OUR MISSION
From the Ground UP : A Research and Development Center for New Art is a Portland OR, based organization that fosters the creation of new art. We seek to expand, reimagine and invent new ways of making, producing and presenting art.
Focusing on marginalized populations we elevate sidelined voices, invoke important community dialogues and support the creation and presenting of stories that are often overlooked. Knowing that by bringing these stories to the forefront we can create spaces that empower artists, invite the unusual, challenge norms and forge new pathways that uplift individuals and communities both here and beyond.
Why We Do What We Do
Since 2016 we have focused ALL programming on women/femme-identified artists. Regionally, we are the only arts organization that is entirely led by and serving women/femme-indviduals. In our tenure we have served the full spectrum of women/femme-identified individuals ages 14-79. We offer the training, resources, and infrastructure to produce their stories and lived experiences. Creating art across disciplines - theater, music, dance, and social practice (art that is concerned with personal, political and global change.) We bring to life the culture and lives of the individual artists producing art that is rooted in bravery and is essential to the great work of dismantling systems of oppression.
Studies show that engagement with the arts decreases crime, reduces poverty and increases academic success, just to mention a few. By focusing on women/femme-identified artists whose we are securing this concrete resource and bringing these profound benefits to this community. Currently women only make 37% of playwrights nationally and only 35% of artistic directors yet women receive undergrad and graduate degrees in the arts at a much higher rate than men. By focusing 100% of our efforts on women we are actively dismantling structural oppression in the arts and American culture.
How We Do It
As a multi-functional organization we move from the philosophical goal of individual and community evolution.
Our programming has three key areas:
Incubation: offers the support and resources needed to develop authentic voices and create new art. Offering a creative process that centers around flexible learning we have created a core curriculum that is in response to each unique individual that walks into our room. Our participants thrive, creating new art that develops deeper understanding, dialog and the awareness that is necessary for transformative change. Incubation includes: workshops, trainings, new work commissions, and our flagship program, an annual nine-month artist residency.
Presentation: Through intimate live productions, art exhibits, community events, and our annual new works festival, we have produced over 60 new works of art and reached upwards of 7000 audience members. With the goal of advancing collaboration and engagement with diverse communities we partner with BIPOC lead spaces such as New Expressive Works and the Historic Alberta House as well as spaces that are located in underserved areas such as the Ramona Street Art Farm. These partnerships create interesting engagements and opportunities inside diverse spaces and communities across Portland.
Resource & Research Center: We extend resources through mentorship, professional support, collaborative fundraising, and partnerships with other organizations. Research, our newest effort, is poised to examine the impact of our programming and discover new possibilities for live art. Looking at why and how engagement with authentic storytelling helps to enrich the lives of those who create and encounter it.