News Briefs
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9/7 Wilson Cluster Chalk Art Festival. A FREE sidewalk chalk art event for all ages and abilities, on from 11am to 1pm at the Hillsdale Farmers Market hosted by the Wilson Area Arts Council (WAAC). Show off your artistic flair as we celebrate the arts in the nine Wilson Cluster schools. Talented chalk artists will provide tips and demonstrations during the event and help introduce our budding artists to the beauty of sidewalk chalk art. If you would like to be part of this exciting event and volunteer your time, please contact Linda Doyle at lsdoyle@earthlink.net or 503.246.5979.
8/30-9/1 Art in the Pearl. More than 100 artisans sell their wares in the midddle of the Pearl District on the north Park Blocks between West Burnside and NW Glisan at NW 8th Ave. Sat-Sun 10am-6pm; Mon 10am-5pm. Visit www.artinthepearl.com.
8/7 Update on City Arts Gallery Closure. The City Arts Gallery closed in downtown Portland in January 2008 without, in some cases, paying artists for sales or allowing artists to retrieve their work. On August 5, 2008, the Gallery was ordered by a Multnomah County Court to pay sculptor Michelle Gallagher and painter Margie Lee the funds they were owed. The owners are also facing a legal battle with the City of Portland for back rent and taxes. Send the owners an email at info@cityartsoregon.com if they owe you money or your artwork. If they do not return your request, you have a right and an obligation to file a complaint with the Oregon Department of Justice (503-229-5576 or www.doj.state.or.us). For more information on this matter contact Michelle Gallagher at Michelle@thefunnything.com who is one of the 80 artists affected by this untimely and unfortunate closure. Read more; 8/7 The Oregonian article Stiffed artists win suit against downtown Portland gallery; 3/27 Willamette Week article, Red Ink: Local Gallery Owes Thousands To Artists. And Some Are Pissed.
8/2 Cultural Trust pays out $1.65 million. The grants represent an increase of 21 percent to organizations in Oregon. Christine D’Arcy, of the Oregon Arts Commission, also announced plans for Oregon’s first statewide Day of Culture for October 8, 2008, marking the sixth anniversary of the passage of Oregon’s cultural tax credit. The Trust plans to rally Oregon’s cultural nonprofits to make their programming, artists, scholars and facilities as accessible as possible that day, and will organize public events in various sites across the state to draw attention to the breadth and vitality of Oregon culture. For a full listing of all Oregon recipients, including Portland, visit http://www.culturaltrust.org/about/press_releases/FY09_Grants_Announcement_080108.pdf.
7/11 Meyer Memorial Trust July Awards given to two Portland art organizations. Portland Opera Association received $150,000 to increase capacity through critical capital and technology improvements. White Bird received $100,000 to support White Bird Uncaged dance performance series while its regular venue is being rehabilitated. For more information visit http://www.mmt.org/news/latest/#n787.
6/23/08 Cultural Grants Awarded to 21 Washington County Organizations. The Washington County Arts, Heritage and Humanities Coalition (WCAHHC) recently awarded grants to 21 Washington County organizations for cultural projects to be conducted between July 2008 and June 2009. Grants were distributed through a competitive process to address goals of the Washington County Cultural Plan. Grants will support projects including music, theater, leadership development, marketing, heritage and art experiences. Grant awards ranged from $1,000-$2,000. For a complete listing visit
the Washington County Arts, Heritage and Humanities Coalition at www.westsideculturalalliance.org.
5/15 Oregon's Creative Vitality Index Continues to Exceed National Average. Oregon's creative health continues to grow and become more robust, according to a updated report commissioned by the Oregon Arts Commission. Oregon is only the second state in the nation to measure its Creative Vitality Index, or CVI. Oregon's 2007 CVI ranks 1.12 against the national average of 1; in 2006, it ranked 1.05. 2007's statewide index represents a growth of more than 6% over 2006, with five county clusters or workforce development areas at 1 or above: Benton, Lincoln, Linn 1.07; Gilliam, Hood River, Sherman, Wheeler, Wasco 1.06; Lane 1.17; Jackson, Josephine 1.28; Multnomah, Washington 2.27. The Creative Vitality Index, or CVI, drawn from existing census, employment and other available data, measures public participation in the arts as well as arts-related employment. It includes data from the profit and not-for-profit sectors to map the impact of creative pursuits in a local economy. The full report is available online at www.oregonartscommission.org, and a summary report, Creative Vitality in Oregon, is available both online and in print. Copies of the summary may be requested by calling 503.986.0082 or emailing oregon.artscomm@state.or.us.
4/23 Oregon Media Arts Fellowships Awarded to Two Filmmakers. The Oregon Media Arts Fellowship, established to recognize and support the work of Oregon film and video makers, announces its 2008 awards: $10,000 and $5,000 Fellowships to Portland filmmakers Chel White and David Walker, respectively. Funded by the Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Public Broadcasting and the Gordon D. Sondland and Katherine J. Durant Foundation, with additional in-kind support from The Oregon Film & Video Office and Chambers Communications, the Fellowships are a collaborative undertaking by Oregon's public and private agencies dedicated to the development of Oregon's film, video and creative potential. For more information visit NW Film Center at www.nwfilm.org; or the Oregon Arts Commission at www.oregonartscommission.org.
View Milepost5: Artists Live/Work Condominiums at on NE 81st & Oregon St. This space is being transformed into affordable live/work condominiums and rental spaces, community, commercial and project spaces -- exclusively for artists. Models on display. Nearly 30% of the units have reservations. There are grants available for closing costs including a $2,500 grant for artists. Visit www.milepostfive.com and see floor plans, pricing, information on how to purchase a unit, and more. Or call Deborah 503.729.3223 or visit on-site at Milepost 5, NE 81st and Oregon, on Sundays from 1- 4p.m.
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RACC Staff to Contact
Mary Bauer
Communications Associate
503.823.5426
mbauer@racc.org
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