Public art in Portland is coming of age, serving as both a reflection of and catalyst for the city's participatory culture and green heartbeat. Situated in Oregon's Willamette Valley between...
Overview
The region’s public art enlivens urban and rural landscapes and promotes dialogue among people of all ages and backgrounds. Through a variety of public-private partnerships, RACC helps acquire and maintain community-owned artworks in public places. A Public Art Advisory Committee oversees RACC’s public art program, which is among the oldest and most highly regarded public art programs in the country.
Comments?
We welcome your feedback on public art you view around the region. Click here to share your comments, or contact the staff listed to the right.
Public Art Programs
The City of Portland and Multnomah County both have Percent-for-Art ordinances that require 2% of most publicly-funded capital construction projects to be set aside for the creation and maintenance of public art. Over the last 10 years, hundreds of artworks have been added to the region’s permanent collection through these ordinances. RACC also facilitates the acquisition of gifts to the public art collection and manages the acquisition and placement of an extensive Portable Works Collection and the noted Visual Chronicle of Portland. Funding support is provided for outdoor public art murals in the City of Portland. With a growing and aging public art collection, conservation and maintenance are critical components of the program.
RACC offers several temporary public art opportunities for artists to engage the public without being concerned about the complexities of a permanent installation: a temporary installation space in the lobby of the Portland Building; the in situ program of temporary artworks in outdoor settings; and public art residencies through the intersections program.
RACC provides management and consultation services for public and private agencies across the country. Contact the Public Art Staff for more information on RACC’s services, including creating Public Art Master Plans, designing public art programs, managing artist selection processes, and how to serve on an Artist Selection Panel.
Resources
Public Art Listserv
Join the Public Art Listserv to receive public art commission opportunities via email, or check www.racc.org often for current public art opportunities.
Public Art Search
To browse the public art collection or to find a specific piece of public art, visit our Public Art Search database.
View the entire history of the Installation Space in the Portland Building.
Learn about the Visual Chronicle of Portland collection.
Public Art Gallery
Located on the second floor of the Portland Building in downtown Portland, this exhibition provides a comprehensive overview of the region’s public art and its substantial impact on the region’s environment.
Public Art Walking Tour Brochure
A map produced in partnership with the Portland Oregon Visitors Association in 2005. A new edition is coming soon! Download the 2005 edition here, or visit the Travel Portland visitor center, or call 503.823.5111 or email info@racc.org to have one mailed to you.
