arts is a 6–12 grade career and college preparatory school dedicated to artistic excellence, academic achievement, and entrepreneurial innovation. Rooted in the California CTE and Linked Learning models, our school integrates rigorous arts coursework with real-world, pathway-specific training in:

Audio Production
Dance
Digital Media Arts
Fashion Design
Literary Arts
Instrumental Music
Theatre
Visual Arts
Vocal Music

We are a vibrant learning community where students are not just learners—they are designers, directors, producers, entrepreneurs, and leaders of their own educational journey.

OSA is a Silver Certified Linked Learning/CTE Pathway School

Our student learning experience is based on real-world learning that includes: College and Career-preparation, Rigorous Arts and Academic pathways, supported by Linked Learning’s four pillars:

-Rigorous arts curriculum: Challenging, college-preparatory courses meet and exceed California standards.
-Career-Technical Education (CTE)
Students master pathway-specific skills while earning industry certifications and credentials.
-Work-Based Learning (WBL)
Students access job shadowing, apprenticeships, field studies, and professional internships through partnerships with arts and media organizations.
-Personalized Student Support
Advisories, mentorship, jury panels, pathway counselors and a pathway director who all work together to ensure every student thrives.

entrepreneurship & innovation courses

OSA offers student-run enterprises & market-ready skills, which empower students to turn creativity into careers through entrepreneurial learning. Our entrepreneurship curriculum includes:

Business Administration skills
Contracts
Royalties and Publishing (music focused)

Marketing
Promotion
Public Relations
Branding and Merchandising
Artist Development and Management
Concert Promotion
Venue Management
Live production: Show Coordination and Stage management

Current Entrepreneurial Businesses

*KOSA Radio

Founded in July 2015, KOSA is designed to be a teaching tool as well as give a voice to Oakland School for the Arts students. The program consists of high energy, on the spot, live student broadcasting led by Dr Thompson. KOSA Broadcasting trains students on the daily workings of radio to include; Programming, Music Selection and Scheduling, Script Writing, Voice Over and Show Hosting. They learn to produce live broadcast talk shows and develop their on-air personality. The course provides the opportunity for students to learn basic journalistic and technological skills to be used in career choices and radio & television productions.

*1819 Records The Collective

*The Telegraph

*510 MAG

KOSA Learning From Sterling James

ARTS PATHWAYS

Dr. Delores Thompson

Director, Arts Pathways
Dr. Delores Thompson

dthompson@oakarts.org

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Delores Thompson, Is a visionary maestro of arts education, where creativity meets career prep with serious purpose. Whether she’s building a broadcast station from scratch or writing strategic plans for ten dynamic AME pathways, Dr. Thompson is always two steps ahead — blending equity, excellence, and innovation like a seasoned conductor orchestrating brilliance.

With 30+ years as a working artist that includes artist management, public relations, event planner, keynote speaker, professional emcee, television and radio, plus 10+ years teaching, and 6+ as an Arts Pathway Director, Delores is not just teaching arts —she’s transforming futures through it. Dr. Thompson speaks curriculum like a second language, turning standards into opportunity, and leading teachers with both fire and finesse.

Dr. Thompson doesn’t just teach content; she builds confidence and shapes identity, creating a safe inspiring environment where students flourish and grow into critical thinkers who know how to use their voice to make change.