Artstra History
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Artstra (formerly Arts of Clark County) was founded in 2010, emerging from Art Conversations—a two-year series of monthly community forums that explored the state of the arts in Southwest Washington. At the time, Vancouver’s Cultural Commission had suspended operations, and Clark County’s only arts investment was the Clark County Amphitheater (now the Sunlight Supply Amphitheater).
This absence of local government leadership left many arts and culture organizations without a formal support system or sponsorship. Dene Grigar, a digital artist and professor at Washington State University Vancouver, was among the first to highlight this gap. She noted how difficult it was for local arts projects to secure grants when many funding agencies favored applicants with local arts commission endorsements.
Recognizing the need for a unified arts voice, the core Art Conversations group—artists and arts advocates alike—saw the importance of creating a local arts council. Under the leadership of Laurel Whitehurst, who had previously established an arts commission in Kent, Washington, the grassroots collective approached Clark County with the proposal to form one.
A collaborative formula eventually took shape: Clark County would establish an official arts commission with appointed board members but no budget, relying instead on a separately organized nonprofit for fiscal sponsorship. The Clark County Arts Commission (CCAC) was thus created, while work began to secure nonprofit status for Arts of Clark County—the organization now known as Artstra.
Artstra’s founding members supported CCAC by providing fiscal sponsorship and helping to legitimize local arts initiatives in the eyes of funders. Since CCAC had no County funding and was prohibited from raising or managing money, applying for grants, or signing contracts, Artstra took on the role of fundraising, program development, and project management. Under a memorandum of understanding, the County provided Artstra with printing services in exchange for fiscal sponsorship support.
For several years, Artstra and CCAC worked in partnership on arts programs and initiatives. That relationship changed in 2018, when CCAC voted to discontinue using fiscal sponsorship for its programming. The shift prompted Artstra to publicly clarify its independence from County government—leading to a rebranding process and the adoption of its new name, Artstra.
The wave of artistic enthusiasm in and around 2010 sparked not only the creation of Artstra but also new initiatives such as VOCA (Vancouver Organization for Contemporary Art) and Windows Into Art. Influential spaces like North Bank Artists Gallery—host to many Art Conversations—along with Angst Gallery and others, played a key role in revitalizing Vancouver’s downtown art scene.
Since its founding, Artstra has championed broad community engagement and advocacy for the arts across Southwest Washington. Early collaboration with the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) on the region’s Creative Vitality Index (CVI) reports for 2013–2014, and mentorship support for Ellensburg and Spokane’s subsequent CVI efforts, earned Artstra statewide recognition in Olympia.
Further strengthening its leadership role, Artstra organized two Arts and Culture Summits in 2012 and 2017, convening community leaders and arts development experts. These gatherings laid important groundwork for the 2018 update of Vancouver’s Culture, Arts & Heritage Plan.
In 2013, Artstra organized Clark County’s first Open Studios Tour, helping establish a distinct regional arts identity. The Clark County Open Studios program has since revealed the depth of creative talent north of the Columbia River, drawing not only local residents but also visitors from across the greater region eager to explore artists’ studios and works.
Another signature initiative, Poetry Moves, was launched in 2015 through a partnership with C-Tran. Developed with the support of then Clark County Poet Laureate Christopher Luna and Printed Matter Vancouver co-founder Toni Lumbrazo Luna, the program brings poetry to public transit—transforming buses into moving galleries that celebrate the written word.
Since its inception, Artstra has also played a vital role in funding and supporting the arts community. Through fiscal sponsorships and more than $30,000 in grants to individual artists and small nonprofits, Artstra has strengthened the region’s creative ecosystem. Its partnerships span organizations such as the Vancouver Downtown Association, The Historic Trust, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Washington State Arts Commission, Washington State Arts Alliance, Artist Trust, City of Vancouver, C-Tran, Clark County, PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center Foundation, Vancouver Public Schools, and the Vancouver Chamber of Commerce—each collaboration advancing Artstra’s mission to nurture and sustain the arts in our region.
Today, Artstra continues to build on its founding vision—to elevate, connect, and sustain the arts across Southwest Washington. From grassroots advocacy to innovative programming, Artstra remains a catalyst for creativity and collaboration. Guided by a belief that art enriches every aspect of community life, Artstra looks to the future with the same passion and commitment that first sparked its creation—ensuring that the arts will continue to thrive north of the river and beyond.
The development of a thriving arts center north of the Columbia River has been key to Artstra’s vision as an organization. In advocating for arts infrastructure, we encourage visionary leadership committed to learning not only from excellent built examples across the nation, but from history.
ARTS CENTER EFFORTS TIMELINE
1980
City of Vancouver buys the old First Presbyterian Church. Columbia Arts Center begins operations and renovations, subsidized by the City.
1994
Volunteer nine-member Cultural Commission established to advise Vancouver City Council.
1998
City takes over financially troubled Columbia Arts Center, asks nonprofit group to leave.
1999
The Cooperative Arts Council of Clark County takes over operations of Columbia Arts Center.
Columbia Arts Center closes suddenly, locks changed, performances cancelled.
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra begins performing at Skyview Concert Hall.
2000
Arts organizations tour Vancouver Barracks with Minneapolis-based Artspace.
City sells old First Presbyterian Church building, new owner offers a portion of the space for a revived Columbia Arts Center.
2001
Public forum on the future of the arts in Clark County held at WSUV with speakers Barbara Shepherd of JFK Center for the Performing Arts, Kristy Edmunds of PICA, and Chris Velasco of Artspace who, The Columbian reported, shared study “showing that 150 artists working in various media within this region would move into the [Vancouver Barracks] tomorrow if they were turned into studios. In addition, he said he has interest from 20 arts organizations within a 100-mile radius that also would like to relocate here.”
2002
WSU Vancouver considers building performing arts center.
2003
North Bank Artists Gallery opens.
Southwest Washington Center for the Arts (SWCA) founded with a mission “to facilitate the building of a world class center for the arts to enhance the educational, economic, and cultural vitality for SW Washington, to be centrally located in the city of Vancouver.”
2005
Proposal developed for ARTillery arts community at Vancouver Barracks.
2007
Historic Trust decides Artillery building is better suited for lodging and suggests Post Hospital for arts center.
SWCA produces a feasibility study showing option for performing arts center within $110 million mixed-use development on downtown Vancouver’s Block 10.
2008
City halts development on Block 10 for two years while SWCA seeks funds for development.
2010
SWCA’s 2-year option for Block 10 runs out.
2011
Historic Trust holds community conversation about Post Hospital building as a possible arts center.
2012
Artstra holds Arts and Culture Summit, “Creating a voice”
SWCA produces feasibility for a performing arts center on the site of the Vancouver Police Headquarters in the Vancouver National Historic Reserve.
2013
Vancouver seeks new proposals for Block 10.
VOCA opens flexible space arts venue.
Slocum House Theater closes.
2014
Vancouver City Council dedicates downtown Arts District
2017
North Bank Artists Gallery closes its doors.
Art at the Cave gallery opens
Artstra holds second Arts and Culture Summit, “Creating space for the arts”
SWCA produces a feasibility analysis for a waterfront performing arts center.
2019
Vancouver establishes new Culture, Arts and Heritage Commission.
KO Projects with Opsis Architecture produces feasibility study for a performing arts center possibly co-located with an arts-focused elementary school and maker space on the site of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library’s headquarters.