Three arts organizations were selected to become Partner Organizations in RACC’s General Operating Support program. These awards were approved by the RACC Board of Directors on December 12, 2018.
What an exciting month it’s been since we announced Madison Cario as the Regional Arts & Culture Council’s incoming Executive Director come January 2019! Madison is joining us from Atlanta, Georgia, where they served as the inaugural Director of the Office of the Arts at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
While Madison will be making their way to meet with the arts and culture community once they begin their post in January, we asked them a few questions about their experience, what they’re looking forward to, and more. Read on and get to know a little more about our incoming Executive Director:
As you transition from your role as Director of the Office of the Arts at the Georgia Institute of Technology (GT), what are some takeaways you feel will guide you in your new leadership role at RACC?
I’ve always been a good listener and synthesizer of ideas, but at GT, with so many truly different ways of speaking – about the creative process, and about collaboration, I had to learn to listen differently. I had to learn, in some cases, to dream differently. I am excited to apply these fairly recently acquired skills to a new environment. I’m excited to see what challenges await and what learning will take shape.
I learned what matters most is not that I myself can articulate the vision (that is important), but when everyone within an organization can articulate the purpose and plan for the organization (once it is established), then we are cooking with gas!!!
Also, every voice matters, every language and nuance is important. At GT I learned how to start by asking people what they loved and from there we found a common bond to work together.
What you most looking forward to at RACC? How do you envision spending your first 6 months?
Listening, provoking, and listening to what the provocations generate.
What do you feel are the most pressing challenges the art and culture sector needs to address today related to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Do you feel there are questions we need to be asking that we haven’t asked already, and actions we need to take that have yet to be taken?
I believe we need to communicate and honor complexity and transparency in this conversation. We need to understand how to contextualize issues of equity and inclusion. We need to look beyond numbers and representation when using the term ‘diversity’. We need to stop telling singular stories and feel that we are providing platforms for ‘minority voices.’
I believe what is missing is the interconnectedness and relationality of differing perspectives and lived-experiences. To uncover and acknowledge implicit bias is important – but needs work in the arts, and in every system, is the step after recognition. What is needed is the collective action: the development of new systems, testing of those new systems, feedback loops, next-round testing, implementation, assessment, redesign, and deep and care-filled processes that are co-created through the lenses of equity, diversity and inclusion. These are not static or two-dimensional concepts – they are constellations within constellations.
And I like to ponder the question, once we have all the boxes checked, then what?
What’s exciting, strange, or familiar as you make your move to Portland? Is there anything particular that you’re looking forward to doing as you become a resident of the Pacific Northwest?
What is exciting? A new city, terrain, community, and the ocean (well, at least closer than Georgia). Also, sporting a new silhouette for me, and a long rain duster instead of a sunbrella!
Re Strange – Define strange.
What is familiar? Years ago I fell in love with the west coast when I lived in San Francisco for 7 years and I am thrilled to be back – it feels like a home coming of sorts. I love being outdoors, walking everywhere and of course learning more about the Pacific Coast and all the fantastic art, food and people that call Portland home.
Folks are really intrigued with your experience bringing the arts and technology sectors together. Can you talk more about that? What has been the most fun or interesting thing about working at these intersections?
When it works, it’s magic. We bridged worlds perceived to be radically different together. The interesting thing about working at these intersections is I’ve developed a constellation mapping way of connecting things that seemingly perhaps do not go together but have, at their essence, a common purpose or interest.
I also witnessed how quickly ideas can take shape when you work at the center of various creative processes simultaneously.
What was your perception of arts and culture growing up and how has it evolved?
It wasn’t for people ‘like me’. I got that message over and over again. My perception evolved greatly when I started making performances and identifying as an artist. As an arts leader I am both a champion and critic of arts and culture. I care about arts and culture deeply, enough to critique and push for evolution of the field as well. My perception about the value and identity of insider/outsider has especially evolved.
If you could time travel, what message would you leave your younger self?
This life can be everything you want and nothing you could have imagined… simply place one foot in front of the other, you will find the way.
You can sing!
What’s a question you wished someone would ask you?
How can I help you?
Why is it essential to continue your work nationally in terms of keynote speaking, leading workshops, etc?
Madison’s first day at RACC is January 14, 2019. More information about opportunities and events to meet and speak with them will come as we get closer to their arrival in Portland!
