RACC Blog

Montavilla wine shop bets on jazzy future

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Vino Veritas, located in Portland’s Montavilla neighborhood, features live jazz music

In mid-November, the day that Governor Brown’s 4-week “freeze” in Multnomah County went into effect, Vino Veritas General Manager, Trevor Gorham called RACC. Trevor was anxious to learn when his wine shop, Vino Veritas, would receive their grant funding. In business since April 2017, Vino Veritas is a small wine bar and bottle shop located in the Montavilla neighborhood of Southeast Portland with a devoted following thanks, in part, to their live music. They started offering music when the owner’s son asked if his band could play at the shop one-night a week. Customers liked it and before long, they had a robust rotation of jazz trios and other small groups playing live sets throughout the week. Because they normally provide a performance space, Vino Veritas was eligible for a portion of the $2.5 million in PDX Cares Venues funding administered through a partnership between Prosper Portland and the Regional Arts & Culture Council.

Jazz Concert – Eunice Parsons, 1984

After the initial shut down order in March, Vino Veritas pivoted their business model. They kept their doors open by focusing on phone and on-line orders bottle sales and offering curbside pick-up or delivery. As summer approached and restrictions loosened, they resumed more of their regular operations. Continuing to innovate, they added virtual programming, including on-line wine tastings. They also brought back the music. “At first our outside area could only hold a solo musician or a duo,” Trevor explained. Their customers responded, returning to Vino Veritas to enjoy the music and regain a feeling of normalcy. They expanded the covered area to hold a trio and a larger audience. “It meant so much to the musicians – and to the customers – to have live music again,” he added.

In April, Vino Veritas received a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan but decided not to take the full amount. Like many, they underestimated the impact the virus would have on their business and were unsure of all the strings attached. “We also wanted to be sure other businesses like us had access to the funds,” Trevor explained. “When we first got the news (about the PDX CARES grant) we were speechless. This additional money helps us so much. We can now see the end and see how we are going to get through this.”

“Capturing the Moment” through the lenses of Portland’s Black artists, Indigenous artists, and artists of color

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Interpretation services available, email info@racc.org

Servicio de interpretación disponible   |  Предоставляются услуги переводчика   |   Có dịch vụ thông dịch   |   通訳サービスあり

 

34 Black artists, Indigenous artists, and artists of color have had works selected for a new public art collection titled Capturing the Moment. This collection showcases work in a wide scope of medium, created by emerging artists and creatives across the region in response to this particular moment in time. It is an effort to reflect and record our collective experiences of change, uncertainty, loss, and hope.

A community curatorial team composed of four Black artists and creatives reviewed the submissions and made selections. The curatorial team includes: Christine Miller, visual artist; Bobby Fouther, visual & performing artist; Ambush, Creative Consultant/DJ;  and Stacey Drake Edwards, textile artist.

Selected artists will receive up to $1,500 per individual.

Abby Castillo

Alvaro Tarrago

Anthony Hudson

Anthony Wylen

Ashley Mellinger

Belise Nishimwe

Charlie Brown III

Donna Hayes

Dwayne Sackey

Ebonee Atkins

Emmanuel Henreid

 hampton rodriguez

Harrison Pinsonault

janessa bautista

Jene Etheridge

Jonas Angelet

Julian Saporiti

Kiana Kinchelow

Machado Mijiga

May Anuntarungsun

Michael Cavazos

Michelle Fujii

 Michelle Martinez

Montrell Goss

Niema Lightseed

Paola De La Cruz

Somya Singh

steven christian

Taylor Valdes

Terrance Scott

Terrance Burton

Valerie Yeo

Yathzi Turcot Azpeitia

This project is supported by the City of Portland and #PDXCARES funding. The collection will be made available for our community to experience; details to follow. For more information, contact: Heather Nelson Kent Communications Manager

Capturing the Moment – Call to Portland Artists and Creatives

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Interpretation services available, email info@racc.org

Servicio de interpretación disponible   |  Предоставляются услуги переводчика   |   Có dịch vụ thông dịch   |   通訳サービスあり

Application window closed Monday, Oct. 26.

