Steve Snider

About Steve Snider

With a dedication to supporting the cultural life of Oakland, I ignited my journey in 2001 by founding the Oakland Box Theater and Gallery, a non-profit community arts space also known as The Black Box. Over its operational span from 2001 to 2004, The Box flourished, hosting over 500 community-based events and instilling in me a profound admiration for Oakland\'s creative spirit and political voice. Driven by this passion, I devoted the ensuing decade to cultivating and managing cultural arts venues in the Uptown neighborhood of Oakland where I managed and operated two historic ballrooms, Sweet’s Ballroom and 2232 MLK (now known as Starline Social Club).In 2008, after a more than a decade of pursuing related cultural pursuits, I co-founded Oakland Venue Management (OVM) along with my business partner and Oakland native, Andrew Jones. Since that time we\'ve orchestrated over public events in downtown Oakland while also stewarding two of the most prominent and impactful Community Benefit Districts (CBDs) in the East Bay. These CBDs enhance multiple Downtown Oakland neighborhoods the make up the city’s central business district, attracting businesses, residents, and visitors while championing and amplifying local arts, culture, and entrepreneurship. My expertise, defined as Ecosystem Development Through Entrepreneurship & The Arts, has been instrumental in helping to spearhead OVM\'s growth, diversification and sustainability as a company.In 2020, OVM birthed a new company called District Works, a company specializing in project management for urban place management organizations, including Business Improvement Districts, park districts, cities, and transportation agencies.Beyond my professional endeavors, I actively contribute to the cultural fabric of Oakland. I serve on the Board of the renowned venue Oakland Metro Opera House (also know at the Oakland Metro), home to the Oakland Opera Theater Company. Previously, from 20••••20, I contributed my leadership to the theater company Ragged Wing Ensemble, overseeing The Flight Deck, Oakland\'s only public black box theater. Moreover, my commitment to community enrichment extends to other leadership roles—I\'ve had the privilege to preside over the California Downtown Association as Board President in 2020 and while also leading its DEI Task Force. Additionally, I recently served as an inaugural Board member of the Betti Ono Foundation, and now serve on its Advisory Board, furthering my commitment to cultural enrichment and community impact.

Experience

1. President & Co-owner

   District Works

   Mar 2021 — Present · San Francisco, CA, US

   District Works provides a wide variety of services that help create beautiful and well-maintained improvement districts, neighborhoods, and public spaces.

Education

• New College of California

  Master of Arts, Humanities and Leadership with Emphasis in Creation Sprituality

  1997 — 1999

• Prescott College

  Bachelor of Arts, Contemporary Religious Studies,Transpersonal Psychology, Creative Expression

  1989 — 1994

Skills

• Program Management
• Promotions
• Editing
• Program Development
• Team Building
• Management
• Volunteer Management
• Contract Negotiation
• Start-Ups
• Staff Development
• Workshop Facilitation
• Business Development
• Philanthropy
• Entertainment
• Small Business
• Strategic Partnerships
• Local Marketing
• Grant Writing
• Leadership
• Business Networking
• Negotiation
• Teaching
• Entrepreneurship
• Social Networking
• Fundraising
• Social Media Marketing
• Marketing Strategy
• Event Management
• Non-Profit Administration
• Strategic Planning
• Project Planning
• Leadership Development
• Team Leadership
• Public Speaking
• Marketing
• Public Relations
• Online Marketing
• Strategy
• Coaching
• Marketing Communications