Arts leader and innovator Madison Cario will join the staff in January
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, ORE. – Following extensive community-wide feedback and a comprehensive national search, the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) announces today that Madison Cario will become its new Executive Director in January, 2019. Cario brings more than 20 years of experience working as an artist, presenter, producer and arts leader. Cario is currently the inaugural Director of the Office of the Arts at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where they are renowned for their strategic and entrepreneurial approach to innovation, collaboration, and creation in arts and culture.
“Madison Cario is the right leader for RACC at a time when Portland and the region are ripe for incisive action and an inspiring vision for the arts,” said RACC board chair Linda McGeady in making the announcement today. “They bring excitement and energy to the position along with a longstanding commitment to equity and access that aligns perfectly with RACC’s aspirations. We are thrilled to begin this new leg of our voyage with Madison at the helm.”
Cario is a connector, curator, artist, writer, Marine Corps veteran, and more. Growing up, the arts and creativity were not a part of their life until their mid-20s, when they were invited to attend a contemporary dance performance at the Mandell Theater in Philadelphia. Cario says the experience sparked a radical change in their life and professional trajectory.
Cario has led historic changes on the campus of Georgia Tech and in the community of Atlanta. At RACC, they will lead the organization in its efforts to make creative culture and the arts accessible to all 1.8 million residents of the Portland tri-county region.
“I am thrilled to join the incredibly talented team at RACC, especially during a time of great change,” said Cario. “I believe that everyone deserves an invitation to experience the transformational power and amazing energy of art and creative culture. The arts are essential and have the power to enrich the overall quality of life for every resident; this is not only my personal belief, but also core to RACC’s mission and vision. Together, with the community, we will build pathways, bridges, networks—whatever it takes—to strengthen, grow, and sustain a brilliantly diverse and equitable arts and culture community.”
At Georgia Tech, Cario has developed unique programs and experiences exploring the intersection of science, technology, engineering, and the arts. Driven by an intentional approach to equity—inviting in and making room for a diverse range of artists, creatives, and makers—Cario has worked to activate the midtown Atlanta campus with public art, engage the campus and community with deep and broad arts experiences, and produce collaborative work created by artists and Georgia Tech faculty, staff and students. Cario received the 2017 Creative Loafing People to Watch Award, Georgia Tech 2016 Staff Entrepreneurship Award, Faces of Inclusive Excellence Awards in 2017 and 2018, and the Georgia Tech 2015 Diversity Champion Award.
“Equity, diversity, inclusion and access are incredibly important, as well as our commitment to invitation, celebration, brilliance, and beauty,” said Cario. “These are ongoing processes, there will never be an end. No two people are the same: their needs, wants, identities, and communities contain beautiful intricacies. We must create dialogue with artists and creatives to support the people along with the project, and agree to hold space for the complexity of community.”
Prior to Georgia Tech, Cario held senior-level positions in the nonprofit sector including the East Bay Conservation Corps in Oakland, Painted Bride Arts Center in Philadelphia, and the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. They have been an advisor to the National Dance Project, the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), the MAP Fund and numerous other national and local funding organizations, and served on advisory boards for Public Broadcasting Atlanta, Alliance Theater, and T. Lang Dance, among others.
“Congratulations to RACC for completing a successful national search,” said Portland City Commissioner Chloe Eudaly. “I’m excited for Madison Cario to join RACC as their new Executive Director, bringing years of experience of building bridges across the public, private, and philanthropic sectors. As Portland’s Arts Commissioner, I look forward to working closely with Madison to preserve affordable arts spaces, advance equity in grant making, strengthen public funding and expand access to the arts – particularly for artists and audiences with disabilities.”
More than 200 people participated in RACC’s search process by completing an online survey or participating in interviews to inform the job description following the retirement of Eloise Damrosch in June 2017. Koya Leadership Partners recruited strong candidates both locally and nationally, and 25 community members met a total of seven candidates in April and September this year. The search committee was co-chaired by board members Linda McGeady and Angela Hult, and the RACC board approved the committee’s final recommendation in October. More information on RACC’s search process is available online at racc.org/executive-director-search-update/.
Cario’s first day at RACC will be January 14. Jeff Hawthorne, RACC’s Director of Community Engagement, will continue to serve as Executive Director in the interim.
“I look forward to working with Madison and my colleagues on City Council to increase funding for RACC and to explore innovative new ways for supporting our local arts community,” said Commissioner Nick Fish.