Artists are essential. In times of crisis, artists express what they see and feel, helping us process what we are going through, activating, and uplifting the community.

Capturing the Moment is a new call for Black artists, Indigenous artists, and all artists of color to submit works in all media created in this moment. ANY work that captures a creative response to the COVID-19 global pandemic and Black Lives Matter movement, racial justice protests, and/or the political environment of the moment. Submissions of all media will be considered – murals, paintings, photos, films, essays, poetry, performances captured on film or video, posters, stickers, t-shirt art, etc.

This new call aims to reflect and record this time of change, uncertainty, loss, and hope. It will continue to serve and showcase some of the work emerging from artists and creatives at this moment in our history. Artist submissions selected for Capturing the Moment will be shared via RACC and the City of Portland communication channels including digital formats and social media accounts.

Supported with City of Portland #PDXCARES funding dedicated to Black artists, Indigenous artists, and all artists of color who reside in the City of Portland.

Hampton Rodriguez, Bike, 2019, newspaper on canvas, 12 x7. Recent addition to Visual Chronicle of Portland

WHAT ARE WE “CAPTURING”?

  • RACC will purchase actual physical artworks/memorabilia of all media. (Framing will be provided by RACC, as appropriate.)
  • RACC will also purchase written works, digital images of works, digital recordings of performances, etc. to show/use through RACC & the City of Portland’s communication channels.

Only works created since March 2020 will be considered. Selected artists will receive up to $1,500 per individual. The overall budget for this initiative is $38,000.

A panel of RACC staff and BIPOC curators selected by RACC will review and curate artist submissions. RACC reserves the right to select works from artists and creatives who do not directly apply to this call, if appropriate.

ELIGIBILITY

This opportunity serves artists who reside in the City of Portland only. Funds may only be awarded for submissions from Black artists, Indigenous artists, and artists of color who meet the eligibility criteria.

Additionally, priority will be given to artists who have not received RACC Support Beam 2020 commissions or a 2020 Project Grant or are not already well represented in Portland’s Portable Works Public Art Collection.

Elijah Hasan, See It Through, 2019, Inkjet print, 11×14. Recent addition to Portland Visual Chronicle.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

All artwork for consideration must be submitted through RACC’s Opportunity Portal: racc.org/apply.

Artists must create an account, or log into their existing account. Instructions in the opportunity portal will guide you through the process. Incomplete submission forms cannot be considered.

Once you have started your Capturing the Moment submission form, you can save after each step and sign out. Your proposal will be saved as a draft you can continue to work on as needed. Complete all the tasks and hit “Submit.” Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions during the process.

 

Artists must include the following in their proposal:

  • Up to eight (8) works that “Capture the Moment,” including images, writing, or video. File size should be no larger than 5 megabytes. The .jpg format, PDF format, or links to video work online is preferred. Provide no more than two (2) images per artwork/item. For each submission, provide title, media, dimensions/length, date produced, and (if applicable) background or conceptual information.
  • Artist bio: A short paragraph that briefly describes your artistic practice (150-200 words).
  • Applicant demographics
  • Applicant W-9 form


QUESTIONS?   Contact hnkent@racc.org

We’re Here to Help! Talk with the Program Staff. Ask questions and seek help early; last minute help can be in short supply.

If you have questions about the RACC application portal or if using the application portal presents a barrier to applying, contact Ingrid Carlson: icarlson@racc.org.

 

Application closes 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, 2020.

Use RACC’s Opportunity Portal to apply racc.org/apply

 

PDXCARES NEW FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

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Millions in new state and local funding is coming available for arts non-profits and artists, performing arts spaces, music venues, and small businesses. Timelines are short. Read below to see where you or your organization can tap into these new resources.

Watch our COVID-19 resources page for details on new grants and relief opportunities as we know them.

