PCAS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the perceptual development of children through artistic learning in a studio environment. PCAS is also committed to providing equitable access to quality art education in our community. In 2021, PCAS moved into a new location in the commercial space below the Vibrant!, an affordable housing building with over 100 kids. We did so with the hope and intention of increasing equitable access to art education and to our unique studio program. Thanks to our partnership with Innovative Housing Inc. and the incredible generosity of local foundations and individual contributions, we have been offering several free weekly art classes to our community of children at the Vibrant! beginning in 2022. Beyond exposing children to art education, we also strive to:
  • Create moments for collaboration and foster community amongst students, 
  • Encourage process lead art making
  • Encourage risk taking with techniques, styles and materials to foster exploration
  • Create an individual sense of empowerment in each student through themes and prompts that allow them to feel included in art
  • Nurture each students individual story and perspective in art making and communication
In Ansâr El Muhammad's words, a Portland based multimedia conceptual artist and teacher at PCAS who helped us develop this program in 2022, "These classes can serve as a blueprint to expand no cost classes to low income families, and kids of color for years to come, it may expose our blind spots, and show us what we need in order to sustain our goals, but also, where we exceed and how we can use our combined resources to serve each individual student. This partnership acknowledges Portland’s own historical role in the oppression of BIPOC families and children, and it serves as context to one of the reasons this program is still relevant. Art Empowerment classes aim to empower students who belong to historically oppressed communities as well as low income families. We believe that all kids should have a voice and that all kids deserve art without barriers, and that can lead to something incredibly sacred."
OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS​
MARY MCKINNEY and FLAY EZELL FUND, Oregon Community Foundation
Fred W. Fields Fund, Oregon Community Foundation
The Poha Fund, Gates Family Foundation
​Catherine Reed
​Wendy Mitchell
​Michael Jakola
Our Vibrant! Outreach program thrives thanks to local grants and individual sponsors. If you are an individual, business, or foundation that is interested in donating or being involved with this program, please contact devon@portlandchildart.org. ​
PCAS is committed to creating an environment that is diverse, inclusive, and equitable where all staff, teaching partners, families, children, and board members are treated with respect and dignity. PCAS will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or bullying of any kind in regard to race, socio-economic status, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, or gender. PCAS acknowledges Portland’s own historical role in the oppression of BIPOC families and children, and seeks to participate in a culture of equity where all people have the opportunity to contribute, develop, and grow despite historical inequities. As an organization and Board of Directors, we agree that DEI principles will be reflected in our mission, programming, governance, and board composition.