RACC Blog

Now’s the time

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ELOISE BLOG:

The time has come for me to bid goodbye to my wonderful RACC family and close an exciting 30 year chapter here. It has been quite a journey from our early days in the Portland Building with a staff of 6 or so to the complex, non-profit we have become with great digs on the North Park Blocks, a brilliant and talented staff managing new and thriving programs, a hard-working and inspiring Board, and an ever increasingly diverse and rapidly growing arts community.

Over the years I  have maintained fantastic friendships and professional relationships with people across so many elements of our community and I treasure them all. Thank you for what you have brought to me and to our work at RACC. We have made progress on many fronts by working together.

People ask me every day, “What’s next?” I have a list that includes not living by a schedule, yoga, walking, bike riding, travel with my husband, lots more time with my delightful year plus granddaughter and her adoring parents (in Eugene), relearning piano if that’s possible at my age, hanging out with friends, maybe some classes, and of course projects that pop up that I cannot resist. I am not moving away.

And I have no intention of turning my back on the arts community I love. That’s inconceivable to me. So it isn’t really “goodbye,” but more like “see you around town.” And to prove that I mean that, my new email is Eloise.damrosch@gmail.com. 503.307.3600.

At the Portland Building Installation Space: Elijah Hasan’s “12 Degrees Black”

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RACC is pleased to present an installation by artist and award winning film maker Elijah Hasan at the Portland Building. Using Portland as his stage and backdrop Hasan’s work skillfully and poetically explores themes of race, place, and social consciousness. 12 Degrees Black, which runs from July 10 to August 4th, combines a set of the artist’s stunning films with a suite of related still images.

Hasan’s films, all written and directed by the artist, are united by his ability to reframe and freshen critical conversations about social justice, history, and social consciousness. The delicate, non-verbal sound tracks (written and performed by Hasan) that accompany the visuals complement content that is at turns comedic, dramatic, powerful and poignant. www.elijahhasan.com

The Portland Building is located at 1120 SW 5th Avenue and is open 8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. The Installation Space can be found on the first floor directly adjacent to the building lobby. For more information on the Installation Space series go to www.racc.org/installationspace.

First “Fresh Paint” mural finished

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Fresh Paint is a pilot project of the Regional Arts and Culture Council’s Public Art Murals program in partnership with Open Signal: Portland Community Media.

From May 2017 – May 2018, three emerging artists will have the opportunity to paint a temporary mural that will be up for a period of four months on Open Signal’s west-wall facing the highly visible MLK Boulevard.

The first local artist to be featured is Molly Mendoza, an illustrator and graduate of the Pacific Northwest College of Art. As stated in her bio, Molly is “captivated by the relationships that she has built with friends, family, and foes alike over the course of her life. She sets out to emulate those relationships through her chaotic yet rhythmic style to make some dang-good drawings.”

To view a time lapse video of the mural’s installation, click here. The mural will be on display through September 2017.

 

Molly Mendoza painting mural. Photo courtesy of Open Signal.

 

Art Spark on July 21

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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 with Portland Emerging Arts Leaders (PEAL) and network with Portland creatives.

As always, our Art Spark DJ, VNPRT will be providing the the music. “Like” Art Spark by RACC on Facebook to get new information on the event as it is announced.

Event is all ages and free.  We Look forward to seeing you there!

See details at http://bit.ly/2s3h1vZ

Search Committee continues progress, expects Executive Director job to post in mid-July

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POSTED ON June 23, 2017:

RACC’s Search Committee spent the past month building internal alignment around the job description and recruiting process, so that we know what type of leader we want for RACC, and so that we can provide our recruiting firm with clear guidance.

We expect to have a job description published by mid-July. The Search Committee will publish details of the applicant review process, including further opportunities for public input by the time the job is published. Here is a highlight of recent activities:

  • On June 19, the committee held an offsite around equity/inclusion/diversity topics. The offsite was facilitated by Judith Mowry of the City of Portland Office of Equity and Human Rights (OEHR).
  • On June 15, Jenny M. Chu was added to the committee.
  • On June 3, committee members and RACC staff met with representatives of Art Workers for Equity (AWE) to listen to their concerns and suggestions.
  • On May 31, the committee received a letter from the leaders of 24 arts organizations asking for increased opportunities for input throughout the process.
  • On May 24, the RACC Board approved an updated charter for the Search Committee, establishing Steve Rosenbaum as chair and formally tasking the committee to bring back one or more candidates to the board for approval while keeping the Board and community updated along the way.

The updated committee roster is now as follows:

Members of the public are encouraged to email the committee (EDsearch@racc.org) with any thoughts, suggestions or feedback. 

 

 

Local nonprofit arts and culture organizations generate $330 million in annual economic activity

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A new study reveals that the nonprofit arts industry in the Portland tri-county region also supports 11,505 full-time jobs and returns more than $27 million in revenue to state and local coffers

PORTLAND, ORE – The nonprofit arts and culture sector in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties generated more than $330 million in annual economic activity in fiscal year 2015 according to Arts & Economic Prosperity 5, a comprehensive economic impact study released by Americans for the Arts, the Oregon Arts Commission and the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) with additional support from the Clackamas County Arts Alliance and the Westside Cultural Alliance.

“We all know that culture and the arts are essential to our neighborhoods, our schools and our way of life,” said Eloise Damrosch, executive director of RACC. “The arts are also a powerful generator of economic activity, and now we have impressive data to prove it. Nonprofit arts and culture organizations attract tourists, buoy local businesses and support jobs throughout the Portland metro region.”

