RACC Blog

1.2 Million in Arts Funding Awarded to 275 Portland Artists and Organizations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Portland, OR — February 20th, 2025. In collaboration with the City of Portland’s Office of Arts & Culture, the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) has awarded $1.2 million in arts funding to 275 Portland-based artists and arts and culture organizations. Of these recipients, 185 awardees are individual artists, 90 awardees are arts and culture organizations, and 131 awardees stated that they’ve never received a grant award from RACC. From performing and visual arts, to film and literature, art forms from every medium are represented among selected grantees.

Portland Arts Project Grants are a new funding initiative to support innovative artistic projects in the city of Portland. The program invites applications from Portland-based artists and organizations seeking to advance their work through programming, presentations, events or artistic development that engages and benefits the public. Grants between $1,000 and $5,000 have been awarded to support arts programs and activities that show community impact.

At RACC, we believe art is a public good—a force that binds communities, challenges perspectives, and reimagines what’s possible. This partnership with the City of Portland underscores our shared commitment to equitable access: ensuring artists and organizations in every neighborhood have the resources to create boldly. An investment in arts and culture is an investment in Portland’s future—because when artists thrive, our communities thrive.

Greg Netzer, Regional Arts & Culture Council Executive Director.

“The City of Portland’s Office of Arts & Culture is so proud to partner with RACC to provide funding for the new Portland Arts Projects Grants. Creating more space for more artists and arts organizations to explore, hone, and share their work across Portland, from downtown to the city’s farthest reaches, is one of the most important arts and culture investments the City can make.”

Chariti Montez, Office of Arts & Culture Director.

This grant program continues RACC’s decades-long relationship with the City of Portland, serving our region with grant programs that celebrate community engagement among diverse creative disciplines. Funding is awarded through a competitive process wherein arts community members serve on peer review panels, separated by discipline, to evaluate each request.

RACC received 514 applications for consideration in this cycle. Applications were assigned to 15 panels according to their discipline and evaluated by 35 community reviewers from the local arts community. Reviewers scored the applications against criteria including: project concept, quality of artmaking and experience, impact on the applicant, engagement with an audience and/or community, and financial readiness. In addition, reviewers were asked to consider how each application aligned with both RACC’s core values and the City of Portland’s commitment to inclusively serving the community.

I’m so excited that RACC has been able to continue to partner with the City of Portland on grantmaking to support such a breadth and scope of arts projects. I am proud of the work the team and community have done to get funding out to creatives and artmakers. Now the truly exciting part where the community can start engaging with realized artistic projects can begin.

Ingrid Carlson, Senior Programs Officer at RACC.

RACC continues to collect demographic information, including the leadership and anticipated project audiences of organizational applicants in order to help fulfill the intentions of the Arts Access Fund, one funding source for this grant. Around 46 (or 50%) of the organizational projects will serve youth in their audiences or participants and 80 (or 89%) will reach other identified underserved communities. Of the artist applicants who provided information, over 43% of the grant recipients identified as people of color, 53% identified as LGBTQIA+, and 38% identified as low income.

In addition to Portland Arts Project Grants, two other grant opportunities were made available to  Portland creatives over the past six months, as detailed on the Office of Arts & Culture ’s website at portland.gov/arts-grants. RACC was contracted by the City of Portland’s Office of Arts & Culture alongside MusicOregon and Friends of IFCC to provide grantmaking services to our communities.

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Contact:

Meech Boakye

Communications Lead, RACC

mboakye@racc.org

Kelly Knickerbocker

Communications Coordinator,

City of Portland’s Office of Arts & Culture

kelly.knickerbocker@portlandoregon.gov

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About the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC): For decades, RACC has served every neighborhood of our region, ensuring arts and culture are accessible to all. Our nationally acclaimed public art program enlivens parks, community centers, government buildings, libraries and health clinics; brings people and communities together; and makes our region a more vibrant and welcoming place to be. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we work to elevate the voices and visibility of individual artists, creative organizations and arts nonprofits – especially those that serve underrepresented communities – amplifying their impact through grants, professional development and other vital resources. Through strategic partnerships, our team works to build coalitions and lead new initiatives, crafting a shared vision for an equitable future for arts and culture in our region. For more information, please visit racc.org.

About the Office of Arts & Culture at the City of Portland: Arts and culture are integral to our community and vital to Portland’s identity as a center of creativity. Artists and creative workers help define our culture, fuel our economy, and enhance our quality of life. We celebrate creativity in all its forms so that communities can connect, companies can flourish, and students can succeed in school and in life. The Office of Arts & Culture supports Portland’s arts and culture ecosystem and expands opportunities for Portlanders to participate in creative experiences. We do this through arts education coordination, cultural planning, grantmaking, public art and the Percent for Art program, and more. Our vision: arts at the center of public life in Portland.


FY25 Portland Arts Project Grant Awardees

In partnership with the City or Portland’s Office of Arts & Culture, RACC designed and administered the FY25 Portland Arts Project Grant (PAG) program to support the making and sharing of artistic work and the development of the arts community in Portland, Oregon. Individual artists, arts organizations, arts businesses, and other nonprofits applied for grant funding to support arts programs and activities that have community impact. The following 275 Grants were awarded in February 2025 for a total of $1.2 million:

2024-2025 RACC Portland Arts Project Grant awards:

Individual artists:

Funded in partnership with the City of Portland’s Office of Arts & Culture

Individual artists Working Title Primary Artistic Discipline  Award
 Abbey St. John Bedroom Lore #1 – Dreams Visual Arts $2,000
 Adam McWane Horizon Golden Music $5,000
 Ajay Ravi Visiting Artist Series Music $5,000
 Alexandra Burress The Unheard Soundscapes of Forest Park Music $5,000
 Alexandra Loves Roots Journey: Messages From Our Family in Africa Film/Video $5,000
 Allie Hankins By My Own Hand, Part 5: INVISIBLE TOUCH Multi-Discipline $5,000
 Amanda Arroyo Tiny Gallery St. Johns Visual Arts $2,000
 Amanda Triplett Verdant Sanctuary: Imagining the Guild Lake’s Native Plant Life Visual Arts $4,000
 Andrew Wenzlaff Two sculpture workshops Visual Arts $1,000
 Anthony Hudson 3rd Annual Portland Drag Theatre Workshop Multi-Discipline $5,000
 Anthony Roberto Object, Model, Figure, Form:  time refuses to go by Visual Arts $3,000
 Arminda Gandara A Library for Diaspora Multi-Discipline $5,000
 Ary Solomon Seeding Portland Song Culture Folk Arts/Cultural Arts $5,000
 Austin Stolz Snail Lunch on 16mm Film/Video $3,000
 Bea Yeh Ogden Festival of Hungry Ghosts Folk Arts/Cultural Arts $4,000
 Blair Borax The Color Green: Mixing, Mastering, and CD production Music $5,000
 Bobby Adams Ink & Drink Re-Launch at Sad Valley Bar in 2025 Visual Arts $5,000
 Brad Hansen Concert of Brad Hansen’s Music, by the PSU Chamber Choir Music $5,000
 BrandonLee Cierley Dedications – Third Studio Album (tentative) Music $3,000
 Bryan Smith Postcards From Oregon Music $5,000
 Cameron McCafferty Agent Izzy Bunny Literature $3,000
 Catherine Garvin Cana Cludhmor Harp and Song Recording and Concert Music $5,000
 Cavash  Johnson-Madison WMC (We.Make.Culture) A BIPOC Variety Show Multi-Discipline $5,000
 Cayla McGrail & Jason G Damron Gilding the Closet: Portland Regional Queer Art History, Space & Place Media Arts $3,000
 Celeste Noche Bye and Bye Visual Arts $5,000
 Charles Xiong Dear Evergreen Visual Arts $5,000
 Chitra Subrahmanyam Phone Voice LP2 Music $3,000
 Chris Lael Larson Cascades Visual Arts $3,000
 Christina Rusnak Women’s Rights Are Human Rights Music $3,000
 Christine Freije The Doppelgänger Project Theatre/Musical Theatre $5,000
 Colin Robson Brother vs Robot Debut Album Music $5,000
 Collin Hegna Federale – Unnamed Album #7 Music $3,000
 Cyrus Nabipoor Unwavering Music $4,000
 Dana deLaski The Hard Part Film/Video $5,000
 Daniel Cantu CHIMERA Short Documentary Film/Video $5,000
 Daniel Isaac Brown Ta Hasso: We remember Multi-Discipline $5,000
 David Fuks Alma de Luna workshop Theatre/Musical Theatre $3,000
 Dawn Jones Redstone Appliance of Science Film/Video $5,000
 Devin Tau Sansei Sensibility Film/Video $5,000
 Dominic Rieniets Tales of a Fire Challenged Dragon – A Childrens book Visual Arts $3,000
 Eduardo Jovanovic Paraisos – Music video Film/Video $5,000
 Elliott Miskovicz Climbing the Underwater Ladder Music $3,000
 Eric Jensen Arts Extension through Grant Funding Visual Arts $4,000
 Erika Bolstad Monumental Film/Video $5,000
 Erin Rachel Sonic Sound Lab: Weaving Stories through Sound Exploration Multi-Discipline $5,000
 Erinn Kathryn Hatter Installation for Terrain Group Land Art Exhibition Visual Arts $5,000
 Ethan Van Der Merwe Concorde Film/Video $3,000
 Eva Moss Born Again Film/Video $5,000
 Farah Haidari By Any Means Theatre/Musical Theatre $5,000
 Finn Donnelly The Show Show Portland – Winter Multi-Discipline $5,000
 G. Chesler Directing the Documentary with Courtney Hermann Film/Video $5,000
 Genevieve Hildebrand-Chupp Big Soft World Pop-Up Art Park Multi-Discipline $5,000
 Ghan Patel Small Stones Songs Music $3,000
 Gilian Rappaport The Original Fig III Multi-Discipline $5,000
 Gisela Rodriguez Fernandez Voces de la revolucion (Voices of revolution) Multi-Discipline $5,000
 Gordon Patterson My Brother Lawrence Visual Arts $4,000
 Grace Carter Transcend Theatre/Musical Theatre $5,000
 Grace Dunbar Pop-up Solo Show at One Grand Gallery Visual Arts $5,000
 Grady Zerse Caught In A Memory Visual Arts $5,000
 Grant Brady 10 Free Little Art Galleries Visual Arts $4,000
 Hannah Cumming Sea Legs Film/Video $5,000
 Hannah Newman Neural Lithic Futures Visual Arts $5,000
 Heldáy de la Cruz Provecho Magazine Issue 03 Literature $5,000
 Helen Helfand Sculptural Wood Carving Workshop Visual Arts $3,000
 Hibiki Miyazaki Spring Collaborative Exhibition Visual Arts $3,000
 Hyun Jung Jung Living Vicariously Through. Visual Arts $3,000
 Iram Asghar Taking space to heal wounds Multi-Discipline $5,000
 J Wallace Lunar Sessions Multi-Discipline $5,000
 Jack Gibson Don’t Be Scared Film/Video $3,000
 Jacqueline Luna Peña Ritmos de la Tierra (Rhythms of the Earth) Folk Arts/Cultural Arts $4,000
 Jae Nichelle “breaking, broken” community short film screening Film/Video $3,000
 James Jones Music video for The Ghost of James Jones band Music $2,000
 Jamie Fredericks Inner Sanctuary, an album of healing music by Mossy Hymns Music $5,000
 Jason Edward Davis Back of the Video Store II Visual Arts $2,000
 Jason Rouse Teen Sketch Comedy Program Expansion Theatre/Musical Theatre $5,000
 Jennifer Wright Long Strings Music $5,000
 Joanie Fox Beatlore Film/Video $5,000
 Jodie Cavalier Portland Garage Gallery in Irvington Visual Arts $3,000
 Joe Kye Studio Sessions for Upcoming Album “Silk” Music $5,000
 Joeanally Gonzalez Nico’s Adventure: The Journey Through Forest Park Multi-Discipline $5,000
 John Beer Portland Poetry Festival Literature $5,000
 Jordan Isadore you look good, bud (expanded) Dance/Movement $5,000
 Joseph Erikson Class Wars Film/Video $5,000
 Josephine LaCosta A Writer’s Room in Portland Literature $2,000
 Joshua Hood-Marvin Bring the Bows Back Folk Arts/Cultural Arts $5,000
 Joshua Rivera Journey and Ceremony Studio Album and Release Performance Music $4,000
 Josie Mae TWIST Multi-Discipline $3,000
 Julia Gaskill The Bigfoot Poetry Festival 2025 Literature $5,000
 Kale Bolton Creative Healing: Queer Cancer Art Collective Multi-Discipline $2,000
 Karen Polinsky PDXP’s Festival Within a Festival Theatre/Musical Theatre $5,000
 Karl Burkheimer Thinking Through Making: poetic polemics on a commitment to process Visual Arts $3,000
 Karma Rivera Debut Album Recording, Mixing and Mastering Music $3,000
 Kate Mura Commissioning Chants for Rebels & Priestesses Theatre/Musical Theatre $5,000
 Katie Prentiss Wake Up Maggie Film/Video $5,000
 Katie Sawicki The Cabin Project – Recorded By and For Music $5,000
 Kayla Caldeira Chasing Wind Film/Video $5,000
 Keelan Booth Oaks Park Roller Skating Documentary Film/Video $5,000
 Kelda Van Patten Lift Tighten Treat Transfer Tuck Visual Arts $4,000
 Kelli Pennington Void of Course Visual Arts $3,000
 Kerry Politzer West Coast Brazilian Jazz Collective Music $5,000
 Kevin Truong “Mai American” Community Film Screenings and Impact Campaign Film/Video $5,000
 Kristen Denning Wet Velvet Album Production and Release Music $3,000
 Kristen Pizzo Just Friends Film Screening and Mixer Film/Video $3,000
 KT Kusmaul Mass Movement Dance/Movement $5,000
 Larry  Yes Everyone on this Planet is Family Multi-Discipline $3,000
 Laura Glazer DREAM Publishing Social practice $5,000
 Leland Hull Queer Contact Improvisation Dance/Movement $4,000
 Limei Lai A Life of One’s Own Multi-Discipline $5,000
 Lindsay Kennedy Down to Earth Ceramics Marketplace Visual Arts $1,000
 Lindsey Plotner Dances of Significance Music $2,000
 Liz Howls Pedal Puppets Tour Multi-Discipline $5,000
 Luz Blumenfeld Listening to [Body of Water] Media Arts $2,000
 M F Intact: Solo exhibition at Waterstone Gallery Visual Arts $5,000
 Manuel Abreu home school (2025 curriculum) Multi-Discipline $5,000
 Marcel  Johansen A Portrait of Attraction Multi-Discipline $5,000
 Maria Amelia Randall Come into the Bog Visual Arts $1,000
 Marne Lucas Transmundane Multi-Discipline $5,000
 martin zarzar Wold Fusion Pdx Music $5,000
 Matthew Henderson Vvoyd Center Media Arts $5,000
 Max Mallory Gravitational Pull Issues #3 and #4 Visual Arts $1,000
 May Anuntarungsun Intellectual Property Protection Multi-Discipline $5,000
 Meaghan Sutton Unbridled Spirit Film/Video $5,000
 Megan Chin Anticapitalism Artist Book Club (AABC) Visual Arts $3,000
 Melanie Sevcenko Nice Dissolve Literature $3,000
 Melina Kiyomi Coumas Ocean Moon, Water Mother (海月 水母) Film/Video $5,000
 Mia Arvizu Release Visual Arts $3,000
 Michael Espinoza Stripped to the Bone Multi-Discipline $5,000
 Mieke Bruggeman Quadraphonnes Presents: Moondog – Sax Pax for a Sax – Live at the Alberta Rose Music $5,000
 Miesha Wilson-Harris DejaVu Mixtape Music $4,000
 Miguel Rodriguez Community Plaza Murals Visual Arts $1,000
 Mike Barber Conduit/An Evening of Solos Dance/Movement $5,000
 Mozl Morrissey Transmission Quilts Folk Arts/Cultural Arts $5,000
 Muffie Delgado Connelly Vuelve En La Concha De Tu Madre Dance/Movement $5,000
 Neal McCormick Progress Of The Ribbon Man Visual Arts $2,000
 Nedim Korkmaz Nowruz: A Spring Cultural Event Folk Arts/Cultural Arts $3,000
 Nick Fidelman Diasporic Judaica Folk Arts/Cultural Arts $3,000
 Nicole Williford Solo exhibition at Chefas Projects Visual Arts $5,000
 Ogochimere Ezendokwere Afrodance Experience Vol. 4 Dance/Movement $5,000
 Olga Kravtsova Harvest of Woman Multi-Discipline $5,000
 Pamela Hadley Guild’s Lake Visual Arts $3,000
 Patsy Morris Light as a board, Stiff as a feather Dance/Movement $5,000
 Paul Kim Communal Distractions Media Arts $5,000
 Quincy Davis 7th Wave: Vibes & Flows for Community Healing Music $3,000
 Quinn Amacher Speck Co-mixing Print Run and Reading Visual Arts $5,000
 Rachel Mulder Cyanotype Exhibition + Public Workshop Offerings Visual Arts $2,000
 Rongrong Wang Oregon MeiGui Choir Music $5,000
 Rose City MissChief Rose City MissChief presents ShaRhonda The Musical Theatre/Musical Theatre $5,000
 Rose Covert Terrain Land Art in Built Environment Installation Visual Arts $3,000
 Rose Lee Gary (the Foodie) – A Documentary Short Film/Video $5,000
 Rudy Klobas Heritage – Album production and distribution Music $3,000
 Sabina Zeba Haque The New Abnormal Visual Arts $5,000
 Sai Aguru Rasa: Culture & Sound Music $5,000
 Salt Hunter The Listening Box Visual Arts $5,000
 Sam Bangs This is Fine – Post Production Film/Video $3,000
 Samantha de la Vega NO BOX Theater Performance Theatre/Musical Theatre $5,000
 Samantha Pinkerton Sam Pinkerton Recording Project Music $5,000
 Samson Syharath Hanuman’s Shadow: Echoes of Laos and America Theatre/Musical Theatre $5,000
 Sara Jaffe Earth to You compilation and performance Multi-Discipline $4,000
 Sarah Levy Faces of SB 819 Visual Arts $5,000
 Sascha Blocker The Tortoise, The Hare, & The Bear Theatre/Musical Theatre $5,000
 Sean Brown Death of a Drag Queen Theatre/Musical Theatre $5,000
 Selene Latrine Selene Latrine’s Outhouse Zine (Issues #4 and #5) Multi-Discipline $4,000
 Sharita Towne Fortifying Black Creative Space: Now & For Future Portland Multi-Discipline $5,000
 Sofia Marks La Mariposa Theatre/Musical Theatre $5,000
 Soliana Gonzalez music/culture exchange Music $5,000
 Stacey Clampitt SPELLCAST Wax Carving Workshop Multi-Discipline $4,000
 steven golliday Living Phantom Brother, Album Recording Music $5,000
 Sundance Bleckinger The Cold Plunge Theatre/Musical Theatre $5,000
 Tahni Holt HORIZON Multi-Discipline $5,000
 Tara Johnson-Medinger Generation Loss Film/Video $5,000
 Tatiana Corbitt Dreamland Film/Video $5,000
 Taylor Wallau Printing for the People Multi-Discipline $3,000
 Terrance Burton Eccentric Visual Art Cultural Exhibition Multi-Discipline $5,000
 Terry Laurents Zentangle Class Series Visual Arts $1,000
 Theresa Hanson Enraptured: An Evening of Dance and Romance Dance/Movement $5,000
 Treasure Lunan Get The Fuck Out; Or, An Exorcism for My Ex Multi-Discipline $3,000
 Tyler Pell Portland Tennis Courterly Visual Arts $5,000
 Ursula Barton Hands On Mural Visual Arts $5,000
 Veronica Fernandez Tithe for the Sinner Film/Video $5,000
 Vivien Wise Crafting Colors of Portland Visual Arts $2,000
 Vo Vo Everywhere and Nowhere Multi-Discipline $5,000
 Wendy  Noonan The Monstrous Feminine Oracle Deck Literature $5,000
 Winona Hwang Finding My Ground Visual Arts $5,000
 Xaramar Floyd Tattoo Startup and Community Outreach Aid for 2025 Multi-Discipline $5,000

 

Arts organizations:

Funded in partnership with the City of Portland’s Office of Arts & Culture and the Arts Access Fund

