Art ala Carte, Portland

A sprawling salad bar stands center stage within Art ala Carte's studio. But you won't find lettuce and dressing inside. Instead, the bar dispenses ingredients for creativity: water colors, beads, and other art supplies. Each visit grants kids, teenagers, and parents unlimited access to these supplies, enough to create countless necklaces, collages, and portraits. And much like the craft days at regular salad bars, things often get messy. Luckily, the studio's staff takes care of all cleanup. In fact, an absence of parental involvement in the creative process is one of the staff's few stipulations. While adults are welcome to create alongside kids, Art ala Carte believes little artists should make their own creative choices. In this way, art can help them gain the confidence Mick Jagger developed after his mother stopped holding the mic for him on tour.

Because of their belief in empowering young ones, Art ala Carte brings its studio to as many kids as possible. They give away memberships to families in need, and the team takes a mobile version of their art bar to schools and community areas.