Our Mission

Welcome to Color Outside the Lines!

Color Outside the Lines is a non-profit that strives to empower and inspire foster and at-risk youth by providing opportunities with art, music, movement and creativity. We believe in the power of art to transform lives and to promote mental and emotional health. We provide creative workshops and art experiences in joyful, healing, and developmentally engaging environments.

Color Outside the Lines believes that all children should have the opportunity to grow creatively, no matter of their background. Many studies have proven that having a creative outlet not only allows children to heal and grow from turbulent pasts, but also aids in mental, emotional and physical well being. Over 10,000 youth spent at least a day in foster care last year in Oregon alone. We are focused on bringing those children the creative opportunities that may help them to grow, learn and thrive.

We all know that art transforms lives and promotes mental and emotional health. Our purpose is simple - all children should have the opportunity to grow creatively, no matter their background and life experiences to date. In 2021 and 2022, we’ve helped over 3,000 youth engage in creative experiences free of charge. With your help, 2023 can be a groundbreaking year for helping Oregon’s foster and underserved youth create, connect, heal, and thrive.

give the gift of art to a youth in need

Thousands of youth are still suffering from poor mental health due to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, on top of existing challenges. To help youth feel supported, inspired and cared for through creativity, we work to give youth meaningful classes and events free of charge. You can safely make a donation via PayPal or credit card to Color Outside The Lines to support art and music  programs for at-risk children and youth in foster care. All donations go directly to support creative outreach programming for the youth we serve. 

Donate now or sign up for the recurring donation program 

Featured Mural Installation- The Unity Project

A collaborative public art project between 24 pairs of artists foster youth.  These large are panels are now up on public display located at 1111 E Burnside for the next 7-10 years. 

Click here for more information