#PDXCARES Venues Funding – Application Closed

Funds for performing arts spaces, music venues, independent film theaters

In July Portland City Council allocated $2.5 million in federal COVID relief funding for Portland-based businesses and non-profit organizations that program  public space for music, dance, and independent film and that are unable to open until Phase III of the state’s re-opening due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health shutdown.

Up to $2 million will be available in grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 for commercial entities with eligible expenses related to the coronavirus closure in accordance with federal requirements.  An additional $500,000 is dedicated to non-profit entities for the same purpose.

Priority will be placed on supporting applicant organizations that are led by or serve Black, Indigenous, and all people of color (BIPOC) community members, that have not previously received other state funds, or that present or partner with local artists and musicians.  The federal CARES Act requires that funding be used only to cover expenses that are necessary expenditures incurred due to the economic shutdown and that were incurred during the period that began on March 1, 2020, and ends on Dec. 30, 2020.

Prosper Portland and RACC will host a panel review process. Staff will screen for eligibility and priority
criteria. Panels made up of a diverse group of community representatives will review eligible
applications using the following priority and review criteria. More details in the application guidelines.

Businesses and organizations apply here www.racc.org/apply Application closes 5 p.m.,  Monday, Nov. 2.

Read the FAQ for more details.

CAPTURING THE MOMENT

With City of Portland #PDXCARES funding, RACC offers a new call for submissions from Black artists, Indigenous artists, and all artists of color living in Portland.

Capturing the Moment is a new call for artists and designers of all media to submit works created in this moment. ANY work that captures a creative response to the global pandemic, Black Lives Matter movement, racial justice protests, and/or the political environment of the moment. Submissions of all media will be considered – murals, paintings, photography, essays, poetry, performances, posters, stickers, t-shirt art, etc.

Application closed Monday, Oct. 26, 5 p.m. 

Read the full description and find out how to apply here: https://racc.smapply.org

 

New Round of Small Business Assistance Grants – application closed Sept. 24, 2020

Individual cities and counties have their own deadlines and requirements for these funds.

Resources and information here: https://www.mesopdx.org/grants/

Opened Sept. 14 in Portland: https://prosperportland.us/[portfolio-items][portland-small-business-relief-fund]

In Washington County: https://www.co.washington.or.us/CAO/business-recovery.cfm

 

 

Application Closed – Oregon Cultural Trust Coronavirus Relief Funds

Funding for Cultural Nonprofits and Community Venues

When: Application closed Aug. 24 at noon.

Cultural Coalitions in each county will help make funding decisions by September 14.

Find out more about how the City of Portland allocated $114 million in federal CARES ACT funding

Learn more about State COVID Relief funding for arts and music

 

Keep any eye out here and on our COIVD-19 resources page for more updates.

FY2019-2020 General Operating Support Grant Awards

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Learn more about RACC’s General Operating Support program.

 

New Partner Organizations for FY19 – 20 – Awarded in February 2020.

  • Corrib Theatre – $15,000
  • New Expressive Works – $15,000
  • Outside the Frame – $15,000
  • Pacific Youth Choir – $20,000
  • Portland Taiko – $15,000
  • Shaking the Tree Theatre – $15,000

 

Capacity Building Organizations for FY19 – 20 – Awarded in June 2019.

  • Cymaspace – $25,000
  • Disability Arts & Culture Project – $25,000
  • Instituto de Cultura e Arte – $25,000
  • MediaRites – $25,000
  • Morpheus Youth Project – $25,000
  • PassinArt – $25,000
  • Vanport Mosaic – $25,000
  • World Stage Theatre – $25,000

 

General Operating Support Partner Base Awards

Cycle 1 – Reports received in November 2019.

