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 the 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 Commissioner Carmen Rubio, 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.
In the interim, IFCC will be activated through the IFCC Grant and Residency Program through early 2025, funded by the American Rescue Plan. This initiative is part of the City of Portland’s larger Relief and Recovery for Artists of Color program which supports Portland artists who have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Applications for the next cycle of the IFCC Grant and Residency Program (2023-2024) will open in Summer 2023.
2022-2023 Grant Recipients and Resident Artists
Domo Branch
James Bullock
Breana DePriest
Future Prairie/Onry
Kwik Jones
Machado Mijiga
Lauren Modica
Brian Parham
Aaron Spriggs
Studio Abioto & Black Art/ists Gathering
2022-2023 Artist Events
- March 26,2023, at 1:00pm—Intro to Playwrighting: Charge Your Dialogue. Presented by Kwik Jones. Free: by registration.
- March 5, 2023, at 5:00pm—Daniel Ryes Llinás & John Niekrasz. Presented by Machado Mijiga. Suggested donation.
- March 4, 2023, at 4:00pm— Routes of Rhythm Kids Junk Orchestra (Dennis Dove). Presented by Machado Mijiga. Free.
- March 3, 2023, at 8:00 pm— Domo Branch and Noah Simpson, with an introduction by Paul Knauls, Sr. Presented by Domo Branch, Albina Music Trust, A World Arts Foundation Production, $10 suggested donations
- December 16 and 17, 2022 at 7:00pm— You Should be Honored. Presented by Lauren Modica. Free.
- October 9, 2022, 1:00-2:00pm— Intro to Playwrighting. Presented by Kwik Jones, Free: by registration.