Local Issues

RACC’s local advocacy efforts help inform budgets and policies in the City of Portland, Metro, and Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties. RACC is funded by all five of these jurisdictions and there are a variety of ways that our constituents can encourage public support for art and culture in the tri-county Portland region.

Oregon Artists and Arts Organizations report $56M lost revenue

Posted April 13, 2020

Survey results forecast 3-month financial impact of COVID-19 on arts & culture community Portland, Ore – Across the world, life has changed dramatically as the impact of the coronavirus pandemic continues to unfold. The picture of that impact on the arts community came into sharp focus this week as the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) tallied […]

Candidates share their views on arts and culture issues

Posted March 29, 2018

RACC is working to ensure that elected officials can articulate the value of arts and culture in society, and asks candidates to prioritize funding decisions to ensure that everyone in our community has access to the arts and arts education. For the spring 2018 primary election, RACC distributed a questionnaire to all candidates running for Portland […]

Art Spark is on February 26

Posted January 30, 2018

The first Art Spark of 2018 is here!!! Join us for another evening of education and celebration as we share space with Orí Gallery, UNA Gallery, and Portland Open Studios (celebrating their 20 year anniversary!!). This February, Art Spark is trying something NEW and will raise funds for these amazing organizations and the important work […]

Portland’s arts tax is a good deal

Posted October 11, 2017

by Jeff Hawthorne, the interim executive director of the Regional Arts & Culture Council. Published in The Oregonian on October 8, 2017.  The arts tax is supported by Portland taxpayers because it benefits Portland’s public school students, yields economic dividends and makes our community better. The Oregonian/OregonLive’s recent editorial, “Portland’s arts tax should go back […]

Art Spark is on October 19

Posted September 28, 2017

October’s installment will take place at Toffee Club, 1006 SE Hawthorne Blvd, on October 19th from 6-8 PM. For this event we will pair with RACC’s Arts Education Department, including The Right Brain Initiative, to focus on resources for artists engaged in youth mentorship and passing on knowledge for the future success of our community. […]

Art Spark on July 21

Posted June 26, 2017

Art Spark is back the evening of of July 21st, 6-9 p.m. Join us for another evening of education and celebration. This time we will be located at Disjecta Contemporary Arts Center (8371 N Interstate Ave​) for an indoor/outdoor event. Enjoy the summer vibes and learn about community partners DUG (Deep Underground), Just Seeds, and more! Connect […]