  • Blue Sky Gallery – $15,000
  • Boom Arts – $15,000
  • CoHo Productions – $20,000
  • Literary Arts – $60,000
  • Oregon Ballet Theatre – $131,000
  • Portland Art Museum/NWFC – $427,000
  • Portland Center Stage – $225,000
  • Portland Youth Philharmonic – $30,000
  • Profile Theatre Project – $30,000
  • The Portland Ballet – $30,000
  • Third Angle New Music – $15,000
  • Third Rail Repertory Theatre – $30,000
  • White Bird – $45,000

Cycle 2 – Reports received in February 2020

  • Artist Repertory Theatre – $60,800
  • Chamber Music Northwest – $45,000
  • Disjecta Contemporary Art Center – $15,000
  • Friends of Chamber Music – $30,000
  • Metropolitan Youth Symphony – $30,000
  • Northwest Children’s Theater and School – $60,000
  • PETE (Portland Experimental Theatre Ensemble) – $15,000
  • Portland Baroque Orchestra – $30,000
  • Portland Columbia Symphony – $30,000
  • Portland Opera Association – $214,000
  • Portland Playhouse – $45,000
  • Young Audiences of Oregon – $45,000

Cycle 3 – Reports received in May 2020

  • Bodyvox – $45,000
  • Cappella Romana – $30,000
  • Children’s Healing Art Project – $20,000
  • Echo Theater Company – $20,000
  • Ethos Music Center – $30,000
  • Hand2Mouth – $15,000
  • Hollywood Theatre – $60,000
  • Imago Theatre – $15,000
  • IPRC – $15,000
  • Live Wire! Radio – $20,000
  • Milagro – $30,000
  • My Voice Music – $20,000
  • Northwest Dance Project – $45,000
  • NW Documentary Arts & Media – $15,000
  • Oregon BRAVO – $30,000
  • Oregon Children’s Theatre – $72,900
  • Oregon Symphony Association – $352,000
  • PDX Jazz – $30,000
  • PHAME – $30,000
  • PICA – $45,000
  • PlayWrite – $15,000
  • Polaris Dance Theatre – $20,000
  • Portland Gay Men’s Chorus – $30,000
  • Portland Piano International – $30,000
  • Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls – $15,000
  • The Circus Project – $30,000
  • The Red Door Project – $30,000
  • Triangle – $20,000
  • Write Around Portland – $20,000

 

Clackamas & Washington County Awards –  Reports received in June 2019.

  • Bag & Baggage Productions – $20,000
  • Broadway Rose Theatre Company – $46,000
  • Lakewood Center for the Arts – $43,000

 

GOS Investment Awards for FY19 – 20 – Awarded in June 2020.

  • Artist Repertory Theatre – $8,700
  • Boom Arts – $15,600
  • Cappella Romana – $13,000
  • Chamber Music Northwest – $16,300
  • Children’s Healing Art Project – $8,100
  • Coho Productions – $20,700
  • Disjecta Contemporary Art Center – $19,300
  • Echo Theater Company – $7,300
  • Ethos – $15,800
  • Friends of Chamber Music – $15,800
  • Hand2Mouth – $6,100
  • Hollywood Theatre – $20,500
  • Imago Theatre – $7,900
  • Independent Publishing Resource Center – $24,600
  • Literary Arts – $25,000
  • Live Wire Radio – $19,500
  • Miracle Theatre Group – $27,000
  • Northwest Children’s Theater & School – $14,800
  • NW Documentary – $10,000
  • Oregon BRAVO Youth Orchestra – $10,000
  • PDX Jazz – $5,300
  • PETE (Portland Experimental Theatre Ensemble) – $6,100
  • PHAME – $24,800
  • PlayWrite – $9,500
  • Polaris Dance Theatre – $8,300
  • Portland Columbia Symphony – $11,000
  • Portland Gay Men’s Chorus – $22,600
  • Portland Institute for Contemporary Art – $20,100
  • Portland Playhouse – $27,200
  • Portland Youth Philharmonic – $22,300
  • Profile Theatre – $7,300
  • The Circus Project – $21,500
  • The Portland Ballet – $17,300
  • The Red Door Project – $28,400
  • Third Angle New Music – $11,600
  • Triangle Productions – $3,200
  • White Bird – $7,100
  • Write Around Portland – $26,800
  • Young Audiences of Oregon & SW Washington – $23,600

 

 Equity Investment for FY19 – 20 – Awarded in May 2020.

