Youth Programs

Youth programming at the OAC empowers young people to discover their creative potential and build confidence through the visual arts. By providing accessible, high-quality instruction in a nurturing environment, OAC helps students develop essential artistic skills, critical thinking, and self-expression. These programs foster creativity, resilience, and a sense of belonging—strengthening not only individual students, but the cultural vitality of our community. Through art education, OAC invests in the next generation of creative thinkers and leaders. 

Youth Scholarships/Becas para Jóvenes 

OSA contributes to the cultural growth and educational needs of the community by providing scholarships for youth. We believe that our education programs should be accessible to young people and we offer scholarships to those needing financial assistance. 

OSA contribuye al crecimiento cultural y a las necesidades educativas de la comunidad al brindar becas para niños y adolescentes. Creemos que nuestros programas educativos deben ser accesibles para todos y ofrecemos becas a quienes necesitan asistencia financiera. 

You will be informed of your application’s status within one week after we receive your application. 

Se le informará del estado de su solicitud dentro de una semana después de que recibamos su solicitud. 

If any factors would still prohibit a student from enrolling, please contact info@oregonartcenter.org. 

Si hay algún factor que aún impida que un estudiante se inscriba, envíe un correo electrónico a info@oregonartcenter.org. 

Partnership with Mt Scott Learning Center (MSLC) 

MSLC opened in 1994 to serve the needs of students struggling to succeed in traditional classrooms. The school grew along with the growing realization that non-traditional programs can better address the social, economic, and academic challenges many students are experiencing. Today, they enroll up to 160 students in grades 9-12, with a full core curriculum, elective offerings, monthly service learning, and community partnerships in the arts, outdoor education, and more. 

Quality arts programming is vital for high school students as it fosters creativity, enhances communication and collaboration, and promotes a more holistic educational experience, ultimately preparing them for college and beyond. MSLC does not have a dedicated art teacher on staff, and thus, those who teach other subjects also serve as art teachers. OAC enhances arts education for these students by providing in-school art residency programming at the school’s location in SE Portland for four 10-week units each year. 

OAC artist instructor Molly Chidsey recently conducted a “Signs of Justice” unit at MSLC. This class was designed to help students build foundational modern calligraphy skills while developing their own visual voice. Through guided practice, students learned to create expressive lettering, thoughtfully design layouts, and use color and water media to amplify personal messages. The course culminated in a completed hand-lettered artwork and the opportunity to share the meaning behind their work, fostering both creative confidence and self-expression. 

OAC is grateful to the Starseed Foundation for helping to fund this program. 

Partnerships with PPS schools 

OAC is seeking to expand its artist residencies within PPS schools, offering projects that students might not otherwise experience in the classroom. For example, in 2025, OAC partnered with Access Academy in SW Portland to provide a one-week in-school residency. A visiting artist led a comic book project during regular class time, collaborating with an Access Academy art teacher for a 7th-grade class. The artist guided students through the creation of a comic, including instruction on narrative development, storyboarding, and final book layout, with individual instruction tailored to each students’ needs. 

When asked for feedback on the residency, the Access Academy art teacher shared: “I would not change anything. Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity! I would recommend Garrett and your program to any school looking to foster a greater interest in the arts.”