RACC Blog

Community gathering of Oregon’s first bipartisan Arts & Culture Caucus 

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*Antonio Huerata, master Charro rope artists from Springfield, Oregon.

In the midst of freezing rain, unpredictable snow fronts, and the clear but frigid air, Oregonians from across the State gathered at the historic Elsinore Theatre in Salem last evening on February 27th in celebration and launch of the first ever Oregon Legislative Arts and Culture Caucus. 

Legislators echoing many voices across the state, from organizations to creatives and artists, recognize the vital role arts and culture play in the livability and prosperity of Oregon communities – and the importance of advocacy for support and funding for them.

Coordinated by Representative Rob Nosse (D-Portland) the Caucus’ inaugural membership included 9 senators and representatives, but by last night, membership had increased to thirteen. The caucus will serve as a resource to the Oregon Legislature on key issues affecting the arts and culture sector. “Members will work closely with stakeholders including the Oregon Arts Commission, the Oregon Cultural Trust (and its statewide partners), and the Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon (CACO) to stay informed on the latest research and issues. It will also set an agenda on priorities for arts and culture legislation, including a sustainable and robust funding mechanism for arts and cultural initiatives.” (From CACO’s invitation to the launch event.)

*Salem Trumpet Ensemble, Salem, Oregon

Jason Graham, the creative laureate of Bend known as MOsley WOtta, played emcee of the evening. Through his strategic introduction he jived, hyped, and kept the audience of community members, arts organizations, artists, musicians, and advocates informed and masterfully revealed the irony of being asked to write a piece for the evening, with zero budget. The conundrum that many artists face in light of opportunities still managed to appear with the real struggle for compensation of artists.

With over 300 people in attendance, the free event showcased local ice-cream, Mediterranean inspired nosh, jello-shots and performers, from the master Charro rope artist Antonio Huerta of Springfield, to members of the Salem Trumpet Ensemble.  Lead by Jaimie Hall, the ensemble was accepted to compete at the 2023 National Trumpet Competition, which will be held later this month from March 25-27th at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Members of the ensemble include, Kaden Blake, Nicholas Peterson-Hunt, and Nick Telford from West Salem High School (Director Todd Zimbleman); Keegan Arnsmeier from McNary High School (Director Elizabeth Hering); and Ian King from Sprague High School (Director Jennifer Vowels).   

The Arts & Culture Caucus are currently supporting:

  • $50 million in recovery funding for arts and culture organizations and grants to be administered by counties and tribal governments through House Bill 2459.
  • $200 million in lottery funds invested to generate about $10 million in awards that would go to some of the 1,600 arts and culture nonprofits in Oregon through House Bill 2498.
  • $10 million increase in funding for the Oregon Arts Commission.

*2023 Oregon State Legislature Arts & Culture Caucus members (not all present in picture) & other members of the community

The list below reflects some of the people who helped make this event possible, including those instrumental in the  formation of the Arts & Culture Caucus. 

Subashini Ganesan-Forbes, Oregon Arts Commissioner

Jason McNeal Graham/MOsley WOtta, Emcee

David Harrelson, Oregon Arts Commissioner

Salem-Keizer School District Trumpet Quintet/Jaimie Hall, Director

Jenny Green, Chair, Oregon Arts Commission

Harlen Springer, Vice Chair, Oregon Arts Commission

Niki Price, Chair, Oregon Cultural Trust

J.S. May, President, Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon

Antonio Huerta, Charro/Mexican Horseman

Rep. Rob Nosse, Arts & Culture Caucus Coordinator

Members of the Arts & Culture Caucus

RACC’s Board Member, Thomas Lauderdale, musician

Hunter Noack, musician

 

The now 13 Caucus Members include:

Rep. Rob Nosse, Portland

Sen. Dick Anderson, Lincoln City

Rep. Janelle Bynum, Clackamas

Rep. Maxine Dexter, Portland

Rep David Gomberg, Otis

Rep Dacia Grayber (New), Tigard

Sen. Bill Hansell, Athena

Rep Annessa Hartman (New), Gladstone

Rep. John Lively, Springfield

Rep. Pam Marsh, Ashland

Sen. Deb Patterson, Salem

Rep. Lisa Reynolds (New), NE Washington County

Rep. Ricki Ruiz (New), Gresham

Please reach out to Mario Mesquita , Manager of Advocacy and Engagement at RACC for more information.