  • Disjecta Contemporary Art Center – $15,000
  • Ethos – $7,700
  • Oregon BRAVO Youth Orchestra – $15,000
  • PHAME – $20,000
  • Portland Art Museum & Northwest Film Center – $25,000
  • Portland Opera – $15,000
  • The Circus Project – $20,000
  • The Red Door Project – $30,000

                                                                                         

COVID- 19 Resilience Awards for FY19 – 20 – Awarded in February 2020.

  • Artist Repertory Theatre – $21,000
  • Blue Sky Gallery – $5,300
  • Bodyvox – $16,000
  • Boom Arts – $5,300
  • Cappella Romana – $7,100
  • Chamber Music Northwest – $16,000
  • Children’s Healing Art Project – $7,100
  • Coho Productions – $7,100
  • Corrib Theatre – $5,300
  • Cymaspace – $5,300
  • Disability Arts & Culture Project – $5,300
  • Disjecta Contemporary Art Center – $5,300
  • Echo Theater Company – $7,100
  • Ethos – $10,700
  • Friends of Chamber Music – $10,700
  • Hand2Mouth – $5,300
  • Hollywood Theatre – $16,000
  • Imago Theatre – $7,100
  • Independent Publishing Resource Center – $5,300
  • Instituto de Cultura e Arte – $5,300
  • Literary Arts – $21,000
  • Live Wire Radio – $7,100
  • MediaRites – $5,300
  • Metropolitan Youth Symphony – $10,700
  • Miracle Theatre Group – $10,700
  • Morpheus Youth Project – $5,300
  • My Voice Music – $5,300
  • New Expressive Works – $5,300
  • Northwest Children’s Theater & School – $21,000
  • Northwest Dance Project – $16,000
  • NW Documentary – $5,300
  • Oregon Ballet Theatre – $30,000
  • Oregon BRAVO Youth Orchestra – $7,100
  • Oregon Children’s Theatre – $21,000
  • Oregon Symphony – $62,000
  • Outside the Frame – $5,300
  • Pacific Youth Choir – $7,100
  • PassinArt – $5,300
  • PDX Jazz – $10,700
  • PETE (Portland Experimental Theatre Ensemble) – $5,300
  • PHAME – $10,700
  • PlayWrite – $5,300
  • Polaris Dance Theatre – $5,300
  • Portland Art Museum & Northwest Film Center – $62,000
  • Portland Baroque Orchestra – $10,700
  • Portland Center Stage – $36,000
  • Portland Columbia Symphony – $7,100
  • Portland Gay Men’s Chorus – $7,100
  • Portland Institute for Contemporary Art – $16,000
  • Portland Opera – $36,000
  • Portland Piano International – $7,100
  • Portland Playhouse – $16,000
  • Portland Taiko – $5,300
  • Portland Youth Philharmonic – $10,700
  • Profile Theatre – $10,700
  • Rock ‘n’ Roll Camp for Girls – $5,300
  • Shaking the Tree Theatre – $5,300
  • The Circus Project – $10,700
  • The Portland Ballet – $10,700
  • The Red Door Project – $5,300
  • Third Angle New Music – $5,300
  • Third Rail Repertory Theatre – $10,700
  • Triangle Productions – $7,100
  • Vanport Mosaic – $5,300
  • White Bird – $16,000
  • World Stage Theatre – $5,300
  • Write Around Portland – $7,100
  • Young Audiences of Oregon & SW Washington – $16,000

2019-20 RACC Project Grants (Cycle 3)

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RACC’s Project Grant Program provides financial support to individual artists and not-for-profit organizations in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas Counties, for project based arts programming. Grants are awarded up to $7,000 and are available in three categories: Artistic Focus, Arts Equity & Access, and Catalyst.  The following 91 Project Grants were approved on May 27, 2020 and June 24, 2020 and total $404,460.

