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Overview
The Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center (IFCC) is a community-based arts center located in North Portland. It was founded in 1982 by Portland's first Black Commissioner and Parks’ Director, Charles Jordan. IFCC has served as a cultural home for the Black community in N/NE since its founding. The building consists of a 99-seat theater, rehearsal studio, and gallery. It was originally constructed in 1910 and used as a fire station until 1959.
Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) and the IFCC Community Advisory Committee (CAC) have proposed the expansion and redevelopment of IFCC as a Center for Black Arts & Culture. The IFCC CAC envisions a center “where the history of Portland's Black community, and its rich arts and culture contributions, can be presented, displayed, discussed, and honored.” A feasibility study, funded by the 2020 Parks Local Option Levy (Parks Levy), is currently underway.
IFCC Artist Grant and Residency Program
IFCC is activated by the IFCC Artist Grant and Residency Program. This program provides grant funding and free studio space to Portland-based artists working at all levels and in wide-ranging disciplines. Participating artists also host events and gatherings for the community at IFCC. See below for upcoming events.
This program is funded by the Friends of IFCC (FOIFCC), Portland Parks & Recreation, The Office of Arts & Culture, 1803 Fund, and other philanthropic partners.
2024-2025 Grant Recipients and Resident Artists
Michael Crenshaw
Darrell Grant
Jason Hill
Immutable Studio
Jae Nichelle
Melanie Stevens
Arietta Ward aka Mz. Etta
Jolly Wrapper & Ya Heard!
Upcoming Artist Events
Check back for updates on upcoming events.
Past Artist Events
Spoken Word + Art Show
Presented by Resident Artist Mic Crenshaw
Friday, March 7, 2025, 7-9pm
Donations accepted
Come join Mic Crenshaw for spoken word and art show by Jonny Cool and Byron Brown. Refreshments by Mudblosm Connections.
Soul Restoration Redux: A Solo Evening with Darrell Grant
Presented by Resident Artist Darrell Grant
Thursday, March 6, 2025, 7-9pm
Pay what you will. RSVP here.
Jazz pianist and composer Darrell Grant closes his artist residency at the IFCC with a concert featuring musical explorations of Black community and resilience with special guests.
Grownfolk Blues: the exhibition
Presented by Resident Artist Jae Nichelle
Saturday, March 1, 2025, 2-5pm
Free with registration. RSVP here.
Come engage with visual poetry, watch performances, enjoy refreshments, and sing the blues! (metaphorically)
Tools of Survival: Art, Storytelling, Liberation, and Hope
Presented by Resident Artist Darrell Grant
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 7pm
Pay what you will. RSVP here.
This conversation explores the connections between culture, storytelling, and art as a tool for hope and liberation with two notable Haitian-American artists: Grammy-nominated performer and composer Nathalie Joachim and composer and conductor Sydney Guillaume. Moderated by Darrell Grant and Dr. Yves Labissier. Part of Artist as Citizen Initiative Social Justice and the Arts Conversation.
Black to the Land: Communities, Land, and Ownership
Presented by Resident Artist Darrell Grant
Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 7pm
Pay what you will. Sign up here.
PSU professor of Black Studies and Urban Studies, Dr. Lisa Bates and Darrell Grant talk with Qiddist Ashe, Executive Director, Black Oregon Land Trust; Randall Wyatt, founder/Executive Director, Taking Ownership PDX; and Juma Sei, Communications Manager for 1803 Fund about ways to generate sustainable Black communities through networks of ownership. Part of Artist as Citizen Initiative Social Justice and the Arts Conversation.
The Movement: Reflecting on Portland’s Civil Rights Legacy
Presented by Resident Artist Darrell Grant
Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 7pm
Pay what you will. Sign up here.
A conversation with Cleo Davis, Mic Crenshaw, and Shalanda Sims, hosted by Darrell Grant, on the impact that the legacy of the Civil Rights era has had on artists, their communities, and ongoing work to support social change and build community. Part of Artist as Citizen Initiative Social Justice and the Arts Conversation.
Black Legacy Fest
Presented by Resident Artists Immutable Studio, Jason Hill, and Melanie Stevens
Saturday, December 14, 2024, Day Festival - 2:30-7pm; Night Festival - 8pm until...
Day Festival - FREE; Night Festival - $30. Tickets here.
Black Legacy Fest is an extraordinary celebration of Black and Brown art, culture, and community. This one-day festival, hosted by Immutable Studio, will feature live performances, gallery exhibits, vendor markets, and a ticketed evening show with limited seating.
ETTABRATION 2024: THE JAZZ EDITION
Presented by Resident Artist Arietta Ward | Etta's World Ettatainment LLC
Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 7:30pm (doors open 6:45pm)
$0-$30 sliding scale Tickets here.
Arietta Ward'sfirst official Etta Jazz set with an all-star band and special guests, followed by the sounds of DJ DOC ROC to celebrate her birthday. Featuring: Ag Donnaloia, Michael Elson, Brent Follis, and John Mazzocco. With special guests: Chance Hayden, Devin Phillips, Domo Branch, Charlie Brown III.
IFCC Print Fest
Presented by Resident Artist Melanie Stevens
Saturday, December 7, 2024, 11:30am and 2:30pm
Free with registration. Sign up here.
