Your support of Hilltop Artists creates a future for young artists

Your support of Hilltop Artists creates a
future for young artists.

Hilltop Artists began as a bold intervention in our community, founded by local leaders who believed that creativity can change lives.

In 1994, with support from Dale Chihuly, Kathy Kaperick, and a group of dedicated artists and educators, our program took shape in an empty woodshop at what was then Jason Lee Middle School. Thirty years later, that compassionate effort has grown into a community movement in service of our youth.

Today, Hilltop Artists serves more than 650 students each year, offering young people across Pierce County access to high-quality arts education, mentorship, and a strong support system. We work with students at Hilltop Heritage Middle School, Silas High School, and, because our young people asked for it, have recently expanded to pilot programs and classroom support at Tacoma School of the Arts and Stadium High School.

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Why the growth? Because our students share what they gain at Hilltop Artists and want their friends to have that same opportunity. They don’t just learn technical skills. They learn how to solve problems, work as a team, follow through on a vision, and find joy in creating something with their own hands. They show up, support one another, and grow into leaders.

We run hot glass furnaces every day of the year, and we work hard to keep our programs tuition-free for every student. That’s only possible because people like you choose to keep the fires going.
Your support truly makes a difference.

More and more of our donors are choosing meaningful, tax-smart ways to give—through Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), donor-advised funds, or gifts of appreciated stock. These options make it possible to have a lasting impact while also meeting your financial goals.

Supporters John and Buzz Folsom shared this with us:

“When we learned about Hilltop Artists several years ago we wanted to commit to supporting such a program that was helping to build Tacoma students’ confidence, problem solving abilities and communication skills. More recently we have been able to make annual donations through Qualified Charitable Distributions from our IRAs. Those ‘QCDs’ have allowed us to support Hilltop Artists as well as help us to meet Federal IRA distribution requirements; and the donations have been tax free. (We encourage anyone who is interested in learning about their IRA’s potential for Qualified Charitable Distributions to consult their IRA’s Trustee.) Thank you, we applaud your interest in Tacoma’s students.”

If you’ve never been to our studios, I’d love to invite you in. Seeing the energy, creativity, and focus of our students in action is unforgettable.

Learn about smart-giving options

Hilltop Artists is building something that lasts: one student, one sculpture, one spark at a time.

Please consider joining the Folsoms and hundreds of others who are helping us keep the furnaces lit and our students thriving.

Make a gift today. Be part of our story.

With gratitude,
Katy Evans, Deputy Director