Hilltop Artists

Home
United States
Tacoma, WA
Hilltop Artists

https://www.hilltopartists.org Students are never turned away based on past behavior, grades, disabilities, or artistic talent.

Since 1994, Tacoma-based Hilltop Artists has served young people ages 12 - 26 by providing tuition-free glass instruction, mentorship, and opportunities for collaborative leadership and career readiness. Our mission: using glass art to connect young people from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds to better futures.

06/11/2026

Each year, Hilltop Artists students and alums work together with the MOG artists to create the centerpiece sculptures for our annual fundraising luncheon.

Visit the artists at the Museum of Glass where they will work together August 12th through August 16th. We highly recommend you make some time to visit on Sunday, August 16th when Executive Director Kimberly Keith will give a talk about the creative process and share Hilltop Artists updates.

🔥Find more information about hours and admission for the Museum of Glass—https://www.hilltopartists.org/event/mog-residency-2026/

06/10/2026

ARTS CONNECT SHOWCASE
JUNE 11TH | 5:30 - 6:30 PM
SILAS HIGH SCHOOL HOT SHOP

Join us in celebrating the youth of Arts Connect as they showcase their handmade glass pieces and share their journeys through art.

Artwork created by participants will be available for purchase, with all proceeds donated to a local organization that supports women and children experiencing housing instability.

Come celebrate creativity, community, and the power of art to make a difference! Learn more about our Arts Connect programs at hilltopartists.org/programs/arts-connect/

🌞 Arts Connect is supported in part by Tacoma Creates.

06/09/2026

Announcing the Compass Rose Tacoma + Hilltop Artists Pop-up!

Join us to learn more about programs and events, discover how to get involved, and shop beautiful glass creations made by Hilltop Artists.

📍 Compass Rose Tacoma
📅 Saturday, June 27 | 10 AM - 2 PM

Thanks so much to our friends at Compass Rose for the opportunity to share the power of our programs with the community!

06/03/2026

Waves of Glass is a partnership program between Hilltop Artists and Communities for a Healthy Bay. Each session, youth will learn about water health and marine ecology and then make a public glass art installation inspired by what they learned.

The summer program will run July 27th – August 6th, from 9 AM to 12 PM. The first week will be Monday – Thursday and the following week will be Tuesday – Thursday. Programming will be held at Tacoma School of the Arts 1950 building.

This session is open to high schoolers only. Please reach out to Carleigh at [email protected] with any questions.

🐠 Get more info and sign up—https://www.hilltopartists.org/programs/waves-of-glass/

06/01/2026

Hilltop Artists is now accepting applications for the Outreach Services Coordinator position.

Hilltop Artists is seeking a collaborative, equity-centered Outreach Services Coordinator to support our youth outreach initiatives, including Arts Connect, after-school, and summer programs. This role balances administrative coordination (enrollment logistics, data tracking, and scheduling) with impactful, direct-service youth engagement.

Guided by anti-racism, trauma-informed care, and restorative practices, you will connect youth and families with resources and support.

Visit our website to read the full job description and submit your application—https://www.hilltopartists.org/get-involved/work-with-us/

05/29/2026

For decades, Hilltop Artists has—like many small but mighty nonprofits—asked a lot of our team. We’ve worn many hats, and we’ve often traded, added, and stacked those hats! But as we prepare for strategic growth, we know that the scrappy model can only take us so far.

This work is fueled by your investment, and as we look forward, this strategic foundation is paying off with several landmark initiatives we’re realizing in the next year including a partnership with Tacoma Community College, a recycled glass pilot program in collaboration with the City of Tacoma, expansions to our SOTA program

As you consider your spring giving, we want to share how asset-based donations can make a lasting difference for both you and our students. By donating non-cash assets, you can often provide more support than a traditional gift while receiving significant tax benefits: https://connect.clickandpledge.com/w/Form/b4e3f9fa-07db-44aa-8f03-a23f7b2d8885?&trk=FB

Your generosity ensures that Tacoma’s young people continue to build confidence and community, just like the story we have shared about our alum, David. If you’d like to talk through giving options or want to visit the hot shop to see this teamwork in action, please reach out. We would love to see you.

05/26/2026

At Hilltop Artists, we've been connecting young people to better futures through tuition-free glass arts education since 1994—during that time, thousands of students have shown us that the most important thing we offer isn't the glass. It's belonging.

This spring, Hilltop Artists alum David will become the first in his family to earn a degree—and like so many students who have gone through the program, he's already giving back, returning between semesters to teach young people who sat where he once did. "I've got kids calling me 'Unc' now," he laughs. "I used to get mad about that--I'm still young! Now I realize it's a signal to always do better, they’re looking up to me."

That's what we're really growing here. Young people who understand that what they do affects everyone around them; who not only look toward their own futures, but remember those behind them and reach a hand back through the door.

♥️ Make a year-end gift—https://connect.clickandpledge.com/w/Form/b4e3f9fa-07db-44aa-8f03-a23f7b2d8885?&trk=FB

🔥 If you'd like to see the work your support helps make possible, David's portfolio is at riosonfire.com. It's an extraordinary reminder of what "person by person" change actually looks like.
⁠

05/20/2026

Applications for our Summer Glass Arts programs are still open!

Summer Glass Arts are held at Hilltop Heritage Middle School and Silas High School in multi-week sessions.

Middle school students rotate between glassblowing, flameworking, and glass fusion during a 2 week session at Hilltop Heritage MS. There will be time for lunch/snacks and some food will be provided through TPS. Students must be at least 12 to participate.

Priority application deadline is June 1st.

☀️Visit our website for more program info and links to apply—https://www.hilltopartists.org/programs/summer/

05/19/2026

✨ Tickets for the Better Futures Luncheon are now available! ✨ Join us Tuesday, October 6, 2026, from 10:30 AM - 1 PM as we celebrate another year of impact, artistry, and community. 💙

Every ticket, every donation, and every moment you share with us helps build brighter futures for our young artists. Let's keep the momentum going!

🎟️Tickets and more info at https://www.hilltopartists.org/betterfutures/

05/18/2026

Our students had an amazing time collaborating as part of Better Together at Pilchuck last week!

The Better Together Residency is an annual, hot-shop focused residency dedicated to supporting BIPOC emerging artists in expanding their bodies of work and exploring new creative directions. Better Together is hosted by Pilchuck in partnership with Crafting the Future and Hilltop Artists.

Address

602 North Sprague Street
Tacoma, WA
98403

Telephone

+12535717747

Website

http://hilltopartists.org/, http://bit.ly/Hilltop_Artists_mailing_list

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Hilltop Artists posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Tacoma?