Cario holds an MS in Environmental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Rhetoric and Communication from Temple University.
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The Regional Arts & Culture Council is a local arts agency serving 1.8 million residents in the Portland, Oregon metro region including Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. RACC provides grants and technical assistance for artists and nonprofit organizations, with more than 5,000 grants totaling $44 million in the past two decades. RACC also manages a widely-celebrated public art collection of more than 2,200 artworks for the City of Portland and Multnomah County; conducts employee giving campaigns that have raised more than $8.5 million for local arts organizations since 2007; organizes networking events, forums and workshops; and integrates the arts into the broader curriculum for K-8 students through The Right Brain Initiative, serving more than 27,000 students a year. Online at www.racc.org.
MEDIA CONTACT: Jeff Hawthorne, Interim Executive Director: jhawthorne@racc.org | 503.823.5258
Local artists channel Día de Muertos in next installment of Fresh Paint, a temporary murals program
October 17, 2018 — PORTLAND, OR – Passersby can now see the newest work-in-progress from Fresh Paint, a temporary murals program, on the exterior wall of Open Signal: Portland Community Media Center on NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard at Graham Street.
Created by artists Andrea de la Vega and Damien Dawahare, the mural depicts the Mexican tradition of building the ofrenda, or ‘offering,’ during Día de Muertos—a practice intended to welcome the deceased to the altar.
“Through our own greater cultural explorations, we discovered a ritual of connection that is all about telling stories and remembering and honoring the past,” the artists wrote in their mural proposal. “The imagery is lighthearted and shares a story of coming and going. The color palette is warm and vibrant, depicting a life after death through friendly and familiar tones.”
The mural will be completed on October 22, 2018, staying on display until March 31, 2019.
Fresh Paint is a partnership between Open Signal and the Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC). Now in its second year, Fresh Paint is a professional development program that provides emerging artists of color the opportunity to paint a mural in a high-traffic setting for the first time. The goal is for each artist to learn new ways of creating art in a public space, as well as to build their portfolio.
Fresh Paint will feature two additional murals in 2019. Future muralists include Maria Rodriguez, Bizar Gomez & Anke Gladnick (April 2019 – October 2019), Munta (Eric) Mpwo and Limei Lai (October 2019 – October 2020).
About the Artists
ANDREA DE LA VEGA was born in Querétaro, Mexico and grew up in Las Vegas, NV. Her mother encouraged her creativity at an early age and she pursued a degree in Interior Design at UNLV. Her work in interior design is rooted in storytelling and she believes design can have a positive impact on the human daily experience. With her artwork, she is drawn to nature and the female form. She paints in acrylic and watercolor.
DAMIEN DAWAHARE is an artist and designer from Las Vegas, Nevada. He is currently working and studying at Pacific Northwest College of Art. Damien’s work ranges from traditional printmaking techniques to 3D modeling and interactive design. He utilizes line and color in order to interpret light and space.
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About Open Signal
Open Signal is a media arts center making media production possible for anyone and everyone in Portland, Oregon. Launched in 2017, the center builds upon the 35-year legacy of Portland Community Media to create a resource totally unique in the Pacific Northwest. Open Signal offers media workshops, a public equipment library, artist residencies and five cable channels programmed with locally produced content. Open Signal delivers media programming with a commitment to creativity, technology and social change. Learn more at opensignalpdx.org.
About the Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC)
The Regional Arts and Culture Council provides grants for artists, arts organizations, and artistic projects in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties; manages an internationally acclaimed public art program; raises money and awareness for the arts; convenes forums, networking events and other community gatherings; provides workshops and other forms of technical assistance for artists; and oversees a program to integrate arts and culture into the standard curriculum in public schools through The Right Brain Initiative. RACC values a diversity of artistic and cultural experiences and is working to build a community in which everyone can participate in culture, creativity, and the arts. Learn more at racc.org.
Media Contact
Yousef Hatlani, Marketing Manager, Open Signal | yousef [at] opensignalpdx.org | (503) 536-7622
Lokyee Au, Communications Manager, Regional Arts & Culture Council | lau [at] racc.org | (503) 823-5426
RACC’s Project Grant Program provides financial support to individual artists and not-for-profit organizations in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas Counties, for project based arts programming. Grants are awarded up to $7,000 and are available in three categories: Artistic Focus, Arts Equity & Access, and Arts Services. The following 52 Project Grants were approved on September 17, 2018 and total $295,030.