*Photography by Mario Mesquita

 

The Regional Arts & Culture Council Supports Maintaining Current Arts Education Funding Levels & Encourages School Districts to Join Us in Our Support of Arts Education for All

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Portland, OR –

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As our school districts across the state look to their budgets, reorganize, and prioritize in the coming months, we know that teachers’ jobs are in danger once again. When public education loses teachers, we lose educational opportunities for all of our students. This in turn affects our entire region. Arts education funding in particular is once again at risk.

We urge school districts to maintain your support for arts education programs in our K-12 schools. We are not asking for more funding, even though we know this is necessary to ensure equitable access to arts and culture programing in our schools. We ask you to not decrease funding. We know that art engagement provides a skill set that is critical in our creative economy, and also helps us heal, connect, and build relationships. Art has the power to help move us forward out of trauma. We know that having a robust well-rounded education that includes the arts keeps kids in school, exposes us to diverse cultures, teaches empathy and compassion, encourages us to think critically, to be civically engaged, and, most importantly, brings us joy. We know that the arts create a pathway forward, providing hope and giving voice to the community.

We envision an arts education that is rooted in equity, access, and inclusion. A new bipartisan group of 2023 Oregon legislators have formed an Arts and Culture Caucus. Many leaders in arts and culture in Oregon, including the Oregon Arts Commission and the Oregon Cultural Trust, advocate for increased funding for arts education in our schools, and provide grant opportunities to arts organizations that have arts education programming. RACC is such a leader and, through our grant programs, support organizations who include arts education programming. RACC understands the importance of civic engagement and we encourage you to reach out to your elected officials to share with them your concerns.

Please support arts and culture educational programming in your local schools. Join us in supporting arts education for all.

 

MEDIA CONTACTS

Chanda Evans, Arts Education Program Manager

cevans@racc.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL Community Arts Engagement and Listening Sessions to be held in March

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The Regional Arts & Culture Council is one of the many partners who are participating in the  Our Creative Future project. We want to ensure your participation and encourage you to sign up to attend any community arts engagement and listening sessions. We are sending this message on behalf of the partners.  If you have suggestions regarding these events please reach out to Our Creative Future’s primary organizers. Below you will find a message from the organizers at Our Creative Future.

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Thanks for your interest in taking part in the Our Creative Future arts and cultural planning process. I am sure it was frustrating to attempt to register for an event only to find that it was already at capacity.

Our initial community meetings with arts organizations and artists are intended to be held in person, and as such, we are working within the venue capacities of our generous hosts. These meetings filled up much, much faster than we anticipated. As a result we are now looking into options to host additional in-person events to hear from arts organizations and artists in the coming weeks and months. We will share any updates about this through our email list and at ourcreativefuture.org.

We are planning two virtual engagement sessions with arts organizations and artists to take place over Zoom in March. You can RSVP at the links below.

VIRTUAL:  Friday, March 24 from 1030-12:00pm (PST) arts and culture organizations: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/arts-and-cultural-organizations-engagement-session-onlinemarch-tickets-541868311707

VIRTUAL: Friday, March 24 from 3:00-4:30pm (PST) artists and creatives: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/artists-and-creatives-engagement-session-onlinemarch-tickets-541870819207

We will also soon be launching an online community survey so that anyone who can’t attend one of our conversations can still lend their voice to the arts and cultural plan, as well as a Community Conversations toolkit to share highlights from discussions around the region. All of our community engagement opportunities are free to participate in.

Thank you again for your interest. We truly hope to hear from you as a part of this effort!

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For more information regarding RACC’s participation please reach out to Mario Mesquita, Manager of Advocacy and Engagement.

AFTA Issues Statement about FY23 Omnibus Appropriations Bill

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Americans for the Arts (AFTA) and the Americans for the Arts Action Fund issue joint statement on the FY23 Omnibus Appropriations bill.

The Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) would like to share with you a recent press release from our partner, Americans for the Arts (AFTA). We would like to extend our gratitude to Senator Jeff Merkley (OR) for his leadership, persistence, and support of arts and culture in Oregon. We know that many organizations and individuals advocated their support for the arts and culture sector throughout our nation and wish to honor their work and time spent on this this important legislation. Read the full press release here or below.

