TVC’s Mission

Tualatin Valley Creates drives the development of inclusive, resilient, creative communities using arts, culture, heritage, and humanities.

Our vision is to foster the growth of a robust arts and culture ecosystem in Washington County, Oregon. We do this by

  • Increasing visibility and community engagement with local happenings;
  • Engaging under-served populations by making arts and culture more accessible;
  • Cultivating various economic opportunities in the arts and culture ecosystem;
  • Bridging resources needed to support people working in the local creative industries.

 

Tualatin Valley Creates is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Who TVC Serves

Tualatin Valley Creates serves Washington County’s 15 cities and unincorporated areas. This includes Aloha, Banks, Beaverton, Bethany, Cedar Mill, Cornelius, Durham, Forest Grove, Gaston, Hillsboro, King City, North Plains, Sherwood, Tigard and Tualatin.

About the Tualatin Valley

Washington County rests within the Tualatin Valley- a far-from-ordinary gem with welcoming and accessible charm and culture. Centrally located, the Tualatin Valley draws influence from nearby Portland, the Willamette Valley and the Oregon Coast, while still touting character that is all its own. As Oregon’s “Silicon Forest,” the Tualatin Valley is a hub for tech and apparel innovation with Intel, Tektronix, Columbia Sportswear and Nike offices here (just to name drop a few!).

The unique makeup of the Tualatin Valley offers urban amenities that flow into pastoral landscapes. This balance of urban and agricultural gives way to legions of attractions and activities, including wineries, craft breweries and distilleries, unparalleled outdoor recreation, fantastic hotels and, of course, a unique arts community.

Map courtesy of the Tualatin River Watershed Council

History

1999

The Westside Cultural Alliance is formed by a group of dedicated arts advocates in Washington County with the goal of serving as a countywide vehicle for arts advocacy.

2003

Gains recognition as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and public charity. The organization files Articles of Incorporation with the state of Oregon.

2004

Produces “Westside Stories,” a cable access show highlighting the local arts scene on Tualatin Valley Community Television . The program, later called Westside Cultural Connection, ran through 2010.

2004

Launches a networking events series around Washington County for people interested in arts, culture, heritage, and the humanities. These events continue to be a core service of Tualatin Valley Creates.

2006

Begins hosting professional development workshops for artists and arts organizations in partnership with the Regional Arts & Culture Council. These workshops continue to be a core service of Tualatin Valley Creates.

2007

Establishes an online repository for local artists and arts organizations. The repository is later named ArtStage is eventually absorbed into the main WCA website.

2008

Helps initiate the publication of the Washington County Arts Guide, a quarterly full-color tabloid produced by Community Newspapers with 50,000 copies printed per issue.

2015

Restructures staff contracts and is able to double staff time from 25 to 50 hours a month and seeks additional operational funds from Washington County government.

2016

Launches an “Artist in Residence” program for at-risk youth housed at Harkins House, a temporary residential shelter and part of the Washington County Juvenile System.

2016

Creates a three-year countywide plan for the arts in cooperation with Washington County government, the Regional Arts & Culture Council, and the Cultural Coalition of Washington County.

2017

Completes the first ever arts and economic study for Washington County in partnership with Americans for the Arts, the Oregon Arts Commission, and the Regional Arts & Culture Council.

2017

Changes its name to Tualatin Valley Creates and launches a new state-of-the-art website supported by a grant from the Washington County Visitor’s Association.

2018

Launches the Creative Impact Workshop Series in partnership with the City of Hillsboro and City of Beaverton.

2019

Announces the faculty and first cohort of the Arts & Culture Leadership Incubator.

2020

Celebrates first annual Arts & Culture Leadership Incubator cohort and begins second annual Incubator focusing on social activism and community collaboration.

2021

Completes second Arts & Culture Leadership Incubator, increased staff capacity and became the fiscal sponsor for the Cultural Coalition of Washington County (CCWC).

2022

Began work with Henry Point Development on public art for the Main Street Commons. Held 4th annual La Strada Festival in Downtown Hillsboro.

2023

Worked with Visitors association on a new Public Art Trail. Completes third Arts & Culture Leadership Incubator, and installed three new public art pieces at Main Street Commons.