For more detailed descriptions of each project, please see this PDF listing.
2018-19 Project Grant awards (Cycle 1):
| Applicant | Project Type | Discipline | Award |
| Algoso, Luann | Artistic Focus | Media Arts | $6,640 |
| Barrera, Claire | Artistic Focus | Dance/Movement | $6,510 |
| Clark, Merideth | Artistic Focus | Theatre | $5,780 |
| Clarren, Rebecca | Artistic Focus | Literature | $5,410 |
| Collins, Max | Arts Equity & Access | Multi-Discipline | $4,300 |
| Dahl, Dicky | Artistic Focus | Media Arts | $5,880 |
| de Bastion, Myles | Artistic Focus | Multi-Discipline | $5,950 |
| Desautels, Jeffrey | Artistic Focus | Theatre | $2,080 |
| Doran, Sean | Artistic Focus | Theatre | $5,610 |
| Egan, Catherine | Artistic Focus | Dance/Movement | $2,490 |
| Ewell, Derek | Artistic Focus | Media Arts | $6,640 |
| Gooden, Justus Tyrone | Arts Equity & Access | Multi-Discipline | $6,650 |
| Hamilton, Jo | Artistic Focus | Visual Arts | $6,520 |
| Hankins, Allie | Artistic Focus | Multi-Discipline | $5,470 |
| Hearn, Dot | Arts Services | Theatre | $7,000 |
| Hough, Kurtis | Artistic Focus | Media Arts | $5,870 |
| Jones Redstone, Dawn | Artistic Focus | Media Arts | $6,990 |
| Koff, David | Arts Equity & Access | Multi-Discipline | $2,780 |
| Kolosowsky, Natalya | Artistic Focus | Multi-Discipline | $6,780 |
| Kuttab, Amy | Artistic Focus | Visual Arts | $5,410 |
| Maylisa Cat, May | Artistic Focus | Media Arts | $3,750 |
| Miles, Rhen | Artistic Focus | Dance/Movement | $5,360 |
| Moulton, Suzanne | Artistic Focus | Media Arts | $6,300 |
| Nakano, Ryan | Artistic Focus | Literature | $6,300 |
| Ng, Xi Jie | Arts Equity & Access | Social Practice | $4,420 |
| Ngo, Aja | Arts Equity & Access | Multi-Discipline | $5,370 |
| Shambry, Vin | Artistic Focus | Theatre | $5,850 |
| Tran, Minh | Artistic Focus | Dance/Movement | $7,000 |
| Vazquez Gomez, Patricia | Artistic Focus | Visual Arts | $6,500 |
| Vigeant, Leslie | Artistic Focus | Visual Arts | $2,210 |
| Vo, Anna | Artistic Focus | Literature | $6,650 |
| Yamamoto, Takahiro | Artistic Focus | Visual Arts | $5,850 |
| 45th Parallel | Artistic Focus | Music | $5,000 |
| Bienestar | Artistic Focus | Multi-Discipline | $5,950 |
| Corrib Theatre | Artistic Focus | Theatre | $7,000 |
| Couch Film Collective | Arts Equity & Access | Media Arts | $3,390 |
| Edwards Center, Inc. | Arts Equity & Access | Visual Arts | $5,950 |
| Experience Theatre Project | Artistic Focus | Theatre | $3,400 |
| Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre/Northwest | Artistic Focus | Multi-Discipline | $5,910 |
| JANE a theater company | Artistic Focus | Theatre | $5,950 |
| Live On Stage | Artistic Focus | Theatre | $6,950 |
| New Expressive Works | Artistic Focus | Dance/Movement | $6,300 |
| Opera Theater of Oregon | Artistic Focus | Music | $5,950 |
| Outside the Frame | Arts Equity & Access | Media Arts | $7,000 |
| PCC Sylvania | Artistic Focus | Social Practice | $6,900 |
| Performance Works NorthWest | Artistic Focus | Dance/Movement | $5,840 |
| PETE (Portland Experimental Theatre Ensemble) | Artistic Focus | Theatre | $5,950 |
| Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, Inc. (PCRI) | Arts Equity & Access | Multi-Discipline | $5,950 |
| Public Annex | Arts Equity & Access | Visual Arts | $6,500 |
| Resonance Ensemble | Artistic Focus | Music | $6,350 |
| Street Roots | Arts Equity & Access | Multi-Discipline | $6,650 |
| World Stage Theatre | Arts Equity & Access | Multi-Discipline | $5,820 |
On July 1, Linda McGeady became RACC’s new board chair, succeeding Mike Golub who will serve as Chair Emeritus until June 30, 2019. McGeady is originally from Belfast, Ireland, and became a US Citizen 18 years ago; being involved in Portland’s arts community has been an important part of her life here. She serves on the Art Committee of the Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel, and is active in The International School alumni community. She also serves on the board of The Circus Project.
