About WAC

Willamette Art Center: A Place to Learn and Grow in the Arts

The Willamette Art Center is an artists’ oasis tucked amidst the oaks of the Oregon State Fairgrounds. It is Salem’s only community art center for hands-on activities in art, with a primary focus of ceramics. The Willamette Art Center’s programming, services, and activities revolve around three main areas: art education and promotion, art opportunity and the betterment of the community through art. These services and activities are accomplished by offering exciting classes, workshops, studio workspace for the independent artist, the Artisans’ Village at the Oregon State Fair, Family Clay Sundays and the Empty Bowls sale to benefit Marion Polk Food Share.

Mission

Our new mission statement is:

Willamette Art Center’s mission is to maintain a sustainable and welcoming community for lifelong learning and exploration of the arts.

It replaces “The Friends encourage lifelong learning and exploration of the arts as a vital ingredient for the health of individuals and communities.”

The new mission statement better communicates the WAC’s purpose.

• “Welcoming” tells the world what we do and strive to cultivate – a safe space where artists can create in a community setting.
• “Sustainable” indicates that the board and staff will make decisions that ensure that the WAC remains financially stable by wisely managing resources and seeking additional funding to keep programs affordable.

Outreach

WAC’s programming is focused on access to the arts, promoting the arts, and improving the community.

• WAC classes and workshops (scholarships available)
• Family Clay Sunday (minimal pricing to encourage community use)
• Studio availability
• Artist in Residence programs in the schools
• School field trips
• Empty Bowls event which benefits Marion Polk Food Share
• Artisans’ Village at the Oregon State Fair

Classes

We offer art classes, events, and fun for all ages at the WAC…

• Take an Art Class
• Make Ceramics
• Throw a Birthday Party
• Paint your own Pottery
• Try Raku Firing
• Enjoy a project at Family Clay Sunday with your kids
• Make some Art, with daily or monthly passes
• Host a Corporate or Club “Arty Party”
• Join us at the Artisan’s Village during the Oregon State Fair
• Celebrate Graduations and Anniversaries

We’re always looking for members, students, and donors. If you love hands-on art and would like to see Salem continue its long tradition of offering quality art classes to one and all, then come on over and see what we’re all about. Have some fun at the WAC!

Meetings

Meetings are necessary for the smooth running of the WAC. Our board meetings are generally open to the public and we have at least one membership meeting each year. The board meeting is usually held during the second week of the month. Meeting times vary, so please check our calendar to verify the specific day and time. You can view past meeting minutes here.

Nonprofit Organization

The Friends of the Visual Arts, dba The Willamette Art Center, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Federal Tax ID# 20-3892277) and a member of the Oregon Cultural Trust.

Tax Returns

We consider our finances as a matter of public record, and we welcome any and all donors to inquire, at any time, exactly how their generous gifts are being used.

Bylaws

These bylaws are the governing document of our nonprofit organization and guide how our nonprofit is run.

Policies

We have adopted the following policies in order to provide you with the best and safest experience at the WAC.

Donor Privacy Policy

Willamette Art Center does not copy, reproduce, publish, post, distribute, share or sell the name, personal contact information, or description of donation by donor to any outside individual or business. Exceptions shall be those required by law, requested in grant applications, or in connection with bank credit or debit card transactions that may be made without prior knowledge or consent of the donor.

Willamette Art Center does acknowledge donors by name and/or description of donation, after the donors have given their written permission, in certain printed material such as newsletters, brochures, press releases, event invitations or programs, stationery, solicitation letters, the organization’s website or other means of expressing appreciation for the donors’ assistance. A donor wishing to view samples of these publications may do so by contacting the Willamette Art Center at the address above.

Willamette Art Center will provide, at least annually, a means (such as a check-off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their names acknowledged on any of the printed material mentioned above. All donations shall be treated individually so that multiple donations from a single donor shall receive the same consideration as if each were the first donation received.

If a donor chooses to opt out of any acknowledgment listings in printed material, the donor’s name and address will be made available only to members and/or staff of Willamette Art Center who are responsible for managing the business of the corporation.

A printed copy of Willamette Art Center’s Donor Privacy Policy will be mailed to a donor upon request and is also available on the corporation’s website.

All records of donations to Willamette Art Center shall be maintained by the corporation according to the applicable standards of record retention in effect at the time of the donation. All records will be maintained in a secure location of the chapter.

A donor’s photograph will not be used at any time or in any WAC publication without the donor’s written consent. In the case of a minor, written permission will be obtained from the parent/guardian.

Non-Discrimination Policy

It is the policy of Willamette Art Center to afford equal opportunity in all aspects of employment, volunteering, and to all persons utilizing our programming. No person shall, on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity (as defined in paragraph 249(c)(4) of title 18, United States Code), sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or medical condition, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity.

This policy shall apply to all persons seeking our programming and to all employees, and volunteers and extends to all phases of employment, including recruitment, screening, referral, hiring, training, promotion, discharge or layoff, rehiring, compensation, and benefits.

Anyone who believes that he or she has experienced discrimination by anyone from Willamette Art Center may notify the Executive Director or the Board of Directors within 180 days of the discrimination.

Website Privacy Policy

The Friends of the Visual Arts, dba Willamette Art Center (WAC), respects the privacy of visitors to its website. The WAC strongly believes that if electronic commerce and online activities are to flourish, consumers must be assured that information provided online is used responsibly and appropriately. To protect online privacy, the WAC has implemented the following policy.

About The Information We Collect:

Most of the data and information we collect through our website is used only to help the WAC achieve its mission of helping nonprofit organizations integrate risk management into their operations. It is our policy to collect and store only personal information that our clients knowingly provide.

• From Casual Website Visitors and General Users — We do not collect any personal information from users browsing our website. When you use the public areas of our website you are doing so anonymously. We do collect aggregate use information, such as the number of hits (visits) per page. We use aggregate data for internal and marketing purposes, but we don’t collect any personally identifying information.
• From Our Clients, Donors, and Other Customers — If while visiting our website you register for a class, workshop, or pass, submit a technical assistance question, or request other information, you will be asked to provide certain information. In all cases, this information is submitted voluntarily. In most cases, the WAC asks clients to provide their name, title, organization name, address, telephone, and e-mail. If you’re making a purchase, you may be asked for credit card information in order to complete your purchase. Similar information may be submitted to the WAC on an order/registration form.

Customer Lists:

Our client list is not for sale. When you visit our website or become a client of the Willamette Art Center, your name and mailing information will not be sold to a commercial organization.

Credit Card Account Information:

The Willamette Art Center utilizes secure transaction methods (SSL) when collecting credit card information over the Internet. The WAC does not disclose credit card account information nor does it keep a record of credit card numbers provided by its clients.

How We Use Cookies:

Cookies are small bits of code that are sent to your computer when you log on to a website that allows us to identify you when you return to the site. The Willamette Art Center uses cookies only to support the operations of our shopping cart. We do not use cookies, nor do we mine, to track your usage or any other personal information about you.

Complaint Procedure:

If you suspect that we have handled your personal information in a manner that doesn’t comply with this privacy statement, please contact us by calling 503-365-3911.