Mess Arts

Mess Arts is a visual arts program with a special focus on youth leadership, safe spaces, and community.

Our Programs

Support our programs

We strive to offer programming that is accessible to anyone who wants to participate.

In the past we have operated as a traditional non profit, reliant on both private, in kind, and institutional donations. As of January 2026 we have switched to a more mutual aid centered model, but are still of course open to donations of any kind which would go to materials for our current programming.

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Testimonials

 Mess Arts has become a trusted safe place where I know my child is free to be herself and will learn about the same values that I hold dear—especially around accepting and embracing ourselves, our art, and other people and treating everyone in an inclusive and kind manner.  The inclusion model allowed my daughter to fully participate even when finances were much more strained for my family, and I was excited when we could afford to pay a little more than when we started, knowing that the extra amount may allow another child to participate at a lower cost.

Shannon

 It's not just a place where our kids go to do art; it's a second home where they feel safe to experiment, make mistakes, and learn from them. The atmosphere is incredibly nurturing, and the intentional work that has been modeled for children as to what the community should look and feel like. The children are truly stakeholders. This is in part  to the dedicated staff who go above and beyond to ensure that every child feels valued and supported in their artistic journey, and the emphasis on authenticity that is constantly modeled for the young artists.

Sara

Mess Arts has been a great help to me as a single parent because finding reliable childcare can be difficult. What Mess Arts offers is a safe environment where I know my daughter is well taken care of and listening to the instructors. I can go to work worry-free. It provides so many resources, and on top of that, the children learn a lot—through things like field trips, and just simple activities where Mess Arts encourages the kids to get involved and make a difference in the community.

Andrea