“I am honored to be RACC’s new board chair. I consider RACC to be – among many other things – an engine of civic engagement and an outstanding resource for the community. I look forward to working even more closely with the talented staff, including – soon – a new Executive Director, and with all of our dedicated board members who give their time and expertise to ensure that the arts not only thrive but help every sector in the region be more creative and more successful.”
Joining McGeady and Golub on the Executive Committee in FY2018-19 are Vice Chair Osvaldo “Ozzie” Gonzalez, Treasurer Eileen L. Day, Secretary Angela Hult, Eve Connell, Katherine Durham, Parker Lee and Frances Portillo.
The RACC board also elected Amy Kutzkey to the board. Kutzkey is a certified public accountant and shareholder at Perkins & Co.
All board and staff profiles are available online at racc.org/about/staff-board.
Linda McGeady Photo credit: Dodge and Burn Studios
RACC is distributing $3,389,000 in a special disbursement of recently accrued Arts Education and Access Funds (AEAF), also known as arts tax funds. These funds will be disbursed in line with RACC’s contract with the City of Portland and will be allocated as follows:
Keep reading to get more information on why this is happening, get your questions answered, and see the full list of allocations.
RACC receives its primary allocation of AEAF funds from the City of Portland in January of each year. This primary allocation is followed by a series of unpredictable allocations throughout the spring that primarily contain revenue from past tax years. This spring, as a result of the City’s ramped up collection efforts, RACC received an unusually large and unexpected allocation of back taxes totaling $3.3 million. The RACC Board of Directors has adopted a new policy allowing RACC to hold some AEAF revenue in reserve, up to one year of anticipated expenses, as mitigation for future AEAF volatility. All additional funds will be distributed annually, through a one-time special allocation if needed. As a result RACC will be distributing an extra $3,289,000 through several different grant programs throughout FY19, as well as $100,000 for Arts Education coordination work at RACC.
Most General Operating Support partners will receive a payment for their AEAF Special Allocation in August. Organizations with outstanding reporting obligations will receive their payments when those obligations are met.
How has RACC accumulated so much Arts Tax revenue?
Because of past volatility with the Arts Tax, RACC has been conservative in how it budgeted Arts Tax allocations over the last two years. Meanwhile, the city has been aggressive in collecting overdue taxes over the past year. The combination of these two factors resulted in RACC receiving $3.3 million more than anticipated in Arts Tax revenue from the City of Portland this spring.
Why is RACC holding Arts Tax money in reserve?
RACC holds some AEAF funds in reserve for a several reasons. In order to ensure that RACC could meet the pledges we have made to GOS partners in 2016, it was important that we saved any excess funding from some years as mitigation for revenue shortfalls in other years. Fortunately, collections have exceeded expectations in each of the last two years.
RACC will continue to hold one year’s worth of AEAF funding in reserve in case there are significant changes to AEAF funding in the coming year. For example, City Council is considering increasing the AEAF’s poverty exemption level, which would reduce RACC annual revenues by $1 million or more. In addition, now that the city has collected most back-due taxes, it is unlikely that RACC will receive as much, if any, unanticipated revenue next year.
RACC is committed to providing stable and predictable funding for the community and our GOS partners. Maintaining a healthy reserve allows us and our grantees to weather changes in the funding we receive without immediately reducing funding levels for our partners.
Does RACC anticipate special allocations like this in the future?
No. We do not anticipate that special allocations will be a regular occurrence, and partner organizations should not plan to receive additional funds in the future. However, if collections do continue to exceed expectations, RACC has policies to ensure those funds are distributed promptly to the community.
How were the award amounts for GOS partners determined?
Partner organizations were grouped into seven tiers base on their FY2017 eligible income, which is a calculation of revenue from ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible programming provided in RACC’s service area. All of the organizations within each tier will receive the same award amount. The award amounts range from $14,000 to $200,000.