 

2019-20 Project Grant awards (Cycle 3):

Applicant County Project Type Discipline Award Amount
Amity Givens Multnomah Catalyst Multi-Discipline $3,000
Andrea Leoncavallo Multnomah Artistic Focus Media Arts $4,890
Andy Dunn Clackamas Catalyst Literature $3,000
Annamieka Davidson Multnomah Catalyst Visual Arts $3,000
Arcadia Trueheart Multnomah Catalyst Theatre $3,000
Ariella Tai Multnomah Artistic Focus Media Arts $4,650
Aspen DeVillier Multnomah Catalyst Media Arts $3,000
Ayanna Drakos Multnomah Artistic Focus Multi-Discipline $5,250
Beckey Kaye Chapman Multnomah Catalyst Visual Arts $3,000
Bobby Smith Multnomah Arts Equity & Access Music $6,260
Christina Pham Multnomah Artistic Focus Media Arts $2,790
Claire Barrera Multnomah Artistic Focus Dance/Movement $5,240
crow lauren jean Multnomah Catalyst Multi-Discipline $3,000
Dan Eason Multnomah Artistic Focus Media Arts $5,250
Darlene Zimbardi Multnomah Catalyst Multi-Discipline $3,000
Devin Febbroriello Multnomah Artistic Focus Media Arts $5,250
Elijah Hasan Multnomah Artistic Focus Media Arts $5,250
Elise Morris Washington Artistic Focus Dance/Movement $4,310
Ellen Margolis Washington Artistic Focus Theatre $5,250
Emily Arrow Multnomah Artistic Focus Music $4,950
Emmanuel Henreid Multnomah Catalyst Music $3,000
Emmi Greer Multnomah Catalyst Literature $3,000
Freddy Vilches Multnomah Artistic Focus Music $5,600
Irena Boboia Washington Artistic Focus Media Arts $5,230
Ivan Salcido Multnomah Artistic Focus Visual Arts $5,180
J Fernando Valls Multnomah Catalyst Multi-Discipline $3,000
Jeanette Li Multnomah Artistic Focus Media Arts $6,300
Jennifer Brommer Multnomah Artistic Focus Visual Arts $5,250
Jennifer Wright Multnomah Artistic Focus Multi-Discipline $5,580
Joal Stein Multnomah Artistic Focus Social Practice $3,020
Kate Zipse Multnomah Catalyst Literature $3,000
Kristy Hruska Multnomah Artistic Focus Visual Arts $4,780
Lillian Lion Multnomah Catalyst Media Arts $3,000
Lisa Lipton Multnomah Artistic Focus Music $2,740
MariaGarcia Multnomah Artistic Focus Music $5,120
maribel de leon Washington Artistic Focus Media Arts $5,250
martin zarzar Multnomah Catalyst Multi-Discipline $3,000
Masimbaashe Zvovushe Multnomah Artistic Focus Theatre $5,250
Matthew Dan Multnomah Catalyst Media Arts $3,000
Matthew Draughter Multnomah Catalyst Multi-Discipline $3,000
Max Voltage McGrath-Riecke Multnomah Artistic Focus Music $5,180
Natalya Kolosowsky Multnomah Artistic Focus Multi-Discipline $3,760
Nii Ardey Allotey Multnomah Arts Equity & Access Folk Arts $5,100
Paige Stoyer Washington Arts Equity & Access Visual Arts $4,990
Phoebe Owens Multnomah Artistic Focus Media Arts $5,250
Rachel Powers Multnomah Catalyst Literature $3,000
Rángel Rosas Reséndiz Multnomah Artistic Focus Visual Arts $6,300
