The Skatepark:
Unveiled earlier this winter, RampArt features 4,000 square feet of indoor wooden ramps, artwork, and music for year round use. More than an athletic facility, RampArt offers a multitude of instructional courses and workshops to expose the community to new art forms and engage youth in constructive activities. The park is open evenings and weekends to the general public with afterschool hours tailored to youth. Although RampArt charges a nominal admission, we aim to keep fees affordable for all community members and offer programs to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate regardless of income.
About Our Group:
Formed as a DreamMaker project of The Ink People Center for the Arts, the RampArt Collective is a coalition of skateboarders, BMX cyclists, and artists dedicated to establishing an indoor skatepark facility in our community. Directed by Skate and BMX professionals Robert Jensen and Matt Barry, the RampArt Collective is comprised of six esteemed members representative of the skate and bmx community, hundreds strong in our region.
Why Non-Profit?
A chief goal of The RampArt Collective is to sustain the long-term viability of the program for future generations of aspiring skateboarders and artists. Fittingly, RampArt has adopted a non-profit business model to allow for a diverse range of funding possibilities and to ensure the program outlasts its founding members. As a program of The Ink People, RampArt benefits from their thirty years of experience as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and share similar goals of community engagement and exploration of the arts. All funds generated by RampArt go toward expanding programs offered to youth, improving the skatepark, and keeping the admission fee’s low-cost. RampArt relies largely on the support of community members and local businesses to allow us to offer this valuable program to the community. You can help support RampArt by making a donation or becoming a sustaining member of the program. Donations are fully tax-deductible through The Ink People Center for the Arts. Please contact us directly for information about sponsorship and advertising at the skatepark.
The Need for Our Program:
RampArt was initially formed out of the simple necessity for a sheltered venue in our wet climate for the skateboarding and cycling community. Since the closure in 2006 of Outlaw indoor skatepark, the local skate and bmx community has found itself limited to daylight hours and the whims of mother nature, especially in the winter months. Adding to these pitfalls, the existing outdoor skateparks often fail to engage and inspire area youth. Artwork such as murals and graffiti are strictly forbidden in the parks and amplified music is prohibited. The public skateparks also provide little supervision or structured activity for youth. Conversely, the positive effects are remarkable when a skatepark engages youth in constructive activities and creates an atmosphere conducive to personal growth. RampArt also addresses the necessity for area youth to have a means for physical activity in the rainy season. For many youth, particularly those that do not identify with traditional ball sports, skateboarding is their sole form of physical activity and creative outlet. Hundreds of skateboarders, BMXers, and parents in the community have shown support for this project with hopes of having a venue to explore their talents while having protection from the weather.