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Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Nolen Bivens, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, and Nina Ozlu Tunceli, executive director of the Americans for the Arts Action Fund, released this statement in response to Congress’ FY 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill:

“We are very pleased that Congress has recommended a $27 million funding increase each for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), bringing them to an all-time budget high of $207 million. This action moves these agencies closer to indexing their funding at $1 per person. Of equal importance is the Congressional report language accompanying this year’s NEA and NEH funding, recommending grantmaking policies to be more equitable and diverse. This report language includes many components of Rep. Barbara Lee’s (D-CA) inspiring legislation on Advancing Equity Through the Arts and Humanities.

“We are also happy that Congress directed first-time funding of $10 million to the U.S. Department of Defense’s National Intrepid Center of Excellence to support clinical creative arts therapies for those serving in the military. An additional $5 million will go to the Department of Veteran Affairs for its Whole Health Initiative.

“Congress also approved over 68 cultural organizations across the country to receive more than $66 million in direct project funding, also known as congressional earmarks. These projects include arts education programs for youth, support for museums, theaters, and performing arts centers, and creative workforce apprenticeship programs. Additional funding increases of $26.8 million were also recommended to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and $10 million for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.”

“Local and state arts agencies, arts organizations, arts unions, and artists played a significant role, as constituents, in contributing towards making this legislation possible. It cannot be overemphasized that the artists, creative workers, and culture bearers they support are the heartbeat of communities across the country. The social power of the arts has the power to unite us. The recommendation of funding at this level enables that.

“We are deeply grateful to the bipartisan and bicameral efforts of members of Congress to support and recognize the value of the arts as a national asset—particularly Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairs Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) in the House and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) in the Senate.”

For tools, resources, and information on how to make the case for the arts and arts education, visit the Americans for the Arts’ Arts Mobilization Center. 

 

Regional Arts & Culture Council urges Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley to support Arts & Culture funding in Congress

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Join Us! SIGN BY FRIDAY, NOV. 25, 2022

The final FY23 Interior Appropriations budget, which includes annual funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) will be negotiated by current members of both the United States Senate and the House of Representatives. Currently the House version sets allocations at an all-time high of $207 million each for the NEA and NEH, whereas the Senate Appropriations Committee (chaired by Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley) has allocated only $195 million each. 

RACC, the City of Portland, and Oregon arts and cultural organizations ask you to join us in respectfully urging Senator Jeff Merkley, Chair of the Interior Appropriations Committee, to accept the House-approved level of $207 million for both the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

View the letter, written by Americans for the Arts here.

Add your organization’s signature here. Please share with others and be sure to sign up by November 25th for the impact to be felt in Washington, DC.

As part of the arts and cultural sector, we know that investment strengthens our economy and the social fabric of our communities. Please join in advocating your support of this measure to Senator Jeff Merkley for increased funding!

Thank you! 

RACC shares update on the Thompson Elk restoration plan from the Portland Parks Foundation

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Released to media on 10/3/22 from the Portland Parks Foundation

CONTACT: Randy Gragg,

503-799-2655; rgragg@portlandpf.org

Thompson Elk Fountain Restoration Feasibility Study Update

Portland Parks Foundation’s team completes study and preliminary cost estimate

The Portland Parks Foundation has completed its feasibility study and preliminary cost estimates for the restoration and reinstallation of the Thompson Elk Fountain. PPF and its consultants, Architectural Resources Group (ARG) and the landscape/urban design firm MIG have submitted its restoration plan to the Portland’s Office of Management and Finance (OMF). In turn, OMF has submitted it to the Bureau of Development Services for an anticipated November “Design Advice Request” with the Portland Historic Landmarks Commission. That hearing, in which the team will get feedback from the Landmarks Commissioners, is open to the public for listening and testimony. For updates on the hearing, go to portland.gov/bds/landmarks.

“We are honored to present to the city this restoration design, which restores and returns the elk and fountain to their original location,” said Randy Gragg, executive director of PPF. “We’ve also developed potential street improvements to make the fountain a safer, universally accessible, and more welcoming place to visit.”

The study determined that 18 of the fountain’s 50 pieces will have to be remade. They include some of the most complex. All four of the fountain’s five-foot-long troughs and some of the most intricately carved ornaments will have to be refabricated. “But the good news,” according to ARG project lead Maya Foty, “stone from the original stone quarry is still available.”

