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This image is from the Hello Neighbor Project where Caldera students invited their neighbors to be interviewed and photographed as a part of a state-wide public art project. 7 foot by 5 foot photo and word banners were created and are on display throughout their communities.

An arts organization in Oregon is making a lasting impression on teens and contributing to the future creative workforce. Caldera started 13 years ago by ad executive Dan Wieden to build up the pool of creative talent in Oregon and has turned into a year-long mentoring program for transforming the lives of underserved and at-risk youth.

Caldera is a nonprofit organization that partners with schools in 10 communities around the Portland area, many in rural and remote parts of Oregon, to offer weekly mentoring services through arts and nature projects beginning in sixth grade and continuing into early adulthood. Most often the students are recommended by school councilors, who have identified students with an interest in art that could benefit from added adult interest. These students make up the Core students of the program of which there are about 200 per year.  During the school year the program reaches thousands of students in urban and rural Oregon. With the ever-present issue of the reduction of the arts in schools, this program is often the only exposure to the arts the students will have at school. Caldera also provides a safe place in the summer where the Core students can participate in an artists retreat/camp.

Through the projects and interactions with artists, the students are taught life skills, various art forms, conflict resolution techniques, and are exposed to creative job opportunities. For many of the students involved, this is the chance in their life to break the cycle of poverty and circumstances to which they have grown up in by being exposed to a safe creative place. Caldera helps the student cope and thrive by providing consistent long-term support, regular contact, positive role models and encouragement, high-quality arts and environmental instruction, and high-quality equipment.

During the middle school years the students are exposed to a variety of skills and arts. As they enter high school they have the opportunity to choose an area of concentration and work one on one with a mentoring artist. This intensive relationship helps the student develop strong relationships with the artist, builds trust, and they also begin to create a portfolio of work.   

The impact on the young people’s lives is profound and lasting. Many of the students who might normally not graduate from high school are going on to college and some have received full scholarships in the arts. Other students go directly on to pursue a career as arts professional. Education Director Kirsten Kilchenstein has been working with Caldera for nine years and says one the remarkable outcomes from the youth program is the sustained connections and relationships formed through the program. Students return after graduating to volunteer with the program and maintain their relationships with the artists well after their time is complete. Through the act of providing access to arts and opening the minds of children to creativity, the youth programs at Caldera are transforming the lives the students, artists, and staff, as well as contributing to the creative marketplace by fostering and supporting a young new talent pool.