Organizations Working Title Primary Artistic Discipline  Award
21ten Theatre 21ten Summer Residency Program Theatre/Musical Theatre $5,000
A Notion, A Scream May 31, 2025 concert Music $3,000
Advance Gender Equity in the Arts ALP in Action Theatre/Musical Theatre $5,000
after / time collective gallery Exhibition Programming + Creative Research Lab – 2025 Multi-Discipline $5,000
Albina Music Trust Sounds Of Albina Remixed – Vinyl Album & Release Party Music $5,000
Alder Commons Traditional Ecological Knowledge & Indigenous Crafts Multi-Discipline $5,000
Augury House 汝來 Ru Lai (As You Are) Film/Video $5,000
Baksana Ensemble Album Recording and Release Party Multi-Discipline $5,000
Bedrock Theatre Record & Launch Bedrock Theatre’s First Album Theatre/Musical Theatre $3,000
Berm BERM Issue 7 – Arts & Crafts Literature $5,000
BIPOC Adoptees VOICES VOICES, a Celebration of BIPOC Adoptee Authors Literature $5,000
CampOUT Portland CampOUT – LGBTQIA+ Youth Programming Multi-Discipline $5,000
Carnation Contemporary Carnation Contemporary: Portland Artist-Run Gallery Visual Arts $5,000
Cascadia Composers Board-produced concerts for 2025 Music $2,000
Cinema Project 2025 Programming Film/Video $5,000
Columbia Slough Watershed Council I Belong Here 2024-25 Media Arts $5,000
congruency dance collective fractals Dance/Movement $5,000
Couch Film Collective Catalyst Film Collective- Script to Screen short film Film/Video $5,000
Creative Music Guild Improvisation Summit of Portland 2025 Multi-Discipline $5,000
Curbside Serenade 2025 Laurelhurst Park Curbside Serenade Series Music $5,000
Dana Thompson Memorial Fund of Awesome Schools Out Rock Out – after school program Music $5,000
Espacio Flamenco Feria de Portland Multi-Discipline $4,000
Fear No Music Together We Rise: Fear No Music Music $5,000
First Matter Press 4 New Books from First Matter Press Literature $3,000
Futel The Old Town Crier Media Arts $5,000
Gather:Make:Shelter Gather:Make:Shelter Mullowney Print Exhibitions Visual Arts $5,000
Happy Anyway Objects after Absence social practice $2,000
Hoi Phu Huynh Year of the Horse Tết Festival Multi-Discipline $5,000
Homo Superior Productions Homo Superior 2025 Multi-Discipline $4,000
Immutable Studio Immutable Studio Artist-Resident Stipends Media Arts $5,000
In Medio Sing, My Child 2025 Music $5,000
India Cultural Association India Festival 2025 Folk Arts/Cultural Arts $5,000
Japanese Ancestral Society – Ikoi no Kai Home Cooked 2, an intergenerational & collaborative zine cookbook Multi-Discipline $4,000
Kiki Productions Portland Of The Year Ball 2025 Multi-Discipline $5,000
LineStorm Playwrights Fertile Ground New Play Reading Series Theatre/Musical Theatre $5,000
Lion Speaks Bride Price Community Screening and discussion Film/Video $5,000
Lloyd EcoDistrict Art + Heart: Lloyd Mural, Music, & Street Fair Visual Arts $5,000
Many Hats Collaboration The Hatchery 2025 Theatre/Musical Theatre $5,000
Meadowlark Trio Three New Pieces Music $5,000
Medicine Bear Native American Spiritual Encampment RedStone Collective art & culture workshop series Folk Arts/Cultural Arts $5,000
New Wave Opera Historical Women in Opera Music $5,000
nůn studios nůn studios exhibition Visual Arts $5,000
NW Dance & Culture Collective JamBallah NW 2025 Dance/Movement $5,000
Oregon Arts Watch Play-by-Play with Bobby and Susannah Media Arts $5,000
Oregon Karen Association Karen New Year Celebration Folk Arts/Cultural Arts $5,000
Oregon Origins Project Oregon Origins Project VI: The Birth of Cascadia Visual Arts $5,000
Oregon Potters Association Oaxaca Intercultural Exchange Visual Arts $5,000
Oregon Repertory Singers ChoirFestNW Music $5,000
Oregon Society of Artists Veteran’s Art Program Visual Arts $5,000
Outer Voice Outer Voice 2024/2025 Season Multi-Discipline $5,000
Past Lives Past Lives Prison Outreach Guild Visual Arts $5,000
People’s Town Hall The Experiment Film/Video $5,000
Performance Works NorthWest Alembic Artist Residency Program 2025 Dance/Movement $5,000
Portland Child Art Studio Free arts education program at the Vibrant Visual Arts $5,000
Portland Community Media dba Open Signal Portland Music Industry Showcase Film/Video $5,000
Portland in Color HERE: A Passage to Home Multi-Discipline $5,000
Portland Japanese Garden Lost Freedom: A Memory with George Takei Music $5,000
Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble PJCE & Mary Flower: Bridging Jazz and American Roots Music Music $4,000
Portland Lesbian Choir 2025 Concerts Music $5,000
Portland Panorama Northwest Filmmakers’ Conference Film/Video $5,000
Portland Revels Spring Revels 2025 Theatre/Musical Theatre $4,000
Portland SummerFest Opera in the Park Portland 2025 Music $5,000
Portland Symphonic Choir Summer Sings 2025 Music $4,000
Portland Zine Symposium Portland Zine Symposium Multi-Discipline $5,000
Pure Bathing Culture Roxi’s Dream Part 2 Music $5,000
Radix Vocal Ensemble One Sweet Chord 2025 Community Sings Music $4,000
Rahab’s Sisters Voices of Fashion: A Community Art Event Multi-Discipline $5,000
Rated Ill A Rose City Story volume 2 Music $5,000
Renegade Opera Bird Songs of Opera 2025 Music $4,000
Risk/Reward 2025 Festival of New Performance Multi-Discipline $5,000
Roots and All Theatre Ensemble Every Pretty Thing Theatre/Musical Theatre $5,000
Roseway Neighborhood Association Roseway Parkway Plaza Street Mural Visual Arts $3,000
Sabin CDC Summer Block Party 2025 Multi-Discipline $5,000
Shaver Elementary Community Organization Shaver Elementary Community Mural Visual Arts $5,000
Slumber Party Slumber Party Theatre/Musical Theatre $5,000
Soliloquy fine arts ekphraestival 2025 INTERTWINED exhibition Multi-Discipline $3,000
Souvenir 2025 Programing Support Visual Arts $5,000
Spooky World The Spooky Girls – short film Film/Video $5,000
Stage Fright Stage Fright Festival Fall 2025 Theatre/Musical Theatre $5,000
Steps for Youth Bloom Spring Student Performance Dance/Movement $5,000
Stomping Grounds Arthouse Scare City Film/Video $5,000
Street Roots Ink & Impact: Stories of Street Newspaper Vendors and Cover Art Visual Arts $5,000
Swan Songs Portland OR End-of-Life Concerts 2025 Music $5,000
The City Repair Project Village Building Convergence 2025 Multi-Discipline $5,000
The Mud Room Increasing Ceramics Access for People with Disabilities Visual Arts $4,000
Third Space Third Space: A Community Place Multi-Discipline $5,000
Thompson Elk Fountain Comic Project Weird Like Us: A History of the Thompson Elk Fountain Multi-Discipline $4,000
Vibe of Portland Support for new instructional site in partnership with Alberta Abbey Multi-Discipline $5,000
Waterstone Gallery Programming to Enhance Visibility & Attract New Audiences Visual Arts $5,000
Women In Film – Portland Educate and Incubate Program Film/Video $5,000
Word is Bond The King in Me Exhibition Visual Arts $5,000

RACC Grant Administration Guide

Congratulations on receiving a Grant from RACC!

This page provides all the information you will need to administer your grant, including appropriate acknowledgement of the grant support.

Please email grants@racc.org at any time with questions or if you need assistance!

  • Step 1: Complete Your Grant Agreement
  • Step 2: Provide Payment Information
  • Step 3: Acknowledge funding support
  • Step 4: Complete Your Funded Activity!
  • Step 5: Submit Your Final Report

Starting this year, RACC is using BILL.COM for grant payments. This system is a secure way for artists and vendors to enter their W-9 and Banking information for direct deposit ePayments:

After your Grant Agreement is approved, you will receive an invitation request via email from BILL.COM to enter your payment details. If you prefer not to share your bank account information, you can still receive a paper check via mail, just make sure we have your correct address in your Grant Agreement and in your Bill.com account.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding BILL.COM, please reach out to RACC Accounts Payable at ap@racc.org or 503.345.5295 (text messages accepted).

 

Grant payment processing can take up to 30 days. If it has been more than 30 days since you submitted your Grant Agreement, please contact grants@racc.org.

When promoting and presenting your event or sharing your artistic activities, it is important to acknowledge the support. This allows RACC to share your projects on our platforms and helps our communities see the impact of public funding for the arts.

Grants are made possible by different funding sources and investments. Please check your Grant Agreement to verify specific acknowledgment requirements for your award.

Individuals and Businesses must acknowledge funding support by using the RACC and Office of Arts & Culture logos and/or acknowledging RACC (@regionalarts) and the Office of Arts & Culture (@pdxartsculture) when promoting and presenting your event or sharing your artistic activities.

Arts Organizations must acknowledge funding support by using the RACC and Arts Access Fund logos and/or acknowledging RACC (@regionalarts) and the Arts Access Fund when promoting and presenting your event or sharing your artistic activities.

Proof of funding acknowledgment is required with your Final Report.

 

Logo Usage

On printed and web materials, we ask that grantees include logos whenever possible. If you find yourself in a situation where no sponsor logos can be included, a written notice of grant support must be acknowledged as follows:

For individuals and businesses: “[Name of project or activity] is funded in part by the Regional Arts & Culture Council and the Office of Arts & Culture.”

For arts organizations: “[Name of project or activity] is funded in part by the Regional Arts & Culture Council and the Arts Access Fund.”

In the rare case written acknowledgment is impossible, a verbal acknowledgement must be made at your event. Lastly, grantees are encouraged but not required to acknowledge grant support when speaking with the press.

Download the RACC logos

Download the Office of Arts & Culture logos

Download the Arts Access Fund logos

Social Media

RACC’s Communications team is eager to support and uplift our grantees via our social media channels. We prioritize stories from underrepresented communities including Asian, Black, Latinx, Native American, Pacific Islander, LGBTQIA+, and artists from communities with barriers to traditional support systems. To ensure we can find your content, we offer the following suggestions:

Instagram | @regionalarts

In a post on your Instagram feed, mention us in the description and tag us in the photo @regionalarts. On your Instagram story, tag us @regionalarts so we can re-share it on our own story.

Facebook | @Regional Arts & Culture Council

Tag @Regional Arts and Culture Council in your post. Please do not request for RACC to cohost your event on Facebook.

Twitter | @R_A_C_C

Mention @R_A_C_C on your post, so we can retweet.

We strive to connect with and follow the accounts of our artistic community on social media. If you are not present on social media, but would still like us to share information about a RACC supported project, please reach out to our team (comms@racc.org) about this or any other social media questions or suggestions you might have.

RACC Sponsored Events Calendar

Located in the lower right-hand corner on the main page of racc.org is the “RACC Sponsored Events Calendar”, powered by Travel Portland. If you would like your event to appear on the calendar, please visit https://www.travelportland.com/events/ to “Submit an Event”. Be sure to mark your event as “RACC Funded.” Once your event is verified, it will automatically appear on RACC’s calendar on the main page.

Track your expenses and document your activity:

You will need this information later for your Final Report! More information about reporting requirements is provided in Step #5.

Consider the ADA accessibility needs for your project:

Projects that receive public support must be fully ADA accessible and inclusive to every individual. The assurance of equal opportunity for all people to participate in the arts is fundamental. Check out these resources and others to build Access into your programming

Notify the RACC Grants team so we can see your work!

You are encouraged to keep the RACC Grants team informed of your project dates and invite us to attend your event! You can reach us at grants@racc.org.

Once your funded activity is complete, log back into the RACC Opportunity Portal to fill out your Final Report. You will access the Final Report tasks by clicking the green “Start” button for the awarded grant with the Status of “Final Report”.

The Final Report requires the following components:

  1. Final Report Form. This form includes narrative questions about the activity, a budget section, and questions about the number of people involved/impacted.
  2. Materials that show use of the RACC logo, Office of Arts & Culture logo, or other acknowledgement of grant support. This could be web links, brochures, programs, press releases, news clippings, screen shots, etc.
  3. Evidence of completed activity. This could be photos, web links, receipts, or other evidence that your grant funded opportunity was completed successfully.

Please keep in mind that compliance with final reporting requirements in previous grant cycles will be considered when the applicant's future grant applications are in review.

Once you have completed all of these components, be sure to click the green button labeled "Submit”. You will receive a confirmation email when your Final Report has been successfully submitted.

A member of the RACC grants team will review your Final Report and be in touch if we have any questions or need additional documentation. When your final report is approved, you will receive a confirmation email.

You are now eligible to apply for your next RACC grant!

Questions?

If you have questions after reviewing this guide, or if you need assistance with grant administration, please contact us. We are here to help!

You can reach the Grants team at grants@racc.org.


FY2023-24 General Operating Support Grants

Learn more about RACC’s General Operating Support program.

