Overview
The Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center (IFCC) is a community-based arts center located in North Portland. It was founded in 1982 by Portland's first Black Commissioner and Parks’ Director, Charles Jordan. IFCC has served as a cultural home for the Black community in N/NE since its founding. The building consists of a 99-seat theater, rehearsal studio, and gallery. It was originally constructed in 1910 and used as a fire station until 1959.
Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) and the IFCC Community Advisory Committee (CAC) have proposed the expansion and redevelopment of IFCC as a Center for Black Arts & Culture. The IFCC CAC envisions a center “where the history of Portland's Black community, and its rich arts and culture contributions, can be presented, displayed, discussed, and honored.” A feasibility study, funded by the 2020 Parks Local Option Levy (Parks Levy), is currently underway
IFCC Grant and Residency Program
IFCC is currently activated by the IFCC Grant and Residency Program through early 2025, funded by the American Rescue Plan. This initiative is part of the City of Portland’s larger Relief and Recovery for Artists of Color program which supports Portland artists who have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
2023-2024 Grant Recipients and Resident Artists
DJ Ashé
RaShaunda Brooks
Licity Collins
Ime N. Etuk
Jill Giedt
Elijah Hasan
Roberta Hunte
elijah jamal asani
Akela Jaffi (BASS)
Lovely Visions, LLC
Nsayi Matingou
maximiliano
Evan McCreary
Roman Norfleet
Noah Simpson
Damaris Webb
2023-2024 Artist Events
PRECIPICE: A New Solo Play
Presented by Resident Artist Damaris Webb and Vanport Mosaic
Saturday, March 9, 2024 7:30pm
Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 2pm
Suggested donation: $5 students/seniors; $10 general; Tickets: PRECIPICE: A New Solo Play |Eventbrite
Combining direct experience through overnight camping in different parts of the state, with the relative safety in a NE Portland multigenerational home, Precipicepresses against the boundaries of memory, media reports, geological truths, legacy, DNA reports, and the value of listening to the land.
All Rise: A Staged Reading
Presented by Resident Artist Evan McCreary
Friday, March 1, 2024 at 7:00 pm
Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 2:30 & 7pm
Sunday, March 3, 2024 at 2:30 & 7pm
$5-10; Tickets: ALL RISE Events | Eventbrite
This play follows Valerie Williams after the murder of her teenaged son at the hands of police. She finds herself in a tumultuous battle with the criminal justice system in a desperate attempt to avenge her young son’s stolen life. Hailed as “the voice of his generation”, Evan McCreary’s award-winning, debut play is a timely, relevant, poignant confrontation and catharsis of the current state of our country.
Local Filmmakers Showcase
Presented by Resident Artist Nsayi Matingou
Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 6:30pm
$5 suggested donation
Featuring short films by local Black creatives: Daniel Haile, Elijah Hasan, Vaughn Kimmons, Nsayi Matingou
Music, Conversation and More
Presented by Resident Artist Elijah Hasan
Saturday, December 9, 2023, 2-5pm
This event is free
Jazz Is Black To The Future—a conversation with Eric Richardson + poetry by Elijah Hasan
"Resistance" music and song by Elijah Hasan with various guests
Reading from Hasan’s novel "Martyrdom of The Puppet Master"
Noah Simpson & Domo Branch
Presented by Resident Artist Noah Simpson
Friday, December 15, 2023 at 7:30pm
$10 suggested donation
Presented by Albina Trust Music; A World Arts Foundation Production
Film Screening of "Darker Than Blue"
Presented by Resident Artist Elijah Hasan
December 16, 2023 at 2:30pm
This event is free
A documentary about the experiences of Black and Brown officers within the Portland Police Bureau. Original score by Elijah Hasan; featuring Cary Simms, Darrell Grant, Eric Richardson, and C Anthony B.