The study also incorporates seismic stabilization and a recirculating pump for the fountain. The team developed preferred street upgrades that would create better access and a “viewing area” for the statue and fountain. Building on PBOT’s recently implemented separation of bikes and motorists around the fountain area on Southwest Main Street, ARG and MIG’s design provides two wheelchair accessible access points to a viewing area protected from passing traffic by elegant granite domed bollards.

“The design provides a refuge for people and it better protects the fountain from vehicles,” said Rachel Edmonds of MIG, “and also creates a sense of place around the fountain using historically compatible materials.” Based on 30-percent schematic design, the cost for the fountain restoration, new pump mechanism and reinstallation is estimated to be $1.2- $1.3 million. The street improvements would add approximately $670,000.

“We anxiously await what the city’s insurance settlement will yield and what the City Council determines the city can afford,” said Gragg. “We at PPF believe there is wide community support to pitch in if the final gap is not too large.”

PPF continues to accept contributions to restore the Thompson Elk Fountain. Donate here.

The Thompson Elk Fountain was badly damaged during the civil unrest of summer, 2020 that followed the murder of George Floyd. The city quickly moved the elk and the fountain pieces into storage. PPF’s study was overseen by a seven-member Project Advisory Committee of preservation and street design experts and informed by a technical advisory committee of city bureau representatives with oversight of the parks, street, and infrastructure, along with the Regional Arts & Culture Council who oversees the bronze elk.

Besides looking comprehensively at the restoration and streetscape, PPF hired two historians, Keith Eggener, a professor at the University of Oregon’s School of Architecture and Milo Reed, a freelance historian who works with Oregon Black Pioneers and Vanport Mosaic and currently chairs the Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries. They researched both the history of the elk fountain’s making and the social history of the fountain and its surrounding parks since its installation in 1900.

Former Mayor David P. Thompson commissioned the sculpture to honor the Humane Society which he cofounded. In the decades since, the historians found, the elk has stood at the center of protests over such perennial issues as free speech, workers’ rights, deportation of immigrants, and police shootings.

“For 120 years, people have gathered at the fountain to enjoy it as a thing of beauty and a symbol of nature, but also to give voice to their convictions,” noted Gragg. “Our goal is to renew it, reinstall it, and make it a safer, more inviting public space.”

PPF will release the full feasibility study and the findings of its historians in advance of the Design Advice Request hearing.

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Regional Arts & Culture Council endorses the CREATIVE Act (Capital, Repairs, and Employment for Art Talent to Improve Visibility Everywhere) Introduced by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR1)

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 31 2022

Regional Arts & Culture Council endorses the CREATIVE Act

(Capital, Repairs, and Employment for Art Talent to Improve Visibility Everywhere) Introduced by

Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR1)

Portland, Oregon —

We join arts and culture organizations and businesses across the nation, including the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Americans for the Arts (AFTA), Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF), Grantmakers in the Arts, Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon, and many others who believe that arts and culture are a vital part of what makes us human and enables us to thrive, share stories, connect, learn, and innovate. This act will support our arts organizations and grow our creative economy here in Oregon and the rest of the nation. The Capital, Repairs, and Employment for Art Talent to Improve Visibility Everywhere (CREATIVE) Act will be instrumental as arts organizations strive to recover from the pandemic. It will provide additional funds through grants to build or upgrade current facilities, produce art, reach underserved communities, and hire new staff.

“The arts are an integral part of our economy, help us better understand the world around us, and fuel authentic and meaningful community-building,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “Arts organizations were hit hard by the pandemic and many are still struggling to rebuild. The CREATIVE Act will provide the funding these important organizations need to restore their programming and create jobs in the creative sector.”

The CREATIVE Act builds on the NEA’s critical support for local arts agencies organizations by expanding their grantmaking capacity. Specifically, the CREATIVE Act would:

Expand Access to Capital for Facilities: The grants can be used to improve or upgrade facilities, hire new staff, and produce art;

Seek Community Input: Applicants must include how their community will benefit from these resources and how they plan to sustain their programs;

Reach Underserved Communities: Eligible applicants must focus on access to the arts, including arts education in underrepresented communities;

Create Strong Guardrails: The grants will involve reporting requirements and a procedure for returning unused or misspent funds;

Make Rural Outreach a Priority: At least 20% of total grant funds will be reserved for rural communities.