General Operating Support Partner Base Awards

Cycle 1 – Reports received in December 2023 and awarded January 2024

  • Artists Repertory Theatre – $45,000
  • Blue Sky Gallery (Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts) – $15,000
  • Boom Arts- $15,000
  • Friends of Chamber Music – $45,000
  • Literary Arts – $60,000
  • Oregon Ballet Theatre – $100,000
  • Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra- $20,000
  • Portland Youth Philharmonic – $45,000
  • Third Angle New Music – $15,000

Cycle 2 – Reports received in February 2024 and awarded March 2024

  • Alberta Abbey Foundation – $20,000
  • Bodyvox – $45,000
  • Caldera – $30,000
  • Chamber Music Northwest – $45,000
  • Coho Productions – $20,000
  • Imago Theatre – $20,000
  • Metropolitan Youth Symphony – $30,000
  • Oregon Symphony Association – $175,000
  • Outside the Frame – $20,000
  • Pacific Youth Choir – $15,000
  • PlayWrite – $15,000
  • Portland Art Museum – $175,000
  • Portland Center Stage – $100,000
  • Portland Experimental Theatre Ensemble – $15,000
  • Portland Opera – $85,000
  • Portland Playhouse – $45,000
  • Profile Theatre – $30,000
  • Shaking the Tree Theatre – $20,000
  • Street Books – $15,000
  • The Portland Ballet – $30,000
  • Third Rail Repertory Theatre – $20,000
  • White Bird – $30,000

Cycle 3 – Reports received in May 2024 and awarded June 2024

  • All Ages Music Portland (Friends of Noise) – $15,000
  • Arts for Learning Northwest – $45,000
  • Cappella Romana – $30,000
  • Children’s Healing Art Project – $15,000
  • Corrib Theatre – $15,000
  • Echo Theater Company – $30,000
  • Ethos Music Center – $30,000
  • Hand2Mouth – $20,000
  • Hollywood Theatre – $60,000
  • Independent Publishing Resource Center – $15,000
  • Lan Su Chinese Garden – $30,000
  • Live Wire Radio – $30,000
  • My Voice Music – $30,000
  • New Expressive Works – $15,000
  • Northwest Children’s Theater & School – $60,000
  • Northwest Dance Project – $45,000
  • NW Documentary Arts & Media – $15,000
  • Oregon BRAVO Youth Orchestras – $45,000
  • Oregon Children’s Theatre – $60,000
  • Oregon Contemporary – $20,000
  • PassinArt: A Theatre Company – $15,000
  • PDX Jazz – $30,000
  • PHAME – $30,000
  • Polaris Dance Theatre – $15,000
  • Portland Baroque Orchestra – $30,000
  • Portland Gay Men’s Chorus – $30,000
  • Portland Institute for Contemporary Art – $45,000
  • Portland Piano International – $20,000
  • Portland Street Art Alliance – $30,000
  • Portland Taiko – $15,000
  • Resonance Ensemble – $15,000
  • The Red Door Project – $30,000
  • Triangle Productions – $15,000
  • World Stage Theatre – $20,000
  • Write Around Portland – $20,000

GOS New Partner Organizations – awarded June 2024

  • North Pole Studio – $20,000
  • OK You –$15,000
  • Open Hearts Open Minds – $15,000
  • Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater – $15,000
  • Vanport Mosaic – $15,000
  • Willamette Light Brigade, dba Portland Winter Lights Festival – $15,000

Capacity Building Organizations participating in FY23-24

  • ArtMax Academy (Washington County) – $25,000
  • Cymaspace – $25,000
  • En Taiko- $25,000
  • Instituto de Cultura e Arte In Xochitl In Cuicatl – $25,000
  • MediaRites – $25,000
  • Rejoice Diaspora Dance Theater- $25,000
  • Takohachi- $25,000
  • Theatre Diaspora- $25,000
  • Vanport Mosiac – $25,000
  • World Arts Foundation- $25,000

GOS Investment Awards – awarded June 2024

  • Alberta Abbey Foundation – $20,000
  • All Ages Music Portland (Friends of Noise) – $22,000
  • Artists Repertory Theatre – $11,000
  • Arts for Learning Northwest (formerly Young Audiences) – $13,000
  • Blue Sky / Oregon Center for the Photographic Art – $16,000
  • Bodyvox – $11,000
  • Boom Arts – $22,000
  • Caldera – $20,000
  • Cappella Romana – $13,000
  • Chamber Music Northwest – $20,000
  • Coho Productions – $20,000
  • Corrib Theatre – $11,000
  • Ethos Music Center – $23,000
  • Friends of Chamber Music – $7,000
  • Hand2Mouth – $11,000
  • Hollywood Theatre (Film Action Oregon) –  $22,000
  • Imago Theatre – $11,000
  • Independent Publishing Resource Center – $25,000
  • Literary Arts – $20,000
  • Live Wire Radio – $11,000
  • Metropolitan Youth Symphony – $11,000
  • My Voice Music – $22,000
  • New Expressive Works – $13,000
  • Northwest Children’s Theater & School – $20,000
  • Northwest Dance Project – $11,000
  • NW Documentary Arts & Media – $16,000
  • Oregon Ballet Theatre – $20,000
  • Oregon BRAVO Youth Orchestras – $7,000
  • Oregon Contemporary – $22,000
  • Oregon Symphony Association – $16,000
  • Outside the Frame – $15,000
  • Pacific Youth Choir – $16,000
  • PassinArt: A Theatre Company – $20,000
  • PDX Jazz – $16,000
  • PHAME – $30,000
  • PlayWrite – $16,000
  • Polaris Dance Theatre – $22,000
  • Portland Art Museum – $25,000
  • Portland Baroque Orchestra – $7,000
  • Portland Center Stage – $27,000
  • Portland Experimental Theatre Ensemble – $20,000
  • Portland Gay Men’s Chorus – $17,000
  • Portland Institute for Contemporary Art – $20,000
  • Portland Opera – $11,000
  • Portland Piano International – $5,000
  • Portland Playhouse – $27,000
  • Portland Street Art Alliance – $20,000
  • Portland Youth Philharmonic – $7,000
  • Profile Theatre – $25,000
  • Resonance Ensemble – $22,000
  • Shaking the Tree Theatre – $20,000
  • Street Books – $22,000
  • The Portland Ballet – $13,000
  • Third Angle New Music – $27,000
  • Third Rail Repertory Theatre – $17,000
  • White Bird – $20,000
  • World Stage Theatre – $15,000
  • Write Around Portland – $11,000

 


2023-24 RACC Arts3C Grants (Spring 2024 cycle)

The RACC Arts3C Grant Program is for the Creation, Cultivation & Community in the Portland metropolitan tri-county region. Multnomah and Washington County applicants who are creating and sharing arts and culture programming in all disciplines could apply for support for projects or activities in the arts. The following 284 RACC Arts3C Grants were awarded in April 2024 for a total of $1,134,000

2023-24 RACC Arts3C Grant awards (Spring 2024 cycle):

