What is TRICA’S mission?

Celebrating its 28th year, the Treasure Valley Institute for Children’s Arts (TRICA) provides meaningful, world-class experiences in the arts taught by outstanding and loving Educators, inspiring children to a stronger sense of Humanity, Community and Good Will. Our programs include Summer Arts Camps (ages 3-14), AfterSchool: Capture the Castle Program (Grades K-3), Family Dance Night, Original Production and Performances, Large-Scale Visual Arts and Performing Arts experiences, world-class arts instruction for young learners, adult arts education and volunteering opportunities, and exciting enrichment in preschools and schools across the Treasure Valley. In 2019, Jon Swarthout & TRICA received a “2019 Good Neighbor Award” from the Boise Mayor and TRICA was designated as a “2020 Top-Rated Nonprofit” by The Great Nonprofits organization. The historic venue has received several accolades to note: in 2021, TRICA received ‘Best Overall’ Building Excellence Award from the City of Boise, and in 2022, Idaho Business Review named TRICA “Project of the Year.”

An abandoned cathedral gets a new life

The Immanuel Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1907 for a large, active Boise congregation who worshipped together for decades. It served as a gathering place for people in the North End and across the City of Boise. It eventually fell into disrepair and became the site of illegal activity. Many neighbors still remember it as an unsafe nuisance property. It was listed as one of the “Top 10 Most Endangered and Threatened Historic Sites in the State of Idaho.” Today with the help of partner organizations and hundreds of community volunteers we celebrate the transformation of this historic landmark into a children’s art school that provides inspiration and art education for children and families in Idaho’s Treasure Valley and beyond.

Who saved this historic landmark?

2500+ individuals have pitched in financially — from Brownie Troops to Preschool and Elementary students and parents, to the North End Neighborhood Association and three of the largest foundations in the State — our whole community has come together to save the cathedral and secure it for the next hundred years. Neighbors have volunteered for landscape projects, painting, and more. Parents of young children often follow up with glowing reviews of TRICA’s impact on their child and are thrilled TRICA is repurposing the stone church as a home for the children’s arts school.

Major funding for bricks and mortar restoration has been provided by:

  • J.A. & Katherine Albertson Foundation

  • Sunderland Foundation

  • Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation

  • Swig Family Foundation

  • EPA Brownfields

  • Erstad Architects

  • TMC Masonry

  • Langan Barber Foundation

  • FUNDSY

  • Simplot Family Foundation

  • C.K. Haun and Karen Meyer

  • Julius C. Jeker Foundation and Family Trust

  • Gladys E. Langroise Advised Fund in the Idaho Community Foundation

  • Bews Foundation

What about transportation?

The building is a pedestrian-friendly, bikeable destination, easily accessed with public transportation. TRICA is creating (8) parking spaces behind the bungalow to the north of the church, including a handicap-accessible space as well as room for a large van to transport TRICA students. The children’s art school will feature a designated safe drop-off/pick-up area. Visitors are encouraged to leave their car at home.

How does the TRICA Building Fit into the North End Neighborhood Plan?

TRICA is adding creativity and vibrancy in the heart of the urban Hyde Park Neighborhood as a center of learning through the arts. The building is a pedestrian-friendly, bikeable destination, easily accessed with public transportation. Attendees are encouraged to leave their car at home. The campus features (8) parking spaces at the rear, including a handicap-accessible space as well as room for a large van to transport TRICA students. TRICA’s Founder Jon Swarthout was invited to serve on the committee for the North End Neighborhood plan. The two key areas TRICA is expected to contribute the most are Placemaking and Community Engagement.

How can I help?

Please help spread the word about TRICA and its programs. Make a financial contribution. Watch for volunteer opportunities. If you have any questions, we’d love to answer them! Reach out to us directly: email info@trica.org or call 208-344-2220.

DEIA Statement: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility

At TRICA, we are committed to creating an environment that honors the humanity of all people. Our work with the very youngest members of society occurs before discrimination ever has a chance to take root. Children care little about how people look--they care most about how they're treated and made to feel. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) are fundamental principles that guide our work. Placing DEIA at the center of our engagement with children, families, schools, artists, and partnerships local and worldwide is essential to the vitality and integrity of TRICA'S work and to the achievement of our core mission. We acknowledge the patterns of racism and other forms of discrimination and oppression that harm our students and communities. We are committed to dismantling these patterns and to critical examination of the ways in which equity is fostered or hindered in our teaching practices, artistic production, administrative processes, and organizational culture. TRICA is an equal opportunity employer actively working toward creating an ever more just and inclusive environment for the important work we do.