The ceremony to re-name the Alice Arts Center to the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts was held on Sunday, June 20, 2004, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the arts center. Oakland City Council member Nancy Nadel officiated for the City. Ballet Kizingou and Fua Dia Congo, performance companies established by the late Malonga Casquelourd, performed during this free event.

The beautifully restored turn-of-the-century Arts Center is one of the area's busiest performing arts facilities. Patrons can participate in a variety of arts programs or rent spaces for arts events and activities.

Spaces available for rent include a 400-seat theater, five dance studios, meeting rooms and rehearsal spaces. Four long-standing Oakland arts institutions - Oakland Ballet, Citicentre Dance Theater, Dimensions Dance Theater and Oakland Ensemble Theater - are founding resident companies. Numerous other art groups present activities or have offices at the Arts Center, including the Arts Center Jazz Orchestra, Bay Area Blues Society, Koncepts Cultural Gallery, Moving On Center, Oakland Youth Orchestra and the Oaktown Jazz Workshop.

This restored 1920s building is a popular multicultural, multidisciplinary performing-arts complex sponsored by the city. The 500-seat theater and five performance spaces showcase drama, ballet, and African and contemporary dance. Several long-standing arts organizations-CitiCentre Dance Theater, Dimensions Dance Theater, Oakland Ballet, and Oakland Ensemble-call the center home.