Our message to audiences is: “Please stay with us. We’re in this together.”
Posted May 29, 2020
Arts consultant George Thorn on strategizing for a post-COVID world By Joni Renee Whitworth George Thorn is a co-founder of Arts Action Research, a national arts-consulting group. The focus of his consulting is the Regional Arts & Cultural Council’s Cultural Leadership Program. He also co-leads RACC’s Art of Leadership, a six-part board training program […]
Two new supports announced for our artists and art organization partners
Posted May 1, 2020
Arts and culture organizations, individual artists and creative workers need support now – we have been uniquely impacted and are among the first folks hurt financially by the limits on public gatherings and physical distancing requirements. That is why RACC moved quickly to advocate for and provide relief to the arts community. Our first actions included setting up the Emergency Fund for Individual Artists and bringing together arts […]
Get ready for second chance to apply for SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program
Posted April 23, 2020
Paycheck Protection Program is reopening – your guide to get ready In late March, Congress approved the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, including $350 billion for a new Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which provides fully forgivable loans to small businesses and nonprofit organizations, self-employed individuals, and gig economy/contract workers to help pay […]
RACC updates – staff working remotely and resources
Posted March 13, 2020
As the country and world respond to coronavirus and the COVID-19 situation, RACC would like to share some information and resources. First and foremost, RACC is invested in the health and well-being of the artists, arts organizations, and our communities. Please follow all directions and recommendations from your local and state authorities as well as […]
News For RACC Grantees
Posted March 13, 2020
We’ve heard from many of you with concerns about the COVID-19 virus. We want to assure you that RACC is committed to supporting the artists and organizations we work with in this rapidly evolving situation. Our staff is working remotely and you can reach your grants officers by email – see contact information below. If […]
New art brings a glow to the city’s iconic Portland Building
Posted March 5, 2020
Come visit your new art collection at the reconstructed Portland Building Public art installed in the Portland Building adds a glow to the newly renovated architectural icon. The building has always doubled as a venue to showcase public art and that role has grown with the reconstruction, which includes new pieces commissioned through the Regional […]
State of the Arts annual presentation information
Posted February 21, 2020
RACC will present its annual State of the Arts report to Portland City Council later is spring of 2020. We invite you to join us and learn how RACC and the City invest taxpayer dollars to support culture, creativity and the arts—and to thank City Council for their support. Council Chambers is equipped with a sound […]
Executive Director Madison Cario on change and growth at RACC
Posted February 18, 2020
Feb. 18, 2020 update: In the three weeks since announcing our reorganization, we have had a wide range of conversations about the changes and I appreciate the opportunity to reflect on the feedback received to date – please, keep it coming! Reach out anytime at ed@racc.org. Many stakeholders were consulted over the past year as we considered […]
Regional Arts & Culture Council and Young Audiences announce exciting partnership changes
Posted January 28, 2020
We are excited to announce that management of The Right Brain Initiative is moving from The Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC) to Young Audiences of Oregon & SW Washington (Young Audiences). This expansion of Young Audiences’ role will play to the strengths and expertise of each organization, sustain our long-standing and successful partnership, and […]
but you already knew that
Posted November 12, 2019
by Maya Vivas As an artist, community member, and co-director of a small non-profit arts organization (Ori Gallery), I’ve not only experienced what it’s like to navigate the Portland arts scene as a person holding multiple marginalized identities, but I am also a witness to what is prioritized, what is celebrated, and what is neglected. […]
The Unity Project: Unlocking Exploration in Our Foster Youth
Posted November 1, 2019
by Taryn Sauer When we invest in the creativity of our youth, we open doors to fundamental facets of learning and self-discovery. This is exactly what Color Outside the Lines has been involved in for almost a decade: harnessing creative expression in foster children and opportunity youth* as a way of connecting with themselves and […]
Introducing Giyen Kim, City Arts Program Manager
Posted October 29, 2019
The City of Portland has hired Giyen Kim to serve as the new City Arts Program Manager. With a public service career spanning nearly two decades, Giyen’s diverse background includes work in affordable housing, environmental conservation, policy development, homeless response, marketing and emergency management. She also brings a strong interest in the arts and a […]
Fresh Paint with Anke Gladnick
Posted July 31, 2019
In a city known for murals, how do you get your foot (or art) through a door when you’re an emerging artist of color? Fresh Paint, a partnership between RACC’s Public Art Murals program and Open Signal, offers that door to have artist work in the public realm. In this 2019 cycle of Fresh Paint, a selection […]
Portland Parks & Recreation + Prosper Portland + RACC: Lents Fair
Posted July 31, 2019
The Regional Arts and Culture Council, in partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation and Prosper Portland, have selected artist Molly Mendoza to create a mural in early 2020 on the exterior of a new bathroom facility in Lents Park. Molly has created a preliminary design of the mural (see image above) and is interested in […]
Fresh Paint with Bizar Gomez
Posted June 28, 2019
In a city known for murals, how do you get your foot (or art) through a door when you’re an emerging artist of color? Fresh Paint, a partnership between RACC’s Public Art Murals program and Open Signal, offers that door to have artist work in the public realm. In this 2019 cycle of Fresh Paint, a selection of […]
In celebration of Madison’s first 100 days
Posted May 30, 2019
Madison Cario has been on the job here at RACC since January. In their first 100 days in Portland they met with over 100 creatives, electeds and community partners — and recently they reflected on that experience in a blog piece here on racc.org. In addition, they also sat down to chat with three of […]
Fresh Paint with Maria Rodriguez
Posted May 24, 2019
In a city known for murals, how do you get your foot (or art) through a door when you’re an emerging artist of color? Fresh Paint, a partnership between RACC’s Public Art Murals program and Open Signal, offers that door to have artist work in the public realm. In this 2019 cycle of Fresh Paint, a selection of […]
Walkouts for comprehensive funding for education
Posted May 1, 2019
“Education is a human right with immense power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom, democracy and sustainable human development.” – Kofi Annan On Wednesday, May 8, a large number of teachers across Oregon will be walking out of classrooms in an organized action calling for the state to fully fund education. Here in […]
100 Days: Executive Director Madison Cario reflecting back and looking ahead
Posted May 1, 2019
Reflecting Back and Looking Ahead Hello. April 25 marked my first 100 days. Phew! As promised when stepping into this role, I’m pausing after this 100 day mark to share some of what I’ve learned and answer ‘What’s Next?’ I’ve so enjoyed that most days were spent outside of my RACC office as I […]
Fresh Paint brings new mural to Northeast Portland
Posted March 29, 2019
Artists Maria Rodriguez, Bizar Gomez and Anke Gladnick have finished painting a new mural on the exterior wall of Open Signal: Portland Community Media Center on NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard at Graham Street in Portland. “Let’s talk” is the fifth temporary mural created in the last two years as part of the Fresh […]