Individual artists Working Title Primary Artistic Discipline  County Award
alexander abrazaldo Ambient Music for Randall Children’s Hospital  2024 Music Multnomah County $5,000
James Alby My Dark is Beautiful Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $2,000
Hope Amico Keep Writing project Archive update Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County $2,000
Samara Andre P-Town short film fest Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
Sasha Archibald Present Work at Université de Lille Literature Multnomah County $1,000
 Mark Arciaga Puerta Negra LP Music Multnomah County $5,000
Amanda Arroyo Tiny Gallery St. Johns Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $2,000
Liz Asch Greenhill Metaphor Medicine in Translation Media arts Multnomah County $2,000
Balamurali Balu World Music Ensemble Music Washington County $4,000
Zac Banik Creating an Educational and Community Space in SE PDX Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $4,000
Danielle Barker Career development Music Multnomah County $5,000
Barn Radio 2024 Q3/4 Operating Support Music Multnomah County $5,000
Kosmo Barnes The Others: A Tribute to Alternative Drag Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
Emma Barrow Other Plans (short film) Film/ Video Multnomah County $5,000
 Sara Behrman The Sea Hides A Seahorse Book Tour Literature Multnomah County $5,000
 Lauren Blair First Show at Good Bug Studio Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $4,000
 Matt Blairstone Cover Art and Illustrations for Tenebrous Press Projects – 2024 Literature Multnomah County $4,000
 jesse blanchard Lubbls Film/ Video Multnomah County $4,000
 Arielle Brackett Art Residency in Iceland Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $2,000
 Zoë Gamell Brown Creolese Curry Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
 Tommy Bruce Wild Night Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $4,000
Megan Buday (Baby LeStrange) Seasonal Delusions Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $3,000
 David Burrows instruments and equipment for music education Music Multnomah County $5,000
 Mary Denise Busch Tuition for DanceAbility Master Teacher Program Dance/ Movement Washington County $2,000
 erika callihan I’m Driving Here Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $2,000
Juracán Pierre Carbuccia Abbott juracán @ Latin Alternative Music Conference Music Multnomah County $2,000
 Ezra Carlsen Burnside Street Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $2,000
Shannon Carlson Murmurations and Other Living Clouds Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $3,000
Roxanne Castano Old Town Chinatown: A Creative Canvas Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
 David Celsi “Vortex I, A Biodegradable Festival Of The Arts.” a graphic novel by David Chelsea Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $4,000
 Shareina Chandler Barefaced Film/ Video Multnomah County $5,000
 G. Chesler Trans Lives during COVID-19 Film/ Video Multnomah County $5,000
 Robin Chilstrom Cullyville Stories Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County $4,000
 Srijon Chowdhury Exhibition support Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
 Lauren Cloughesy Introductory Handbuilding Ceramic Workshop Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $2,000
 Chantel Cook Oblique Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $3,000
 Twig Cosby Queer Cat 2024: An LGBTQIA+ Wood-Fire Weekend Experience Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
 Breesa Culver Line Time Media arts Multnomah County $3,000
 Fernanda D’Agostino Mar, Mar e Mar / Career development Media arts Multnomah County $5,000
 Syon Davis Land of Abundi: An ANTHROPODS Experiment Film/ Video Multnomah County $5,000
 Sam Dechenne Brass Band Project Music Multnomah County $4,000
 Brendan Deiz Doombia Vol. 2 Music Multnomah County $5,000
Jordan DeLawder Clearing Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $2,000
 Meg Denton Port Townsend School of Woodworking Building Course/Equipment for development: chisel set, hand router, drill and bits Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $3,000
 marquise dickerson Coquillage (Sea Shell) Music Multnomah County $5,000
 Mayada Dinno Multicultural Handmade Art Exhibit Visual arts (2D and 3D) Washington County $5,000
Alena Doe Selam Sunday Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $3,000
 Elsa Dougherty New Devised Work Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County $5,000
 Carolyn Hazel Drake Interactive Exhibition Catalog Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $2,000
 Merridawn Duckler That’s W.A.K! Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $2,000
 Emmeline Eao Practice Post Relaunch Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
 Noelle Eaton Bike Play Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County $5,000
 Michael Espinoza Super Fund Cruising Site Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
 Oliver Evangelista “FLIP: Filipinos Living In Portland” Film/ Video Multnomah County $4,000
 Ogochimere Ezendokwere Afrodance Experience Dance/ Movement Multnomah County $5,000
 Cassandra Ferguson Lost Bearings Press Collaboration with Nakemiah Williams Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $2,000
 Nick Fidelman Karaoke in Strange Places Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County $3,000
 Akila Fields multi-media music film with dance showcasing Portland Music Multnomah County $2,000
 Candace Fields LTMF Post-Production Film/ Video Multnomah County $5,000
 Marcelo Fontana Form.a 2024 Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
 Michael Fox Bee GDP, Capitalist’s Guide to Transportation Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $2,000
Pamela Fox NightBoat Presents Music Multnomah County $2,000
 tracy francis Oculus Anubis Multi-Discipline Washington County $4,000
 Ebenezer Galluzzo Landscape of Belonging (working title) Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $2,000
 Nick Gamer Nick Gamer 2024 Studio Album ‘Oregoner’ Music Multnomah County $4,000
 Ross Garlow Ross Garlow’s Big Water Music Multnomah County $4,000
Brian Garrison Science and Art in Orbit (Collisions Allowed) Literature Multnomah County $3,000
 Catherine Garvin Celestial Harp and Song Music Multnomah County $5,000
 Carolyn Gates Cascadia Drag Festival Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
 Rose Gerber Album recording Music Multnomah County $2,000
 Phoebe Gildea LIZZIE: The Musical Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County $4,000
Mini Giri Indigo Stories Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $2,000
 Kye Grant Planet Lloyd Newspaper Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County $5,000
 Marisa Grattan Dear Matafele Peinam Film/ Video Multnomah County $5,000
 Malini Gupta You Are Invited Visual arts (2D and 3D) Washington County $5,000
 Anastasiya Gutnik Windswept Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $4,000
Pamela Hadley Sensitive (solo show at Carnation Contemporary) Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
 Justin Hamacher Tidelands Traveling Theater Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County $3,000
 Wendy Hambidge Standing Together: Seeing and Being Seen Dance/ Movement Multnomah County $5,000
 Julie Hammond Hindsight 2020 Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County $5,000
 Jessica Harris equipment and tools for jewelry business Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $4,000
 Olivia Harwood Olivia Harwood’s Solo Exhibition at One Grand Gallery Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
 Erinn Kathryn Hatter In The Frail exhibition Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $4,000
 Dave Hedberg “The Seeds of Peace” documentary film edit and community feedback screening Film/ Video Multnomah County $4,000
 Emelia Hiltner Artist Residency and coursework at the International Ceramics Studio, Kecskemét, Hungary; and a written article to share the experience Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
 Lyndsay Hogland Once in A Lifetime: Dead People’s Sheets Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $1,000
 Zoe Huddleston Come Inside Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
 Nat Hulskamp Seffarine Crossroads Video Music Multnomah County $5,000
Hungry Mantis Bringing the Magic of VR to Young Adults Media arts Multnomah County $2,000
 Sara James Freestanding Aerial Rig Dance/ Movement Multnomah County $2,000
 Andrew Jones Mastering and vinyl pressing of sophomore album about biraciality as Berkley Music Multnomah County $5,000
 Leigh Jones Lucky (A Live Music Video) Music Multnomah County $4,000
 Travis Jones DJ events: Brunch Fest and One Night Only Music Multnomah County $4,000
 Marissa Kaiser Teal & Princess Film/ Video Multnomah County $4,000
 Prashant Kakad Mashup Monday’s Music Multnomah County $5,000
 Varun Kataria outsrc – migration anticipation generation Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County $3,000
 Chamisa Kellogg A Walk through Winter Wonderland Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
 Terrance Burton NE Portland multimedia music-recording studio for youth Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
 Michelle Kicherer “Sexy Life, Hello” Audiobook Production and Distribution Literature Multnomah County $3,000
 Julia Kim searching for 할머니 Visual arts (2D and 3D) Washington County $5,000
 Ricky King Tender Film/ Video Multnomah County $5,000
 michelle knight Professional development to learn how to create murals to engage the community Visual arts (2D and 3D) Washington County $1,000
 Pearson Kunz Spring Bloom Film/ Video Multnomah County $5,000
 Daelyn Lambi ILYth2: ILY2 Youth Arts Programming Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County $4,000
 Jamie Latham Microscopy and Art on a Queer Farm Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County $1,000
 S.A. Lawrence-Welch The Tradish.ish Consistency Project Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
 Jim Lommasson “What I Carry” (working title) Visual arts (2D and 3D) Washington County $4,000
Claire Lorenzo Shore Pines Album Music Multnomah County $3,000
 Ernest Lowe III Leaders of Men Film/ Video Multnomah County $4,000
 Marne Lucas ‘Bardo Project: Oregon’ Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
 Deanna Lucia Recontexturalize art historical paintings to represent contemporary climate change crisis Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $2,000
 Summer Luu Yellow Balloon Film/ Video Multnomah County $5,000
Gwyneth Manley Ceramics Kiln for StudioGwyneth Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $3,000
 Sarey Martin The Winemaker: A short film with big impact Film/ Video Multnomah County $5,000
 maximiliano martinez QUERUBINES obsidian/s Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
Will Matsuda Hibakujumoku Exhibition Preparation Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $2,000
Neil Mattson Trio Flux Adam Tribute Project Music Multnomah County $4,000
 Bridget McBride Crazy Like a Fox Podcast Media arts Multnomah County $5,000
 Kacy  McKinney Changing the Narrative: Arts-based research on homelessness and housing instability Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County $3,000
 kia metzler holden funding proposal for new inventory and display Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $2,000
 Christine Miller all de watermillion fr’m hebun Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
 Pam Minty Le Haricot Project: Production Phase Film/ Video Multnomah County $5,000
 Anis Mojgani Poems at sunset out a window Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
 Phoebe Mol World Egg Press: Publication and Launch Literature Multnomah County $4,000
 Eric Molina Los Mal Hablados debut album Music Multnomah County $5,000
 Jesse Morrow LP1 – MORROW Music Multnomah County $4,000
 Eleanor Nakayama MULTI:  Weaving Memories, Being Present, Dreaming Future Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $4,000
 KHEM NFN Painting Career Growth Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $2,000
Roman Norfleet Be Present Art Group Mini Docu Film on Black Improvisation in Portland Film/ Video Multnomah County $5,000
 Willow Norton Alabaster Community Project Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County $5,000
 Bea Yeh Ogden Hungry Ghost Festival Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County $2,000
 Jason Okamoto “My first name is Isao” Film/ Video Multnomah County $2,000
Morek Me’ch O’Rourke Purchase of a kiln Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
 ara oshin Writing workshop attendance Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County $1,000
 Zainab Outlaw Seers of the Savant Garde Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
 Edie Overturf Heavy Processing Artist Book and documentation Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $3,000
 Judith Pacheco-Lujano A Portland Black and Indigenous Artists Retreat Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
 Shana Palmer North View Gallery, solo exhibition Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
Cristian Paluso Smokey’s Film/ Video Multnomah County $4,000
 Jason Payton Art meets technology, expanding the possibilities with laser cut precision. Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $4,000
 Roger Peet 6065: Democracy and Dictatorship Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $3,000
 Yaara Perczek Album Release Performance Music Multnomah County $5,000
 Javier Perez Documentary for Academia Gabriela Film/ Video Washington County $5,000
 Marissa Perez Neighborhood Talent Show! Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County $2,000
 Darci Phenix The Finishing and Release of my Album Music Multnomah County $4,000
 Samantha Pinkerton PDX Songwriters Music Multnomah County $5,000
 Re Pinter No Name Comix Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $2,000
 Aedin Powell As Rare as I Am Film/ Video Multnomah County $5,000
 Shade Pratt Beneath the Surface Visual arts (2D and 3D) Washington County $5,000
 Harper Quinn Twin Window Editions Literature Multnomah County $3,000
 Jennifer Rabin Artist Residency Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $2,000
Jayanthi Raman Goddess Within Me Dance/ Movement Washington County $5,000
 Sweta Ravisankar Guru Vandana Dance/ Movement Washington County $5,000
 Kiah Raymond The Journey Through Three Worlds: A New Yiddish Folktale Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
 Daniel Reyes Llinás Belonging Music Multnomah County $5,000
 Jocelyn Rice Natures Embrace Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $3,000
 Erika Rier Attend the Illustration Conference in Minneapolis Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $2,000
 Morgan Ritter SPACE AVAILABLE Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $3,000
 hampton rodriguez Wildlife in Oregon Lotería “Oregon Wildlife Lotería” Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County $3,000
 Alicia Rose Girls  In Trouble TV Film/ Video Multnomah County $5,000
 Matthew Ross Into the Unknown – An Autobiographical Journey Through Stage 4 Cancer Film/ Video Multnomah County $5,000
Isabella Saavedra Studio Costs – Individual Artist Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $4,000
 Althea Sanford “Invisible Threads: Weaving Tales in the Absence of Proof” Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
 Julian Saporiti Hoyt Arboretum Sound Galleries Music Multnomah County $5,000
 Mandee Schroer Exhibition and Print Development Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
 Moni Sears Workspace for the Portland All Souls River Procession Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County $4,000
 Sharon Servilio Hyphae – group exhibition exploring ecological mysticism Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $3,000
 Vin Shambry Searching for York: Corps of Discovery Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County $5,000
Jen Shin Feasting on Words Literature Multnomah County $5,000
 Stepan Simek Veronica, in Bed – Live Performance Open Space Residency at Shaking the Tree Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County $5,000
 Shawnte Sims Hashtag Dad Life; A Look into Fatherhood Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
 Lindsey Snell Lost Wax Artwork and Community Courses Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $4,000
 Salomée Souag Residency Project Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County $4,000
 Savannah Steiner I Got Really Good At Being Alone Film/ Video Multnomah County $3,000
 Michael Stevenson Young Archivists Build A Living Archive Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
 Andrea Stolowitz Ireland and Jewishness Literature Multnomah County $5,000
 Kou Sugita Murida – Debut EP “Vectors” Music Washington County $3,000
 Jennifer Swanson Photo project Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $3,000
 Taravat Talepasand Funding for Residency Visual arts (2D and 3D) Washington County $4,000
 Sean Tarjyoto BridgeCast PDX Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $2,000
 Marianna Thielen This is What It’s For Music Multnomah County $5,000
 Helena Dupre Thompson Printing Expenses Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $3,000
 Lady Tournament Tournament.Haus presents: ROOMinate Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $2,000
 Shawn Trail Universal Music Design [The (visual) Album] Media arts Multnomah County $5,000
 Zoe Tricoche Kill Michael EP/ALBUM Music Multnomah County $4,000
 Carmi Tronci Bell GODHEAD: Budget for Guest Artists Media arts Multnomah County $4,000
 Leora Troper Nisim & The Toymaker Literature Multnomah County $4,000
 Jane Unger MINK RIVER Theatre/Musical Theatre Washington County $5,000
 Kelda Van Patten Bloom Flowers Lady Stock Images Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $4,000
 Patricia Vazquez Gomez Random Acts of Decommodification Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County $4,000
 Freddy Vilches Latinx and Afro Descendants Poetry and Music Music Multnomah County $5,000
 Tony Vilorio Puchica Cipote album Music Multnomah County $4,000
Elise Wahl Chalk the Grove: Interactive Art Play Series Multi-Discipline Washington County $1,000
 Heather Wertheimer “I Will Stand With You” Anti-Racism Video Project Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
 Aaron Wessling Year-Long Study of the Sandy River Delta Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $2,000
 John Whitten Material Traces Through a Digital Terrain: recent drawings by John Whitten Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $2,000
 Marquishia Winters Parable of the Plant: Tobacco Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
 Davis Wohlford Solo Immersive “Misfit Toys” Exhibition at X Gallery Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $2,000
 Valerie Yeo Homecoming: An AAPI Art Collective Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $3,000

 

