Last week, the Oregon Cultural Trust announced $1.54 million in grants to support arts, culture and humanities projects across the state. RACC received $4,000 to clean and conserve the...
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.
6/23/11
8/11/11
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Since July 2009, local artist Arvie Smith has been working with youth in pre-trial detention under Measure 11 at the Multnomah County Juvenile Services Division to create five 8‟x15", murals...
2/15/11
2/15/11
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February 14, 2011 article in The Oregonian:
Arvie Smith, a professor at the Pacific Northwest College of Art, has taught 109 young men at the Donald E. Long Home, the Multnomah...
12/2/10
12/2/10
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The RACC is pleased to announce a new “Guide to Portland Public Art” brochure.
The guide,...
11/16/10
11/23/10
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On November 18, Mayor Sam Adams, PDC, PBOT, ODOT, RACC, the Kenton Neighborhood Assoc., and the Kenton Business Assoc. celebrated the completion of the N. Denver Avenue Streetscape Project...
10/22/10
10/22/10
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The Center for the Arts Foundation is pleased to announce the long awaited arrival of Seattle Artist, Claudia Fitch’s FineTunedTulle public art project. Commissioned by the Center...
9/27/10
10/4/10
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RACC officials and 80 residents from the American Plaza Condominiums, gathered at the condominiums’ Lincoln Pool Patio on a sunny Friday afternoon, August 20 to celebrate restoration of...
1/12/10
1/12/10
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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...
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.