The study reveals that 183 local nonprofit arts and culture organizations spent $214.4 million during fiscal year 2015. This spending is far-reaching: organizations pay employees, purchase supplies, contract for services and acquire assets within the community.

In addition, these nonprofit arts and culture organizations leveraged $116 million in event-related spending by their audiences. As a result of attending a cultural event, attendees often eat dinner in local restaurants, pay for parking, buy gifts and souvenirs, and pay a babysitter. Attendees from out of town spend even more, including overnight stays in local hotels.

The combined spending by both arts organizations and their audiences results in a total economic impact of $330.4 million – a 30% increase since the last study was published in 2012. A summary of the report is attached, and the report is available online at www.racc.org/economicimpact.

Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish was impressed with the results. “Portland is proud to be a creative city, one that honors and celebrates art and culture,” he said. “It’s in our DNA, and part of what makes Portland special. The economic impact of the arts, quantified in this report, helps to drive our local economy, creating good jobs and supporting a vibrant and growing city.”

Statewide, Oregon’s nonprofit arts and culture sector contributed $687 million and 22,299 jobs to Oregon’s economy in 2015. Nationally, the nonprofit arts industry produced $166.3 billion in economic activity, supporting 4.6 million full-time equivalent jobs and generating $27.5 billion in revenue to local, state and federal governments – a yield well beyond their $5 billion in collective government allocations for the arts.

“This study demonstrates that the arts are an economic and employment powerhouse both locally and across the nation,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “A vibrant arts and culture industry helps local businesses thrive and helps local communities become stronger and healthier places to live. Leaders who care about community and economic vitality can feel good about choosing to invest in the arts. Nationally as well as locally, the arts mean business.”

The Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 study was conducted by Americans for the Arts and supported by The Ruth Lilly Fund of Americans for the Arts. Americans for the Arts’ local, regional, and statewide project partners contributed both time and financial support to the study. Financial information from organizations was collected in partnership with DataArts™, using a new online survey interface. For a full list of the communities who participated in Arts & Economic Prosperity 5, visit www.AmericansForTheArts.org/AEP5Partners.


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The Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) provides grants for artists, nonprofit organizations and schools in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties; manages an internationally acclaimed public art program; raises money and awareness for the arts through Work for Art; 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. For more information visit racc.org.

 

Local nonprofit arts and culture organizations generate $330 million in annual economic activity

Written by

A new study reveals that the nonprofit arts and culture industry in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties is an economic driver, resulting in $330 million of annual activity, supporting 11,505 full-time jobs and returning more than $27 million in revenue to state and local coffers. The study, Arts & Economic Prosperity 5, was released by Americans for the Arts, the Oregon Arts Commission and the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC).

The study reveals that 183 nonprofit arts and culture organizations spent $214.4 million during fiscal year 2015. This spending is far-reaching: organizations pay employees, purchase supplies, contract for services and acquire assets within the community.

In addition, nonprofit arts and culture organizations leveraged $116 million in event-related spending by their audiences. As a result of attending a cultural event, attendees often eat dinner in local restaurants, pay for parking, buy gifts and souvenirs, and pay a babysitter. Attendees from out of town spend even more, including overnight stays in local hotels.

The combined spending by both arts organizations and their audiences results in a total economic impact of $330.4 million – a 30% increase since the last study was published in 2012.

Download key findings

Download full report

National Endowment for the Arts awards $30,000 for The Right Brain Initiative

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PORTLAND, ORE — National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu has approved more than $82 million to fund local arts projects across the country in the NEA’s second major funding announcement for fiscal year 2017. Included in this announcement is an Art Works award of $30,000 to The Right Brain Initiative, the arts integration program of the Regional Arts & Culture Council.

“The arts reflect the vision, energy, and talent of America’s artists and arts organizations,” said NEA Chairman Jane Chu. “The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support organizations such as The Right Brain Initiative, in serving their communities by providing excellent and accessible arts experiences.”

“We are grateful for the continued support from the NEA. This funding helps us build teachers’ capacity to engage all learners through the arts and develop students’ creative and critical thinking skills,” expressed Marna Stalcup, RACC’s Director of Arts Education.

This award will support Right Brain’s innovative, systemic, and equitable approach to arts integrated education in Portland area elementary and middle schools. Its professional development model will equip an estimated 1,475 teachers, arts specialists, principals and teaching artists in the 2017-18 school year with strategies to promote students’ 21st Century Skills, and create environments where they thrive academically, socially and artistically. Through the collaboration of trained teaching artists and classroom teachers, the program will serve nearly 30,000 students in 70 schools across the region.

To join the Twitter conversation about this announcement, please use #NEASpring17. For more information on projects included in the NEA grant announcement, go to arts.gov

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The Right Brain Initiative is a sustainable partnership of public schools, local government, foundations, businesses and the cultural community working to transform learning through the arts for all K-8 students in the Portland metro area. Now in its ninth year, Right Brain serves 68 schools and approximately 27,500 students from urban, suburban and rural communities in the Portland area. In fall of 2014, Right Brain released data connecting the program to an above-average increase in student test scores, with greatest results for English Language Learners. Right Brain is a program of the Regional Arts & Culture Council. Operating partners include Young Audiences of Oregon & SW Washington (Residency Partner), Portland State University Center for Student Success (Research & Evaluation Partner), and Deborah Brzoksa of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Professional Development Consultant). Read more online at TheRightBrainInitiative.org.

The Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) provides grants for artists, nonprofit organizations and schools in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties; manages an internationally acclaimed public art program; raises money and awareness for the arts through Work for Art; 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. For more information visit racc.org.