Do GOS partners need to do anything to receive these funds?
If your organization has completed all outstanding reporting requirements you will automatically receive a payment in August. A handful of organizations who have not yet completed FY2017 reporting requirements, or submitted reports late, will receive their payments once their report is approved. Not sure if you have outstanding reporting requirements? Contact your Grants Officer and we can let you know!
How will RACC use the funds for Arts Education coordination?
AEAF legislation allows RACC to retain 3% of Arts Tax revenues for staffing and materials that advance RACC’s ability to support art and music teachers that are funded by the Arts Tax, and coordinate arts education activities in public schools. These funds will support more professional development for certified arts specialists, and the mapping of arts and culture resources that are available to all Portland students.
What do the funds allocated to the Capacity Building program support?
RACC’s Capacity Building program provides multi-year financial support and technical assistance to arts organizations led by under-served communities. Currently four organizations are receiving support — Kukatonon, Instituto de Cultura y Arte In Xochitl In Cuicatl, PassinArt, and Portland Taiko. The additional arts tax funds will allow us to support five additional organizations over the next several years.
What is the Equity Investments program? How can my organization apply?
The Equity Investments program provides additional funding to General Operating Support partner organizations for initiatives which advance their commitment to equity in the arts, with a focus on racial equity. The program provides one-time and multi-year grants ranging from $5,000 to $75,000. Including the funds from the special allocation, a total of $425,000 will be awarded in spring 2019. General Operating Support partners will receive notification when applications become available this fall.
Jeff Hawthorne, Interim Executive Director| jhawthorne@racc.org | 503.832.5258
| Artist Repertory Theatre | 64,500 |
| August Wilson Red Door Project | 18,500 |
| Blue Sky Gallery | 14,000 |
| Bodyvox | 64,500 |
| Cappella Romana, Inc. | 18,500 |
| The Circus Project | 42,000 |
| Chamber Music Northwest | 64,500 |
| Children’s Healing Art Project | 18,500 |
| CoHo Productions | 18,500 |
| Disjecta Contemporary Art Center | 18,500 |
| Echo Theater Company | 33,000 |
| Ethos Music Center | 42,000 |
| Friends of Chamber Music | 33,000 |
| Hand 2 Mouth | 14,000 |
| Hollywood Theatre | 64,500 |
| Imago Theatre | 18,500 |
| Independent Publishing Resource Center | 14,000 |
| Literary Arts, Inc. | 64,500 |
| Live Wire! Radio | 33,000 |
| Metropolitan Youth Symphony | 33,000 |
| Miracle Theatre Group | 42,000 |
| My Voice Music | 18,500 |
| Northwest Children’s Theatre | 64,500 |
| Northwest Dance Project | 64,500 |
| NW Documentary Arts & Media | 14,000 |
| Oregon Ballet Theatre | 126,000 |
| Oregon BRAVO Youth Orchestra | 33,000 |
| Oregon Children’s Theatre | 64,500 |
| Oregon Symphony Association | 200,000 |
| PDX Jazz | 42,000 |
| Pendulum Aerial Arts | 14,000 |
| PHAME Academy | 42,000 |
| Playwrite, Inc. | 14,000 |
| Polaris Dance Theatre | 18,500 |
| Portland Art Museum/Northwest Film Center | 200,000 |
| The Portland Ballet | 42,000 |
| Portland Baroque Orchestra | 42,000 |
| Portland Center Stage | 126,000 |
| Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra | 18,500 |
| Portland Gay Men’s Chorus | 33,000 |
| Portland Institute for Contemporary Art | 64,500 |
| Portland Opera | 126,000 |
| Portland Piano International | 33,000 |
| Portland Playhouse | 42,000 |
| Portland Youth Philharmonic | 42,000 |
| Profile Theatre Project | 33,000 |
| Third Angle New Music Ensemble | 14,000 |
| Third Rail Repertory Theatre | 33,000 |
| Triangle Theatre | 18,500 |
| White Bird | 64,500 |
| Write Around Portland | 18,500 |
| Young Audiences of Oregon | 64,500 |
A total of $2,482,600 in General Operating Support was distributed to 55 organizations in fiscal year 2017-18. Additional information about this program is available on the General Operating Support page. The arts organizations which were awarded General Operating Support in 2017-18 are