Join us for a day filled with creativity, art, and inspiration. This in-person event is a celebration of all things printmaking. From woodcuts and linocuts to etching, come and explore the world of printmaking with IFCC Artist-In Residence, Melanie Stevens.
My Song | My Story
Presented by Resident Artist Arietta Ward | Etta's World Ettatainment LLC
Monday, November 11, 2024, 7:30pm (doors open 6:45pm)
$10 suggested donations
An intimate evening of song, stories & conversations featuring: Sarah Clarke, Nafisaria Mathews, LaRhonda Steele, Lo Steele, Arietta Ward, and Saeeda Wright. With AG Donnaloia, Damian Erskine, Tyrone Hendrix, And Alex Milsted.
The Bride Price
Presented by Resident Artist Ime Etuk
Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 5:30pm
Free; donations welcome
Live taping of theater/film work written and produced by George Faus and directed by Ime Etuk. A production of Lion Speaks.
Push
Presented by Resident Artist Roberta Hunte + Bobby Bermea and Jamie Rae
Saturday & Sunday, September 14 & 15, 2024, 7:30pm
$5; Tickets here
Push is a devised script created in partnership with artists Bobby Bermea and Jamie Rea of Beirut Wedding to highlight Black maternal health experiences in medical settings. This community engaged piece is developed in collaboration with Black women, doulas, and midwives to illustrate the challenges and triumphs of Black mamas in the birthing process.
Cherubim: V
Presented by Resident Artist maximiliano
Friday, September 13, 2024, 8pm (doors open 7:30pm)
Free; donations welcome
Cherubim: V is a communal ceremonial multimedia electrical exchange experience as live performance. maximiliano is an experimental visual & performance artist who works include multimedia productions, sculptures and paintings.
Art and Storytime
Presented by Resident Artist Latoya Lovely
Sundays, August 25, September 1 & 8, 2024, 10am
Free; donations welcome
Movement, singing, and arts activities for ages 5-10; all are welcome
BLESSINGS movie night @ IFCC
Presented by Resident Artist elijah jamal asani
Friday, June 7, 2024, 7pm
Free; donations welcome
Short films selected by artists elijah jamal asani, Eatcho, Neolith, Yawa One. Accompanied by improvised live musical scoring.
Universal Love Revival Service
Presented by Resident Artist Roman Norfleet + Be Present Art Group
Saturday, June 1, 2024, 9pm (doors open 8pm)
Free; donations welcome
Opera Mini-Preview and Grief Circle
Presented by Resident Artist Licity Collins + Katherine Hatch and Lisa Gates
Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 7-8:30pm
Free; donations welcome, RSVP and more info here
Preview of ONE DEATH IN SEVEN DOORWAYS plus a conversation about grief and loss facilitated by Katherine Hatch of Grounded Grief Therapy
PRECIPICE: A New Solo Play
Presented by Resident Artist Damaris Webb and Vanport Mosaic
Saturday, March 9, 2024 7:30pm
Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 2pm
Suggested donation: $5 students/seniors; $10 general; Tickets: PRECIPICE: A New Solo Play |Eventbrite
Combining direct experience through overnight camping in different parts of the state, with the relative safety in a NE Portland multigenerational home, Precipicepresses against the boundaries of memory, media reports, geological truths, legacy, DNA reports, and the value of listening to the land.
All Rise: A Staged Reading
Presented by Resident Artist Evan McCreary
Friday, March 1, 2024 at 7:00 pm
Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 2:30 & 7pm
Sunday, March 3, 2024 at 2:30 & 7pm
$5-10; Tickets: ALL RISE Events | Eventbrite
This play follows Valerie Williams after the murder of her teenaged son at the hands of police. She finds herself in a tumultuous battle with the criminal justice system in a desperate attempt to avenge her young son’s stolen life. Hailed as “the voice of his generation”, Evan McCreary’s award-winning, debut play is a timely, relevant, poignant confrontation and catharsis of the current state of our country.
Local Filmmakers Showcase
Presented by Resident Artist Nsayi Matingou
Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 6:30pm
$5 suggested donation
Featuring short films by local Black creatives: Daniel Haile, Elijah Hasan, Vaughn Kimmons, Nsayi Matingou
Music, Conversation and More
Presented by Resident Artist Elijah Hasan
Saturday, December 9, 2023, 2-5pm
This event is free
Jazz Is Black To The Future—a conversation with Eric Richardson + poetry by Elijah Hasan
"Resistance" music and song by Elijah Hasan with various guests
Reading from Hasan’s novel "Martyrdom of The Puppet Master"
Noah Simpson & Domo Branch
Presented by Resident Artist Noah Simpson
Friday, December 15, 2023 at 7:30pm
$10 suggested donation
Presented by Albina Trust Music; A World Arts Foundation Production
Film Screening of "Darker Than Blue"
Presented by Resident Artist Elijah Hasan
December 16, 2023 at 2:30pm
This event is free
A documentary about the experiences of Black and Brown officers within the Portland Police Bureau. Original score by Elijah Hasan; featuring Cary Simms, Darrell Grant, Eric Richardson, and C Anthony B.