Raziah Roushan Washington Arts Equity & Access Multi-Discipline $4,870
Remedios Rapoport Multnomah Artistic Focus Visual Arts $5,250
RiRi SynCyr Clackamas Catalyst Dance/Movement $3,000
Ryan Meagher Multnomah Artistic Focus Music $3,940
S. Renee Mitchell Multnomah Arts Equity & Access Multi-Discipline $5,250
Samantha Wall Multnomah Artistic Focus Visual Arts $5,180
Sarah Shaoul Multnomah Catalyst Social Practice $3,000
steven christian Multnomah Catalyst Media Arts $3,000
Todd Baize Multnomah Artistic Focus Media Arts $5,250
Twin Chicken Multnomah Catalyst Literature $3,000
Uriah Boyd Multnomah Artistic Focus Multi-Discipline $5,140
Weston Anderson Multnomah Artistic Focus Media Arts $5,350
Yasmin Ruvalcaba Washington Artistic Focus Theatre $5,140
45th Parallel Multnomah Artistic Focus Music $5,250
A-WOL Dance Collective Multnomah Artistic Focus Dance/Movement $6,300
Big Horn Brass Clackamas Artistic Focus Music $3,180
Blackfish Gallery Multnomah Artistic Focus Multi-Discipline $4,880
Community Vision Multnomah Arts Equity & Access Visual Arts $1,880
Couch Film Collective Multnomah Arts Equity & Access Media Arts $5,600
Demo House LLC Multnomah Catalyst Media Arts $3,000
Foris Music Multnomah Catalyst Music $3,000
Fuller Rosen Gallery Multnomah Artistic Focus Visual Arts $3,920
Fuse Theatre Ensemble Multnomah Arts Equity & Access Theatre $6,270
Graphic Arts Center Multnomah Catalyst Multi-Discipline $3,000
In Mulieribus Multnomah Artistic Focus Music $5,130
MediaRites Multnomah Artistic Focus Theatre $4,730
Montavilla Jazz Festival Multnomah Artistic Focus Music $6,300
Native Wellness Institute Multnomah Arts Equity & Access Multi-Discipline $5,250
Oregon Adventure Theatre Clackamas Artistic Focus Theatre $4,550
Oregon ArtsWatch Multnomah Arts Equity & Access Media Arts $3,750
Oregon Music Festival Multnomah Artistic Focus Music $5,230
Original Practice Shakespeare Festival Multnomah Artistic Focus Theatre $5,030
Phantom Drift Multnomah Catalyst Literature $3,000
Portland Area Theatre Alliance Multnomah Arts Equity & Access Multi-Discipline $4,880
Portland Latin American Film Festival Multnomah Artistic Focus Media Arts $6,300
Portland State University Multnomah Artistic Focus Multi-Discipline $5,290
Portland Street Art Alliance Multnomah Arts Equity & Access Multi-Discipline $5,250
push/FOLD Multnomah Artistic Focus Dance/Movement $5,250
Steps for Youth Multnomah Catalyst Dance/Movement $3,000
The Media Project Multnomah Artistic Focus Media Arts $6,300
Tucker Maxon School Multnomah Arts Equity & Access Visual Arts $5,250
Urban Art Network Multnomah Artistic Focus Multi-Discipline $5,250
Water in the Desert Multnomah Artistic Focus Multi-Discipline $5,250
Yale Union Multnomah Artistic Focus Visual Arts $5,600