Organizations Working Title Primary Artistic Discipline  County Award
Advance Gender Equity in the Arts ALP in ACTION Operating Funds Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County $5,000
Albina Music Trust Greaterkind Vinyl Album Production & Album Release Event Music Multnomah County $5,000
Aligned Artistry Music of the Birds – commission Music Multnomah County $5,000
All Classical Radio All Classical Radio Professional and Youth Artists in Residence Music Multnomah County $4,000
A-WOL Dance Collective Art in the Dark 2024 outdoor performances Dance/ Movement Multnomah County $4,000
Bach Cantata Choir Discovery Series Music Multnomah County $5,000
 Baylasan Botanicals Rooted In Resistance Media arts Multnomah County $5,000
Beaverton Symphony Orchestra 40th Anniversary Ruby Celebration Inaugural Community Concert Music Washington County $5,000
Big Mouth Society The Fruits of Our Labor Music Multnomah County $4,000
Black Food Sovereignty Coalition Beautifying Black Food Sovereignty Coalition’s Black Community and Business Resilience Hub Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
Borderline Press Book making exploration Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $2,000
Center for the Arts Foundation Music Monday and Wednesday Music in the Parks Spring 2024 Music Multnomah County $5,000
Clay St. Studios Studio Saturdays at Clay St. Studios Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
COCOLAB Design Stay ON the Grass (V3.0) Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
Couch Film Collective Catalyst Film Collective- Operating Support, Rise screening Film / Video Multnomah County $5,000
Curbside Serenade Curbside Serenade Summer Series at Laurelhurst Park Music Multnomah County $5,000
The Curiosity Paradox Dis/Rep Embodiment Series Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County $5,000
Defense Fund PDX Abolitionist Exhibition 2025 Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
Elbow Room Elbow Room Collaborative Arts Workshops Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
en Taiko Spring Concert 2024 Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
EXT. 606 TMS 60.6 FM Media arts Multnomah County $5,000
Extradition Ensemble Extradition Plays Goldstein Music Multnomah County $3,000
Fear No Music Fear No Music concert and DeMystifying New Music series Music Multnomah County $5,000
Fine Art Starts! Digital Art Program Multi-Discipline Washington County $5,000
Fonograf Editions Low: Notes on Art & Trash Literature Multnomah County $5,000
Freakybuttrue Peculiarium Peculiarium Museum Relocation and Upgrade Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $2,000
Friends of Sellwood Community House Make Music, Build Community Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $3,000
Gather:Make:Shelter GMS Mullowney Print Project and Exhibition Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
Graphic Arts Center Woven Editions Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $4,000
The Healing Underground Healing Through Art – BIPOC Community Art Nights Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County $5,000
Hellenic-American Cultural Center & Museum of Oregon and SW Washington HACCM audio tour and collection guides Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $2,000
Hillsboro Tuesday Marketplace, Inc AAPI Night Visual arts (2D and 3D) Washington County $2,000
Honeybee Films The Harvest Widow Documentary Film Film/ Video Multnomah County $5,000
Immutable Studio The Immutable Studio – Space Media arts Multnomah County $5,000
IN A LANDSCAPE IN A LANDSCAPE: Washington Park Amphitheater Rose Garden Concerts Music Multnomah County $5,000
In Mulieribus IM Educational Artist Residency Program Music Multnomah County $4,000
Jazz Society of Oregon 44th Annual Cathedral Park Jazz Festival Music Multnomah County $5,000
Kickstand Comedy Comedy in the Park 2024 Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County $5,000
Kind Heart Arts Mental Health & Crafts for Parents and Caregivers Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $3,000
Leaven Community Arts “Collab” at Leaven Community Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $3,000
Lent Elementary PTA Lent Elementary Playground Mural Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $4,000
Many Hats Collaboration The Hatchery New Play Incubator Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County $5,000
Meals on Wheels People MOWP Cultural Outreach Project Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
MetroEast Community Media Food Foray Film / Video Multnomah County $5,000
Misfit Academy Recovery Effort For The Steep and Thorny Way to Heaven Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
Montavilla Jazz Montavilla Jazz supports Vestal Social Justice Night Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County $5,000
Mount Tabor Dance Community Mount Tabor Dance Community Early Season Dances Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
Multnomah Arts Center Association Funding for Auditorium LED Follow Spot Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County $4,000
New Moon Productions Drama Literacy Program Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County $2,000
Native American Youth and Family Center 12th Annual Neerchokikoo Powwow Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
New Room Studios A Kitty Can Prevent Suicide Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County $5,000
New Wave Opera Family Friendly Contemporary Chamber Opera Music Multnomah County $4,000
New Year in the Park 2024 New Year in the Park Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
Nomadic Theatre CO The Nomadic Ambassadors of Joy Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County $5,000
North Pole Studio 2025 Outsider Art Fair Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
Next Up Youth Music Festival Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $3,000
Ode, LLC Operational funding for the sustainability of our Artist Residency program and Makers Markets. Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
Open Space “dust.” Dance/ Movement Multnomah County $4,000
Overlook Neighborhood Association 3rd Annual Overlook Porchfest Music Multnomah County $1,000
Portland Actors Conservatory Youth Outreach Program Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County $4,000
Portland Area Theatre Alliance Fertile Ground Festival Venue Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County $4,000
Portland Chamber Orchestra Marketing Investment in PCO Music Multnomah County $5,000
Portland Dance Film Fest 8th Annual Portland Dance Film Fest Dance/ Movement Multnomah County $5,000
Portland Fire Fighters Charitable Fund Inc. Portland Fire Fighters Pipes and Drums Spring 2024 Music Multnomah County $5,000
Portland Indigenous Marketplace IndigenoUS Art Installation Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble PJCE at 2024 Montavilla Jazz Festival Music Multnomah County $2,000
Portland Latin American Film Festival XVIII PORTLAND LATIN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL Film/ Video Multnomah County $5,000
Portland Mornings Portland Creates: A Podcast Media arts Multnomah County $5,000
Portland SummerFest OPERA IN THE PARK presents “La Traviata” at Peninsula Park, Summer 2024 Music Multnomah County $5,000
Portland Symphonic Choir Summer Sings – Free Concert Series and Recording Project Music Multnomah County $5,000
Portland Wind Symphony Portland Wind Symphony 2024 concert season operating support Music Multnomah County $3,000
Reynolds School District Purchase of Dance Mirrors Dance/ Movement Multnomah County $4,000
Rock Dojo “Elijah & the Sacred Song” Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County $5,000
Sabin CDC Sabin CDC Art and Wellness Event Series Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
Somali Cultural Museum of Oregon Somali Cultural Heritage Showcase: Preserving and Sharing Our Rich Legacy Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
SRC Community Consulting, LLC Music at the Market Music Multnomah County $5,000
Steps for Youth Bloom Spring Student Performance Dance/ Movement Multnomah County $4,000
T & A Grand Theater and Media Ten, Tiny, Talks Artist in Residency and Film Festival (rebranding as Tauraro Festival and Residency) Film/ Video Washington County $5,000
Takohachi Tsugaru Shamisen Concert with Shionobue Bamboo Flute and Taiko Music Multnomah County $2,000
Variable West Variable West Art and Ecology Symposium Literature Multnomah County $5,000
Venezuela’s Voice in Oregon Cultural Afternoon with Venezuela- Fiesta 10th Anniversary Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $3,000
Westside Community & Youth Orchestra WCYO: Student + Adult Orchestral Concert with High School Choir Music Washington County $3,000
Waterstone Gallery Operating expenses Visual arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
Whet, LLC Whet Studio Improvements and Community Development Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
Women In Film-Portland WIF-PDX Educate & Incubate program Film / Video Multnomah County $2,000

2023-24 RACC Arts3C Grants (Fall 2023 cycle)

The RACC Arts3C Grant Program is for the Creation, Cultivation & Community in the Portland metropolitan tri-county region. Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas County applicants who are creating and sharing arts and culture programming in all disciplines could apply for support for projects or activities in the arts. The following 253 RACC Arts3C Grants were awarded in December 2023 for a total of $978,000.

2023-24 RACC Arts3C Grant awards (Fall 2023 cycle):

