Help us create The OAC!

Join us in building our dream community center

Our Mission

The Open Arts Center is a nonprofit creative arts center that will provide after school programming, self-directed learning, and community-sourced mentorship for Central Oregon’s teens, between the ages of 12-18. Our mission is to cultivate a space to encourage personal and creative development while fostering community and belonging.

Our Values

Compassion Curiosity Inclusivity Empowerment Reciprocity

  • We believe

    that all young people deserve accessible, free spaces to spend time where they will be safe, welcomed, seen, cared for, and supported; a space that centers their voices and vision.

    We believe

    that every person, no matter their class, race, sexual orientation, gender, ethnicity, religion, neurological and mobility differences deserves a place to foster creativity, community and belonging.

    We believe

    creative expression is a crucial part of holistic well-being and has the power to heal and to transform lives.

    We believe

    young people deserve the opportunity to serve in leadership roles where their voices hold just as much weight as adults. We will create a Youth Council that will meet alongside the Adult Board. 

    We believe

    in the power of mutual respect, responsibility and trust. Teens will be expected to help with daily responsibilities in maintaining the space and encouraged to consider how they wish to show up, participate in, and give back to their communities.

    We believe

    that every individual’s physical, mental and emotional experience is valid. We will strive to meet each person where they are and create an experience where they can thrive.

Our Offerings & Events

When teens have the opportunity to follow their own inner curiosity and intuitive desire, they will have more passion and excitement for learning, creating and cultivating community.

The OAC will provide space for self-directed learning, classes, workshops and community-sourced mentorship & apprenticeship opportunities

This year we will be hosting FREE collaborative community events for teens | Ages 12-18

Join us for our first in person event on April 27th at Dudley’s Bookshop!

The Power of

Art & Mental Health

As of April 2022, 69 percent of public schools reported an increase in mental health concerns among their students.

- National Center for Educational Statistics

Creating art can significantly benefit teen mental health by providing a creative outlet to express emotions, reduce stress, boost self-esteem, improve focus, and enhance overall well-being

The Open Arts Center will hold a vital role in supporting the young people of our Central Oregon community

Mentorship & Apprenticeship

Working Artist Studios

As fellow artists of the community, we understand that there is a real need for more studio spaces for working artists in Central Oregon. As a way to meet this demand, adult art studios will be a part of The OAC! This opportunity will also create mentorship and apprenticeship opportunities for teens.

Artists will be encouraged to volunteer in the space, mentoring or offering workshops.

Multigenerational relationships will build bridges and offer youth opportunities to learn new techniques and skills while building confidence and self awareness.

Are you an artist in need of a studio? Do you believe in The OAC’s mission and values? Do you have experience working with teens?

We cannot do this alone.

We acknowledge that this center cannot come to life without the input and engagement from our wider, diverse Central Oregon community. In order to thrive as a collective, we need to hear your voice!

What do you want to see happen at The OAC? We’d love to hear from you.

We are grateful to our community endorsers

“The Open Arts Center will provide Central Oregon with a much-needed safe space where teens can freely express themselves while nurturing their creativity, confidence and sense of belonging. As the former Chair of the Oregon Arts Commission, I have seen the power that a community arts center has to inspire growth, resilience and unity in youth. I am excited for The Open Arts Center as I believe it help to create a stronger Central Oregon community.”

- Jenny Green | Former Chair of The Oregon Arts Commission