Last year, The Arts Education for All Act was introduced to address the gap in access to arts education, which has the potential to improve the lifelong health and achievement of both children and adults. RACC joined hundreds of other organizations across the country in the endorsement of this act. Once again, Oregon is a leader in advocating, promoting, and encouraging creative work to be part of the artscape in our communities through these legislative acts.

Carol Tatch, RACC’s Chief of External Operations, said “As we look to creating the future that our artists and creatives deserve, RACC sees this as another tool for our continuing recovery from recent health and environmental impacts and an essential building block for access, equity, and engagement in our shared communities. Please support this effort with full hearts and open minds. Let’s KEEP creating the world we want to live in.”

A one-page summary of the CREATIVE Act can be found here. The text of the legislation can be found here.                                                                                                 

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The Regional Arts & Culture Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides grants for artists and nonprofit organizations in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties; manages an internationally acclaimed public art program; convenes forums, networking events and other community gatherings; and provides workshops and other forms of technical assistance. RACC advocates for equity, inclusion and access, working to build a community in which everyone can participate in culture, creativity and the arts. For more information visit racc.org. 

 

 

MEDIA CONTACT

Mario Mesquita, Manager of Advocacy and Engagement, RACC

mmesquita@racc.org

The Installation Space’s Inaugural Exhibit: KSMoCA’s Present Days

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The Installation Space’s inaugural art exhibition in the newly renovated Portland Building includes a selection of ephemera from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School Museum of Art (KSMoCA), an art museum within an elementary school in Northeast Portland. This display includes a selection of previous artworks and comments by Lomarion, a fifth-grader at the school on the Student Curatorial Committee, and a selection of new pieces from the KSMoCA Mentorship Program.

Mentors and mentees participating in this exhibit include: Claire Melli & Tasha, Leo Crum & Emily, Laura Glazer & Reed, Gillian Rappaport with 5th-grade students, Mo Geiger & Becca Kauffman with the 5th-grade Safety Patrol, Lyberty Udochu, Omar Arras, and Sean Bascom with JAGz (Justin, Amir, Gabriel, Melia, & Chris). Present Days was coordinated by Diana Marcela Cuartas and Lillyanne Phạm, current MFA students in Portland State University’s Art + Social Practice program.

On view: July 1, 2022 – November 11, 2022

at the Portland Building — Installation Space, 2nd Floor
(1120 SW 5th Avenue Portland, Oregon 97204)

 

Photo by Gilian Rappaport and Bex Copper. Currently on view within the exhibition.

A Message from KSMoCA:

KSMoCA: Present Days Featuring Lomarion’s Favorite Works from 2015-2022 / Mentorship Program Spring 2022 

Welcome to an exhibit/extension of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School Museum of Contemporary Art (KSMoCA), Present Days! We, the Student Curatorial Committee, restarted in January 2022 with a new crew and students after a year of hibernation during COVID-19.

Coming back to in-person life, we have spent the last few months getting to know the school staff and building relationships with its community, creating pathways for families to engage with KSMoCA, and taking part in the mentorship program with fifth-grader Lomarion.

Our names are Diana Marcela Cuartas and Lillyanne Phạm. We are current MFA students in Portland State University’s Art + Social Practice program. We were allowed to update a previous exhibit started at this space in 2019 by Roz Crews and six fifth-graders, now middle schoolers. What you see here reflects the current days of KSMoCA. After an intense time shift, we are back and filled with creatively generative mentorship relationships and critical topics relevant to our everyday lives.

Lomarian, Curator and 5th grader, Student Curatorial Committee.

Interview with fifth-grader Lomarion

Lillyanne: What is KSMoCA?

Lomarion: KSMoCA is an art place where people go to create art. My favorite part about KSMoCA is the different types of stuff that we can do. The room is like a jungle with a lot of cords. And my good awesome friend Lilly. We hangout Wednesdays and Thursdays. We are hosting a basketball game on June 4th too!

Lillyanne: Yes! A basketball game as a collaborative art project for PSU’s annual Art + Social Practice conference, Assembly 2022.

Diana: The jungle is the museum. Do you like having a museum at the school?

Lomarion: I like having a museum because it has a lot of different types of animals like lions because I’m always lyin’. It makes me want to go to an art museum and help with the art.

Diana: Why does art need museums?

Lomarion: Art needs museums so people across the whole world can see every piece of art created by a famous person or a person with creativity.

Lillyanne: Do you like museums better in schools or downtown?

Lomarion: Yes! I haven’t been to the one downtown. It’s about to be math time for me.