Individual artists Working Title Primary Artistic Discipline  County Award
 Matthew Abadi [glass work exhibition] Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Stephanie Adams-Santos The Mollusk and Other Weird Tales Literature Washington County  $    5,000
 Ricardo Alvarado MAIZ Film/Video Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Jonas Angelet A Beat Happening – 7 Year Anniversary Concert Music Multnomah County  $    3,000
 Raphael Arar [solo exhibition at Carnation Contemporary] Media Arts Multnomah County  $    1,000
 Ashlin Aronin The Gift Media Arts Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Mia Arvizu Plant Medicine Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    3,000
 Elizabeth Arzani From Garage to Ceramic Studio Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    4,000
 carlos baca PopCartPDX gear Multi-Discipline Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Onyx Baird Amrita Film/Video Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Hannah Bakken Morris Satur – New Photogravure and Sculpture Works Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Jonathan Barcan Tomorrow May Not Be Like Today Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    3,000
 Claire Barrera future gestures Dance/Movement Multnomah County  $    5,000
 ilish bath Everywhen Multi-Discipline Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Palani Bearghost Morning Star Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Alexandra Behr Grief Stick Multi-Discipline Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Maryka Biaggio Awakened From the Dream of Life: A Novel Based on the True Story of the Woman Who Took Down a KKK Grand Dragon Literature Washington County  $    4,000
 RaShaunda Brooks & Here We Are – Proof of Concept Film/Video Multnomah County  $    5,000
 James Bullock Growing Pains Multi-Discipline Multnomah County  $    3,000
 Alex Callenberger Ambient Vol 1 Music Multnomah County  $    3,000
 Kimo Camat Kiki’s Delivery Service of Love Songs and Heartbreak Music Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Joyce Campbell Creative Studio and Community Space Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    2,000
 May Maylisa Cat [Fok Fok Industries] Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Sabrina Cerquera DJ LAFLOR – Equipment Purchase for Further Artistic Development Music Multnomah County  $    3,000
 Suzanne  Chi Still Moving Dance/Movement Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Megan Chin [Anticapitalism for Artists book club] Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Gabriele Chodosh Finite Film/Video Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Jax Chow How Portland Artists Work-A Visual Zine Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    5,000
Victoria Christen Exhibition : University of Portland: Covert Gallery, Spring 2024 Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    3,000
 Steven Christiansen Everybody Rides, Everybody Reads Literature Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Merideth Clark Siren Songs | Seasons Concert Series – 2024 Music Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Amaranta  Colindres Murals for Working Women of Color Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Licity Collins One Death in Seven Doorways: A New Spoken-Sung Opera (Composing Phase) Multi-Discipline Multnomah County  $    5,000
Epiphany Couch Let Your Ancestors Dress You at MASS MoCA Residency Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Jana Crenshaw “The Song You Heard” community performance, livestream, and podcast Music Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Callie Day Tinker Labs Music Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Lauren Day Tiny’s Mural Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Heldáy de la Cruz Provecho Magazine Issue 02 Literature Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Maria DeHart Bug Seance’s First Full Album Music Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Francesca DeMusz Oracle Roach Ceramics Studio Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Wyndi Desouza [studio space] Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Meera Duncan Sahira Loves Big Installation Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Hayley Durelle Walla Walla Feature Screenplay Film/Video Multnomah County  $    5,000
 kowkie durst “Exhibition: Ceramics Faculty – Past and Present”, Covert Gallery, University of Portland Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Elisabeth Ellison Doe Records Music Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Joseph Erikson Class Wars Film/Video Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Izzy Fawson [Workshops on the history of struggle of the Filipino people] Socially-Engaged Art Washington County  $    5,000
 Devin Jane Febbroriello Color Theories film finishing and distro funds Film/Video Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Andrew Fort HOCUS Fifth Anniversary Event and Publication Literature Multnomah County  $    1,000
 Joanie Fox Beatlore Film/Video Multnomah County  $    5,000
 J$Fur [album and zine] Multi-Discipline Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Jonathan Garcia [short film about suicide prevention focused on the Latinx community] Film/Video Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Lonnie Garcia The Mall Rats Cartoonist Collective Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Julia Gaskill The Bigfoot Poetry Festival 2024 Literature Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Julie Gebron Audio Description Access for Live Events Multnomah County  $    3,000
 Anaïs  Genevieve Nonbinary Girlfriend Music Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Alessandra Genovese Bableton- Ableton for Babes! Music Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Bean Gilsdorf Wassaic Project Residency 2024 Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Joeanally Gonzalez Vidas Extraordinarias: Tapices de Historias de Inmigrantes a través del Arte (“Extraordinary Lives: Tapestries of Immigrant Stories through Art”) Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Pablo Gonzalez Hot Winter Collection Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Miranda Gorski Crystal Canopy premier album and live release show Music Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Elizabeth Haidle Existential Mushroom Comics Literature Multnomah County  $    2,000
 MJ Halberstadt The Usual Unusual reading Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Jacque Hammond In My Own Image Film/Video Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Dylan Hankins REM Cycle Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Rachael Harms Mahlandt PDX Sidewalk Joy Art, Outreach, and Programming Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Thorn Hartspring Debut album recording and distribution Music Multnomah County  $    3,000
 Courtney Hermann Outliers and Outlaws Film/Video Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Molly Herro Lovejoy Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Maryanna Hollomon Mid-Career exploration & advancement Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Anthony Hudson 2nd Annual Portland Drag Theatre Workshop Multi-Discipline Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Carlyn Hudson Women Choreographers of the Pacific Northwest Dance/Movement Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Joshua Huff Joshua Josue – Chicano/Americana Heritage Music Project Music Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Yiillus Youki Iimori Career Development through Mentorship Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    1,000
 Diane Jacobs Ceramic Art Residency at Township 10 in North Carolina Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Tallon Jakson Yamatala Film/Video Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Katie Janovec Portland Popping Project Dance/Movement Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Linda K Johnson Portland Dance History and Lineage Podcast Dance/Movement Multnomah County  $    3,000
 Emma Josephson Sew into You Film/Video Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Andee Joyce Rhythm and Autism Theatre/Musical Theatre Washington County  $    1,000
 Emily Kepulis Falling Water and Other Landscapes Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Lara Kim Portland Furry Artist Residency Folk Arts/Cultural Arts Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Janna Kimel Chronic Pain Project Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Eleanor Klock Executive Amateur Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    1,000
 S Alexandra  Kudroff Creature Party EP Music Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Erin LaCerra Fostering Artistic Empowerment and Community Connection Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Limei Lai Life We Made, Letter We Wrote Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    5,000
 kim lakin PDX Red Wall Project Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    3,000
 Ayana Lance Risograph purchase and photography zine Multi-Discipline Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Michael  Larson Humanizing Portland Film/Video Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Matthew Laurents Solo exhibition of ceramic works Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Horatio Law Serenading the Departed Multi-Discipline Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Joshua Le About Face – Album from Letjoux Music Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Jenna Lechner Insects of the Pacific Northwest  – an ABC guide Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Catherine Lee To work with Substrate Arts Consulting Music Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Fritz Liedtke Embodying Chronic Illness Multi-Discipline Washington County  $    4,000
 Erik M.G. Fox In Glances Film/Video Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Kelly Madden Spring 2024 Fashion Collection Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Brenda Mallory Career legacy and studio archiving Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Bon Malten Explorations in Printmaking Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Nay Mapalo Providing Low Cost Studio Recording, Mixing, and Workshops Music Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Rebecca Marrall Comics Cottage Literature Multnomah County  $    1,000
 rubén garcía marrufo Heaven’s Proxy Media Arts Multnomah County  $    5,000
 M. Martinez Soy Yo Multi-Discipline Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Faustina Masigat Home, Like a Wide Open Heart Multi-Discipline Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Corrine Matlak A Transcendental Experience Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Cambria Matlow Why Dig When You Can Pluck Film/Video Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Cameron McCafferty Baptism in the Mud Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Ivan McClellan Eight Seconds Film/Video Multnomah County  $    5,000
 aiyana monae mcclinton studio support Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Bri-Skye McKizzie Stay Litt’s Obsidian Stars: A Variety Show and Dance Party Multi-Discipline Washington County  $    2,000
 Alejandro Mercado Siegert Piña Mal Pelada Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    3,000
 Katherine Mergens Sensing / Gorge Multi-Discipline Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Jacob Miller LP3 – Jacob Miller Music Multnomah County  $    4,000
 serena milne Dye studio Folk Arts/Cultural Arts Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Nicholas Moler-Gallardo Career development project Multi-Discipline Multnomah County  $    1,000
 Todd Molinari after / time collective gallery – Exhibitions and Programming Multi-Discipline Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Bebe Montoya CTRL C/V: a queer femme-centered EP Music Multnomah County  $    3,000
 Mazey Moon The New Critique School Media Arts Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Caroline Moore Artist talks Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Elise Morris JamBallah NW 2024 Dance/Movement Washington County  $    5,000
 Jeanette Muibi Empowered By Jeanette Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Russ Musser Summer Solstice at Dreamfields Farm Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Gaylord Ndungu Studio Time – A community arts project Film/Video Multnomah County  $    3,000
 Sol Neelman Weird Sports Exhibition at Blue Sky Gallery Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Jenny Ng The Withdrawal – a short film Film/Video Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Aja Ngo Mosaic apprenteship with  Fernando Bekir, Argentina Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Celeste Noche Every Morning You Greet Me Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Christian Orellana Bauer ¿Imataq Sutiy? // What Is My Name? Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Matthew Packwood Oregon Origins Project IV: Convergence Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Andrew Paiko Moving Glass Towards a Sustainable Future Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Brian Parker The Things We Miss_Anthology of Magic in the Everyday Literature Washington County  $    5,000
 marvin parra A Small Prayer Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Anthony Parrish Time Travel 444 Collective Development Multi-Discipline Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Eduardo Perez Emerging Art Residency Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Krystal Pérez Nostalgia: A Safe Space Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Jennifer Perrine Beautiful Outlaw Literature Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Nicholas Peterson Rose City Park Film/Video Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Kerry Politzer The Driveway Jazz Series – Summer 2024 Music Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Emilly Prado “Outlines on View,” a multimedia art project Multi-Discipline Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Nathaniel Praska Blinking Stupidly Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    1,000
 Katie Prentiss Wake Up Maggie Film/Video Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Alyson Provax I’m worried that I’m alone in this feeling (working title) Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    3,000
 Ines Paulina Ramirez  Valdiviezo BRIGHT TEMPO Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Ari Rapkin Transatlantacism: A Circus Tribute Dance/Movement Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Jesse Rawlins LUME FEST Multi-Discipline Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Agata Rek Expansion of practice through equipment acquisition Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Daniela Repas [multimedia drawing installation] Multi-Discipline Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Michael Roberson Torpor Film/Video Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Anthony Roberto Object/Model, Figure/Form Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    3,000
 Lilith Rockett Kazegama Kiln Build and Firing Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Anna Rogers Physical disability equipment purchase for mural projects Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    3,000
 Morgan Rosskopf Stillness is the Move Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    3,000
 Zeinab Saab Framework for Framing Work Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Asia Safriwe Umi’s house Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Jonathan Salimes Real People Film/Video Multnomah County  $    1,000
 Maile Sand Leveling Up for Future Art Festivals Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Houshang  Sedighi Kurdish Dance teaching and performing Folk Arts/Cultural Arts Washington County  $    5,000
 Michael Shymanski Frontera volume 4: Phantoms // Fantasmas Literature Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Xara Silva Mestiza Film/Video Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Marjorie Skinner Portland Fashion in the ’00s Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Eloise Smith Perennial Dance/Movement Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Rory Sparks Food Art Practice Residency Multi-Discipline Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Victoria Spelman Intimacy Director Certification Program Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Christopher Spivery [graphic novel and ‘The great shame reframe experiment’] Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Stephanie Starnes Ambient Healing Album Music Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Brett Stern Better Setter tile setter Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Teddy Stjarne Whatsits Goods + Sundries Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Hank Stowers Maritime Air 3: a Queer Ski Film Film/Video Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Adam Sweeney Plums For Months: Memories of a Wonder-Filled Neurodivergent Childhood Film/Video Multnomah County  $    2,000
 Pace Taylor Custom framing opportunity Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    3,000
 Paige Thomas Individual with Instructions Multi-Discipline Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Mia Truman Sam’s 21st Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County  $    3,000
 Mike Truong All The Homies Magazine Film/Video Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Orquidia Velasquez Near and Far Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    3,000
 Audrey Voon Heartsong: A Galentine’s Soul Sing Music Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Mike Vos MASS MoCA Artist Residency and Book Launch Exhibition Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    4,000
 RIOA wa RIOE [multimedia project featuring work by at-risk and unhoused youth] Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Kiara Walls Kitchen Screening and Exhibition Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County  $    3,000
 Ezra Weiss The Golem’s Gift Theatre/Musical Theatre Washington County  $    2,000
 Sarah Wentz Time after Time Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    1,000
 Isla-June Whitaker Something Good Will Find Us Multi-Discipline Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Amy Wike [operations and development support for design and illustration practice] Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    2,000
 kelly williams Ireland residency Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Nicole Williford Vermont Studio Center residency Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Jennifer Wright Break to Build 2 Multi-Discipline Multnomah County  $    4,000
 Lynn Yarne Grandma Skillshare Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County  $    5,000
 Phyllis Yes At Home – early 70’s Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    1,000
 kate zipse Children’s Illustration – Professional development & portfolio showcase Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County  $    2,000

 

Organizations Working Title Primary Artistic Discipline  County Award
45th Parallel Sound Investment Music Multnomah County $5,000
Alberta Rose Theatre 2nd Annual International Booklover’s Burlesque Festival Dance/Movement Multnomah County $5,000
All Saints Episcopal Church Neighbors Helping Neighbors Mural Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
Ambiguous Animals, LLC Death’s Door Film/Video Multnomah County $5,000
AUGURY HOUSE Heavy Light: A Hei Tu Story Film/Video Washington County $5,000
Bedrock Theatre Hibernate [Working Title] Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County $5,000
Berm BERM Magazine Issue #5 – Joy Literature Multnomah County $5,000
Brave Atlas Brave Atlas Etching Studio Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $4,000
Bridging Voices LGBTQ+ and allied youth chorus operating support Music Multnomah County $3,000
Building Five The Ground Beneath Us Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
Carnation Contemporary LLC Carnation Contemporary and SOIL Collaboration Exchange Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
Cascadia Arts Association Troutdale Arts Festival Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
Cathedral Park Performing Arts Collective CPPAC Intergenerational Program Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
Classical Up Close 2024 Spring Music Festival Music Washington County $5,000
congruency dance collective congruency dance collective presents : spectra Dance/Movement Multnomah County $5,000
Crave Theatre Company Accessible Arts Education Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County $5,000
Dance United All-Ages Holi Celebration Folk Arts/Cultural Arts Multnomah County $5,000
East Portland Collective Historic Lents Placemaking Mural by East Portland Collective & Alex Chiu Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
Eastside Jewish Commons Indie Lens Pop Up Film/Video Multnomah County $2,000
Flight 64 Studio Studio improvements Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $2,000
Forest Grove High School Band Program Music Washington County $1,000
Friends of Saturday Academy Experiential art residencies for K-12 students Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
Gresham Japanese Garden Illuminating Gresham Japanese Garden Folk Arts/Cultural Arts Multnomah County $5,000
Hillsboro Artists’ Regional Theatre Lighting Upgrades 2024 Theatre/Musical Theatre Washington County $2,000
In Medio Sing, My Child Music Multnomah County $5,000
India Cultural Association India Festival Multi-Discipline Washington County $5,000
LineStorm Playwrights LineStorm Playwrights Bi-Monthly Reading Series and LineStorm Playwrights Fertile Ground Lunchtime Reading Series Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County $5,000
Lovegood Performing Arts Company Neurodivergent Training Theatre/Musical Theatre Washington County $1,000
Make Music Day PDX, Inc. Make Music Day PDX Music Multnomah County $2,000
Marcescence Magazine LLC Marcescence Magazine First Issue Production Literature Multnomah County $3,000
Medicine Bear Native American Spiritual Encampment Latino Network Art of the Ancestors Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
Municipal Eco Resiliency Project Food Sovereignty Media Series – Music Video Music Multnomah County $5,000
On the Inside On the Inside: Building Community and Breaking Down Walls Through Storytelling Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County $5,000
Oregon Arts Watch Expanded Stage & Studio Podcast Media Arts Multnomah County $5,000
Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education The Burned Piano Project: Finding Music In the Deafening Noise of Hatred Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County $5,000
Performance Works NorthWest Alembic Artist Residency and Performance Dance/Movement Multnomah County $3,000
Peruvian Cultural Festival And Events ReinventArte Folk Arts/Cultural Arts Washington County $5,000
Play It Forward Cultivate Creative Children Music Washington County $5,000
Portland Child Art Studio [free classes for Vibrant! Building residents] Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
Portland Community College Foundation Refractions: A Time-Based Art Screening Series Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
Portland in Color Annual Operations Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County $5,000
Portland Lesbian Choir Love Who You Love June 2024 Music Multnomah County $5,000
Portland Oregon Women’s Film Festival POWGirls Workshops & Screening – 2024 Film/Video Multnomah County $5,000
Prismagic LLC Heaven’s Kitchen Dance/Movement Multnomah County $5,000
QDoc: Portland Queer Documentary Film Festival QDoc Film Fest / Portland’s LGBTQ+ Documentary Film Festival 2023 Film/Video Multnomah County $5,000
Renegade Opera Renegade Opera’s 2024 Artists in Conversation Festival Music Multnomah County $5,000
Risk/Reward 2024 General Operating Support Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
NitAl Consulting Service, Inc Art for happiness Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Washington County $2,000
Secret Room Press Secret Room Press Pop-Up Gallery & Shop Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $4,000
Stage Fright Stage Fright Festival 2024 Theatre/Musical Theatre Multnomah County $5,000
STAGES Youth Academy Support for new Artistic Director of STAGES Youth Academy Theatre/Musical Theatre Washington County $5,000
Studio Metropolis Inc [Queer-coded Graphic Novel- Alice in Wonderland retelling] Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County $4,000
Sweetbriar Elementary Drums Alive for Elementary Students Music Multnomah County $4,000
The Arc Portland Metro Club Mosaic, an Art Pilot Project for Adults Who Experience IDD Socially-Engaged Art Multnomah County $5,000
The Rockwood Center Sound and Lights for Community Event Spaces Folk Arts/Cultural Arts Multnomah County $5,000
Transformative Living Community, International BIPOC Family Camping & Arts Retreat, 2024 Visual Arts (2D and 3D) Multnomah County $5,000
Unlock the Arts Inc [expressive writing workshop at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility] Literature Multnomah County $5,000
Portland Winter Light Festival Light Festival Artistic Leadership Team Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $5,000
Willowbrook Center for the Development of Human Potential Willowbrook All Year – Expanding Creativity Multi-Discipline Washington County $5,000
Wonderfolk Unity Through Arts – Portland Youth Video Yearbook Film/Video Multnomah County $5,000
Woodland Sung Productions Beaver State Film/Video Multnomah County $5,000
XRAY.FM Securing Permanent Broadcast Access for Local, Underrepresented Voices Media Arts Multnomah County $5,000
Young People’s Theatre Project, Inc Summer Performing Arts Camp Theatre/Musical Theatre Washington County $5,000
ZENA ZEZZA sidony o’neal and Derek Franklin exhibition and events Multi-Discipline Multnomah County $3,000