 

New RACC Emergency Fund for Artists and Creative Workers

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Initial fund provides more than $120,000 in small grants for individuals

Thousands of individual artists and creative workers have already lost contracts, gigs, and teaching work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Performance cancellations, closures and physical distancing requirements are having a devastating impact on greater Portland’s creative community. In Multnomah County alone, more than 900 individual artists responding to a recent survey estimated over $9 million in lost income March through May, 2020.

In the face of this unprecedented crisis, the Regional Arts & Culture Council April 2, 2020 announced a new fund to provide some financial relief to Portland area creative professionals and the region’s cultural workforce. RACC’s Emergency Fund for Artists and Creative Workers, offers financial assistance to cover lost income to artists experiencing economic hardship.

New donations to the fund will be distributed directly to individual artists and creative workers in need along with more than $120,000 in unrestricted funding RACC has redirected from other programs. Applications to the emergency fund open on April 2, 2020 and should be submitted online no later than 5 p.m. Monday, April 13, 2020 for initial consideration. As new funds are donated and identified, RACC will award additional funds.

“Our artist community has lost much but it remains rich with diversity of skills, resources and creativity,” said RACC Executive Director, Madison Cario.  “That’s why it’s essential that in the short-term RACC look at all available resources, ramp up partnerships, and raise money. We will be looking to the arts community to innovate with us to create longer-term solutions and creative ideas that will support our resilience and recovery.”

RACC’s Emergency Fund for Artists and Creative Workers supports individuals who have experienced a financial loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund is open to artists at all levels of their careers, in a broad variety of disciplines. Applicants will be asked to share evidence of their artistic practice, household income, and financial loss in the application. RACC will make awards up to $500 in order to support as many individual artists as possible, prioritizing those without access to other COVID-19 relief funds.

“It’s not just individual artists who are losing out as a result of the pandemic; the whole region risks losing much of our artistic wealth and with it the contributions of individual creators who inspire and uplift us, and who can help our spirits heal from this disaster,” stated Linda McGeady, RACC Board Chair.  “RACC is being nimble and creative, and staff is working hard to get dollars out the door as quickly as possible.”

The picture of the impact of COVID-19 on the arts community came into sharp focus last week as RACC released results from a statewide survey. The survey collected estimated losses from individuals and arts organizations during March, April and May. Statewide, losses were reported at more than $56 million for artists and arts organizations in just a three-month period. The survey did not include a response from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which has subsequently announced it will delay reopening of its 2020 season until September and laid off a majority of staff.

Many artists responding to the survey offered examples of how restrictions on group sizes, public gatherings and requirements for physical distancing during this health crisis are affecting their income and their community.

  • A self- employed visual artist explained, “My galleries are ALL closed – including a major solo show – and my classes are ALL cancelled. I have stopped submitting to future shows. My solo and two-person shows this summer are in limbo. My income is sporadic by nature so I can’t tell you what would have sold had the galleries remained open.”
  • A Saturday Market vendor shared how they rely on tourism to support and sustain their revenue, which currently is reduced to nothing.
  • A local animator, currently employed on a stop-motion feature film being made in Portland, described how their team typically works as a large crew, in close proximity. Initially shut down for two weeks, the film – and team – is on hiatus indefinitely.
  • A musician who makes their income by composing and producing music described how they also own and operate a recording studio, which is now shuttered. “My income not only helps provide food for my family, but also helps keep the lights on at the studio.”

More emergency relief measures for artists and arts organizations are in the works. RACC is currently reviewing all projects and programs as potential relief funds, as well as any new sources anticipated in next fiscal year, starting July 1, 2020. Information about new opportunities will be shared with the community as they are confirmed by RACC staff, board members and funding partners in the coming weeks.

More information about RACC’s Emergency Fund for Individual Artists can be found here: https://artsimpactfund.racc.org/covid-19/

Para solicitar asistencia para la aplicación en un idioma que no sea inglés, envíe un correo electrónico a: grants@racc.org

在申请过程中，如果您需要语言上的帮助请发邮件到：grants@racc.org

News For RACC Grantees

Written by

We’ve heard from many of you with concerns about the COVID-19 virus. We want to assure you that RACC is committed to supporting the artists and organizations we work with in this rapidly evolving situation. Our staff is working remotely and you can reach your grants officers by email – see contact information below.

If your planned project or performance needs to be cancelled, rescheduled, or modified as the result of the virus, RACC can be flexible. We’re happy to discuss modifications to your proposed activity as needed—remember that there is no set deadline for completion of your project.

Reminder, there may be some delays in getting grant payments sent out. Direct Deposit (ACH) payments will continue to be sent weekly, but paper checks may take longer to generate. If you need a grant payment quickly, we recommend you email us a completed version of the ACH form to your grants officer.

Helen Daltoso hdaltoso@racc.org

Ingrid Carlson icarlson@racc.org