San Jose’s Office of Economic Development has for many years included four divisions, each of which contributes to the departmental mission of enhancing the economic opportunities and increasing economic security for all residents while enhancing the quality of the city’s cultural and public life. The divisions are Business Development, Real Estate. work2future, and Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA). The full name of the department is Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs (OEDCA).

Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) is the City of San Jose's lead agency for supporting the development of a rich arts and cultural environment for this diverse city's one million residents and its many visitors. Arts and cultural expression are essential elements in the character and quality of life in San Jose’s vibrant and diverse communities. In addition to supporting the lifestyle-enhancing qualities of a rich cultural environment,

OCA is active in supporting cultural development and innovation through integrating the arts into our everyday life. According to our last Arts and Economic Prosperity Economic Impact Study, the San Jose nonprofit arts sector alone contributes over $191 million in annual economic impact and 4,255 jobs.  And we know that the arts are critical to our cross-cultural understanding and connection to each other – which is more critical now than ever as we reopen from the pandemic.

The arts are core to our economic and community recovery plan. We spur the arts industry through strategic cultural arts funding, public art, special event production and facilitation, and investing in our “creative entrepreneurs” – the individuals, non-profits and businesses that create, support and perform art throughout the city contributing to our great public life.  The arts mean and are open for business!

Adding "Cultural Affairs" to the department name acknowledges the significant contribution made by the arts to the city’s economy, while enhancing the quality of life for residents, workers and businesses alike. The Director of Cultural Affairs, Kerry Adams Hapner, has also been named  Assistant Director of the Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs.