Our mission: Recognizing the inherent worth of every young individual, Vibe empowers youth through transformative arts experiences, dedicated to cultivating the next generation of creative leaders in Oregon and celebrating the richness of their unique voices.
If you have a space, shop, or project and envision hosting a vibrant and engaging creative program for the children or youth in your community, we invite you to join us in making a profound difference in their lives through art!
It doesn't matter how wild the idea is. We work with community art studios, centers, public schools, and community improvement projects. We value diversity and are also collaborating with a moving stage next summer and starting an art program in Eastern Oregon.
Our teachers are professionals with all kinds of equipment and spaces, from darkrooms to photo, video, and music studios and wood, welding, and jewelry shops. We have a wealth of resources and expertise to support your ideas, so please don't hesitate to share them with us.
We look for a few characteristics in a space: It must be wheelchair accessible, safe, have an emergency exit, and be able to lock during class times (or some way to keep kids in and strangers out).
For more information, please get in touch with Dunja, our program director.
By becoming a Vibe funder, you are not just supporting art and music education for young people in the Portland metro area and Eastern Oregon. You also provide them with access to creative resources that can profoundly shape their development, nurture their talents, and give them the confidence to become the next generation of artists and creatives.
As a Vibe funder, you are not just a donor but a valued member of a vibrant community. This community shares your passion for fostering imagination and innovation in young minds. Together, we find personal fulfillment and a sense of joy as we witness the transformative power of art and music in the lives of children.
Remember, Vibe of Portland is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. This means that all your donations and support are not only making a difference in young people's lives but also tax-deductible under U.S. law. Thank you in advance for your support!
To become a partner, please email. | For monthly or one-time donations, follow this link.
Come Teach with Us! We are hiring professionals comfortable teaching illustration, drawing, and digital arts for our after-school classes, no-school workshops, and summer camps. We ask that you be friendly, collaborative, and as passionate about equity in access to art education as you are about your art practice!
*We are a group of Teaching Artists passionate about equity in access to arts education for ALL students and offer generous scholarships to our camps for qualifying families. At Vibe, we are queer-friendly, BIPOC, straight, white, professional artists, hobbyists, introverts, and extroverts! We only ask that you are as passionate about changing the life of a young person through art as much as you are passionate about the power of art.*
General info:
After-school classes are held onsite at public schools in SE, NE, and N Portland, encompassing the Portland, Parkrose, and David Douglas school districts. They typically run for 1-1.5 hours from 3 pm to 5:30 pm (depending on the program).
No school workshops occur on holidays, in-service days, or school breaks (Thanksgiving week, winter holidays, spring break). They are usually held from 9 am to 4 pm.
Summer camps run from 9 am to 3 pm, Monday through Friday, at our St. Johns, NE, and SE locations. For summer camps, you must be available five days/week (9 am-3 pm)
Qualifications:
Experience teaching youth from varying demographic backgrounds, ages 5-14.
Promote PROCESS-based arts education in lesson plans and curriculum.
Reliable transportation.
Be reliable and prompt with Slack, email, and text communication.
You must be willing to work collaboratively with other Teaching Artists, creating class content and lesson plans.
We strongly prefer a college degree in Fine Arts or equivalent.
Pay is $40/hour, which incorporates prep time. We offer additional prep time at separate pay for class content development when needed. We will be hiring for our school year programming (Fall-Spring) from our summer crew of teaching artists, so there is likely potential work after summer is over. We offer trauma-informed best practices training at no cost.
To apply, please email music@vibepdx.org and attach a brief cover paragraph about why you are interested in teaching for Vibe of Portland and a resume. Thank you!
Volunteering with Vibe of Portland is a unique opportunity to support arts education and make a positive impact in your community. By contributing your time and skills, you help provide youth with access to quality arts and music programs, fostering creativity and self-expression. Whether you’re assisting with art classes, helping at community events, or supporting behind the scenes, your involvement ensures that all children in Portland have the chance to explore their artistic potential.
Join us to engage with like-minded individuals, develop new skills, and be part of a vibrant, creative environment. Volunteering here not only enriches the lives of young people but also offers you personal growth and fulfillment. With flexible volunteer opportunities to fit your schedule, you can make a meaningful difference while supporting arts inclusivity and diversity in Portland.