RACC Grantee North Pole Studio Recount their Experience at the Outsider Art Fair

In the spring of 2020, North Pole Studio emerged as a testament to creative inclusion and artistic empowerment. In June of 2023, I spoke with Sula Willson about the organization and their recent experience at the Outsider Art Fair in New York City, a trip made possible through a Regional Arts & Culture Council Arts3C grant. Co-founded by a dedicated group of artists, educators, and advocates — Sula Willson, Mary Ellen Andersen, Davis Wohlford, Sarah Mensah — the organization serves as a robust platform supporting careers in the arts, particularly for artists with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities. As Willson shared in our conversation, “…we decided to open North Pole Studio as another option for folks who needed a creative space that was intentionally smaller, intentionally quieter, and highly individualized.” 

A large, colorful artwork filled with bold lines and abstract shapes sits on a wall. Below it, a comfy looking couch. On the adjacent wall sit five smaller artworks of varying size.

Housed in NW Marine Artworks, Portland’s largest collaborative of professional artist studios, North Pole Studio is more than a 1,200 sq/ft space for creation: it embodies the belief that understanding diverse human experiences is foundational to a vibrant and whole community. With an unwavering commitment to fostering self-determination and facilitating meaningful connections, the organization ensures that its artists thrive as visible contributors to both local and national contemporary art communities. “We always say that the space belongs to the artists… and we are here to facilitate whatever artists come to create and pursue,” says Willson, encapsulating the mission of North Pole Studio and its focused approach. 

In a vertical line, three small paintings on cardboard sit on a wall. Each depict colorful, costumed, faceless figures. To the right and left are more gestural and abstract framed works. A potted plant peeks into the left side of the image.

Communication is central at North Pole Studio, bridging gaps and enabling artists to navigate opportunities and employment within the art world and beyond. Willson explains, “…we scaffold communication in a lot of different ways, but we use a lot of social stories, visual supports,” tailoring contracts or other documents that may be inaccessible to individual artists. Collaboratively, unique strategies are crafted for each artist. For some artists like James Enos, the studio acts as the primary liaison with his book dealer. For others, like Austin Brague, guidance is provided as he applies for opportunities independently.  The need for spaces like this studio is great, as evidenced by North Pole Studio’s rapid growth. As the organization begins to tackle questions of growth and scalability, one thing is clear: at North Pole Studio, the individual needs of the artists will always take center stage. 

As with many arts nonprofits, the challenging landscape of funding underscores their mission. In an endeavor to make their workshops more accessible, the studio has introduced a sliding scale fee for all programs, which in turn amplifies the need for more robust external funding. Despite this terrain, the determination of Willson, Andersen, and the myriad collaborators that allow the space to run smoothly, remains unwavering. What keeps them going is their recognition of the transformative influence that this support and advocacy has on artists’ lives. Willson describes, “having someone recognize that you are capable of something bigger than you thought… is empowering within itself.” 


In our conversation, Willson highlighted North Pole Studio’s core belief of fostering individual growth and opening doors to opportunities for artists with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities. Their commitment to this mission was brought to life when they attended the Outsider Art Fair in New York City, made possible through funding from RACC. This experience served as both an enriching platform for their artists and a milestone in the studio’s journey. Now, to truly capture the experience, let’s turn to the team at North Pole Studio, who share below their firsthand reflections and insights from the fair: 


In March 2022, RAAC awarded an Arts3C grant that made it possible for North Pole Studio to represent three artists at the highly competitive Outsider Art Fair in New York City. This eye-opening and career-changing exhibition opportunity would not have been possible without RACC’s funding, and we are deeply grateful for the support. The fair was a true whirlwind — an enriching, educational, challenging, colorful experience that provided a valuable new perspective for our staff, artists, and their advocates, family members, and community members.

The Outsider Art Fair is the largest exhibition of self-taught artists in the world. It occurs biannually in Paris and New York, and is internationally attended by exhibitors, visitors, and patrons alike. “Outsider Art” or art brut (raw art) historically describes artists who are creating outside of educational institutions and traditional techniques, or those without exposure to (whether intentional or not) or influence from popular art culture and trends. Aesthetically and philosophically, this work has a rawness to it — and is valued for its pure, expressive, seemingly unselfconscious quality which captures the artists’ completely original experience.A scanned piece of paper filled with pink and red handwriting.

Some of the most renowned “Outsider” artists include Bill Traylor, who was born into slavery and began creating art in his eighties; Martín Ramírez, a railway worker who was institutionalized with schizophrenia in his later life; and Judith Scott, a deaf woman with Down’s Syndrome who discovered her creative voice in a supported art studio. In the contemporary art world, the “Outsider Art” movement has broadened significantly, encompassing a diverse community of artists both dead and living. Today, the commonality among artists represented at the fair is that they are entirely self-taught, and are creating extraordinary artwork in a style and technique that is completely their own. 

As the field has evolved, the term “Outsider” itself has become controversial. Many of the artists represented at the fair are from marginalized communities, including artists that are low-income, disabled, and BIPOC with many intersections in between. North Pole Studio is intentionally embedded inside the professional arts community. Our location is a strategic choice to combat the isolation and access barriers that artists with disabilities continue to face in their communities. While almost all of the artists we serve are entirely self-taught, the desire to identify as an “Outsider” in the art world varies from artist-to-artist and is rejected by many.

North Pole Studio is part of a nationwide movement of progressive art studios who are working to amplify the voices and work of artists with disabilities. The energy of this movement is vibrant, and very much alive at the fair. Using these funds from RACC, we were so proud to represent artists Austin Brague, Dan Tran, and James Enos. Our highlight by far was having Austin and Dan join us in New York City to represent their work firsthand. Austin worked on his submission for over a year — a large scale pen and ink drawing of New York City — which he triumphantly sold at the fair, breaking many New Yorker hearts. Artist James Enos is co-represented by Booklyn, Inc. and this was his second appearance at the fair. He also sold an original work on the first day. James’ work truly stands out at the fair, as he is among a minority of artists working in book form and has developed an unparalleled binding technique, which includes large-scale illustrations which can fold out over 5 feet long. Dan Tran is a rising star in the progressive art world, and it was our pleasure to make face-to-face introductions to fans from all over the country who continue to follow his work.

Austin shared that he had no idea that he was part of such a vast community of self-taught and disabled artists. He was “blown away by the creativity, how vast the collection of work is…[he] had no idea.” Selling work at this level made him realize that success as a professional artist is in reach, and it has motivated him to focus his art practice and dream bigger moving forward. Prior to joining North Pole Studio, many of the artists we serve were creating work in isolation, with little access to resources and exposure. Beyond the art sales and professional connections, the community aspect was perhaps the most powerful impact of our experience at the Outsider Art Fair — the sense of place and connection with an international community of self-taught artists who are valued as professionals, and core contributors to art history and contemporary art. 

We learned so much, and returned to Portland with valuable insights to share with North Pole Studio’s community, and Portland’s art community at large. We can’t wait to go back!


To learn more about North Pole Studio, please visit their website. They are currently seeking new artists to join their Main Studio Program this year. If you or someone you know is seeking supported studio space and looking to connect with a community of artists, they’d love to hear from you!

Image Captions, from top to bottom: A glimpse inside of North Pole Studio’s cozy, art-filled space. Detail of various artworks hung on the studio wall. Work by James Enos, Writing


RACC completes our 2023 Fiscal Year with record number of grant awards investing in our creative community

The Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) is pleased to announce the distribution of substantial funds made between July 2022 and June 2023, totaling over $7.8 million, to support individual artists, arts organizations, and many art projects across the tri-county region. Grant funding is made possible by public investment and partnership from the City of Portland, Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington Counties, Metro, and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). RACC grants are awarded through competitive programs, primarily General Operating Support (GOS) and the new Arts3C Grant, that engage with Community Reviewers in the decision making process. These evolving grant programs are a testament to RACC’s commitment to foster a vibrant arts community and ensure equitable access to artistic experiences for all residents

Our ability to strategically ensure that our community continues to be centered as we navigate the changes brought about by the recent pandemic and social justice and equity initiatives is informed by our community, who holds us accountable, and who can see and experience the returns on their investment in RACC. These funds are from community, for community. We are grateful stewards and leaders ensuring an equitable process and program. Our private/public partnerships with our local, state, and national governments are the bedrock for these opportunities. Our success relies on thoughtful collaboration and transparency in our processes,” Carol Tatch, RACC’s Chief for External Operations.

This past years’ increased number of applicants reflect the growth in creative activity and the expanding needs of art producers. Over 60 artists, arts administrators, and arts board members reviewed applications, participated on panels, and contributed to the work in making the record number of grant awards. Four arts organizations, Alberta Abbey Foundation, Caldera, Lan Su Chinese Garden, and Resonance Vocal Ensemble, were accepted into the General Operating Support program partnership, bringing the total number of groups that receive ongoing unrestricted grant support up to 70. A list of all GOS organizations and their award amounts is available online at racc.org/ grants/grant-awards/.

Most notably, in two cycles of Arts3C grants in the last year, RACC received a total of 1100 eligible applications and awarded $1,735,000 to 452 unique recipients. RACC received 856 eligible applications and awarded $1,143,000 to 385 unique recipients in the comparable program in FY22. This ongoing growth in arts activities and interest in public grant support follows a trend that RACC has been tracking since before the pandemic.

This last year, RACC was able to make a special allocation of $2.4 million to our GOS and Capacity Building arts organizations, made possible thanks to Portland residents that voted for and paid into the Arts Education & Access Income Tax Fund (AEAF), also known as the Arts Education Tax. RACC has had a Board-approved reserve fund since 2018 when they received an unexpected allocation of arts tax revenues collected by the city. Some of those funds were distributed to partner arts organizations in a special allocation that same year and another distribution was made three years ago during the pandemic. The funds distributed through the AEAF will enhance the capacity of diverse art organizations–from visual arts institutions to performing arts organizations and cultural event programmers–to sustain their programs, outreach initiatives, and administrative functions. By providing general operating support, RACC’s distribution of its portion of AEAF funds strengthens the foundational pillars of these organizations and supports their continued vitality and the community’s access to meaningful engagement with the arts.

RACC launched the Fall cycle of Arts3C Grants on July 26, 2023, and will be offering the opportunity to apply to be a Community Reviewer in early August. While the number of applicants grows and the processes remain competitive, RACC team members continue to invest in artists and applicants through time, information, support, and learning opportunities, not to mention grant funding. RACC’s Grants team is available to answer questions and support applicants in all the grant programs.

 

RACC grants team: grants@racc.org