About

Caldera Arts was founded by Dan Wieden and his family in 1996 as an arts and environmental immersion program in the mountains. The idea was to bring young people with limited opportunities together with talented creative professionals to make art and be in relationship with the natural world. Turns out it was a pretty good idea. Those who said they couldn’t draw or write or had no rhythm found out they were actually creative and those who never got to hike mountains or swim in lakes found themselves immersed in new experiences each day. 

And for nearly 25 years, the power of creativity has transformed Caldera from a small summer camp to a thriving year-round community enriching thousands of lives every year.

 OUR MISSION

Caldera’s mission is to inspire and support youth from underserved rural and urban communities by awakening the potential of their creative voice.

OUR PROGRAMS 

Caldera begins working with sixth graders and stays with them throughout middle school, high school, and all the way to adulthood. Caldera’s arts and nature–focused programming and supportive mentoring transforms Oregon youth into creative agents for change in their families and communities. We want them to develop belonging and attachment to a welcoming creative community and strive to live a self-caring and productive life.