Lillyanne: Let’s get you back to class.

Lomarion’s Favorite Works from 2015-2022

We, Lomarion and Lillyanne, started our student-mentor relationship in the spring of 2022. We talked about life near and in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School and the contemporary art museum, KSMoCA. Lomarion shared his experience both as a student and as the school’s neighbor; he also has an older sister who attended the school. Unofficially, he is known as the school’s mayor, as health/PE teacher Mr. Monty said. Lomarion’s expertise led him to curate this show. He gave his advice on the best works to pay attention to at the school along with his favorite works from peer submissions. He said curating is “picking things you like and sharing it with people.” He suggests that being a curator takes “50% smarts, 50% imagination, great thinking, good ideas (good as in nice), being prepared, having a cute face but a cuter voice.”

 

About KSMoCA 

KSMoCA, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School Museum of Contemporary Art, is a contemporary art museum inside an elementary school. The project reimagines how museums, public schools, and universities shape people, culture, and perspectives by creating radical intersections and sharing resources across organizations. Internationally renowned artists collaborate with students and school staff on site-specific projects, exhibitions, and workshops, cultivating space for art to educate within and beyond the classroom through mutual exchange. Students learn through experience about museum practice and careers in the arts by participating as curators, preparators, artists, gallerists, writers, and docents.

KSMoCA’s program includes rotating exhibitions with visiting artists, a classroom adoption program with local arts institutions, a 1-on-1 mentorship program with local artists, a public artist lecture series, site-specific commissions, community and neighborhood events, and more. The public is welcome to experience the museum by appointment and during selected open hours.

For more information, visit our website: www.ksmoca.com.

Also check out @ksmoca on Instagram for the latest updates.

About Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School is a pre-K – 5th grade public school located in the King neighborhood of NE Portland, OR. In 2018, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of our legacy and our name change, a student-led initiative directed by middle school students who worked with district administration to change the school’s name just days after the death of Dr. King. At Dr. MLK Jr. Elementary School, we believe in the unlimited potential of everyone in our diverse community. We believe that a caring, well-balanced student will be motivated to become a global citizen who is inspired to take action.

The Mentorship Program

The KSMoCA Artist Mentorship Program pairs working artists and arts professionals in the Portland area with K – 5th grade students at Dr. MLK Jr. Elementary School in a long-term mentorship. Volunteer mentors spend 40 minutes with their mentee each week in student-directed, flexible time designed to foster the development of each student’s individual creative practice and encourage mutual exchange.

Students at Dr. MLK Jr. Elementary School hold a diverse set of intersectional identities. It is important to us that the KSMoCA Artist Mentorship Program supports and reflects our students’ experiences, and that we cultivate an environment of culturally responsive learning.

Since 2019, the KSMoCA Mentorship Program has been paused due to COVID-19 safety procedures. To continue relationship-building, Lisa Jarrett and Michael Bernard Stevenson Jr. taught three PSU courses entitled KSMoCA Museum and Community for art and non-art majors alike during 2021 and 2022. PSU students worked at Dr. MLK Jr. Elementary School to collaborate with Dr. MLK Jr. students and develop mentor/mentee relationships.

Mentors and mentees participating in this exhibit: Claire Melli & Tasha, Leo Crum & Emily, Laura Glazer & Reed, Sean Bascom & Gabriel, Gillian Rappaport with 5th grade students, Mo Geiger & Becca Kauffman with the 5th grade Safety Patrol, and Lyberty Udochu, Omar Arras, & Sean Bascom with JAGz (Justin, Amir, Gabriel, Melia, & Chris).

 

About Installation Space

The Installation Space is an art gallery with an almost 30-year legacy located on the second floor of the Portland Building. The gallery is managed by the Regional Arts & Culture Council and its mission is to present conceptually rigorous, site-specific and experimental media installations.

The Portland Building houses numerous municipal offices including Parks & Recreation, Transportation, and the Water Bureau. The building is a controversial anomaly of postmodern architecture, designed by Michael Graves in 1982.

The Installation Space gallery program began in 1994 and was on hold for years due to the building’s extensive, multi-year renovation and pandemic closures. This exhibition marks the relaunch of the art program. Stay tuned to learn more about exhibition opportunities and future programming.

Questions? Contact Morgan Ritter, RACC Public Art Exhibitions & Collections Specialist, at mritter@racc.org.