Posted October 20, 2021
Updated following RACC Board Action 10/13/2021 What is the status of statues that were removed or toppled in 2020 protests? The statues from the City of Portland’s public art collection are secured in a temporary storage facility. This includes: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt: Rough Rider, Harvey Scott, Promised Land, and Elk. Will these […]
Posted October 11, 2021
Creative Economy Revitalization Act Art has the power to remind us of all we have in common. It’s what turns a group of individuals into a community. As our nation recovers from the pandemic, the Creative Economy Revitalization Act (CERA) offers an opportunity to put Americans to work creating art that brings our communities together. […]
Posted October 6, 2021
HERE AND THERE is series of conversations between Portland muralists and muralists based in other parts of the country. An online community-centered event, this discussion series hopes to serve as both an education tool for aspiring and working muralists and a point of connection for the broader community to relate more fully with the art […]
Posted October 5, 2021
Dozens of artworks from regional artists purchased or commissioned for Central Courthouse With the new collection of public art at Multnomah County’s stunning new downtown courthouse, artists show their deep roots to community, identity, and history. New art surrounds the building’s exterior, including lively vignettes depicting local landmarks made from cut steel panels and temporary murals made by youth […]
Posted October 4, 2021
The Creative Economy Revitalization Act (CERA) will help communities recover by putting creative workers to work across the country—if it becomes law! “Creative workers have been some of the most severely impacted by the COVID pandemic. At the height of the pandemic in 2020, 63% of creative workers experienced unemployment, translating to over 2 million […]
Posted September 28, 2021
Updated following RACC Board Action 9/29/2021 What is the status of statues that were removed or toppled in 2020 protests? The statues from the City of Portland’s public art collection are secured in a temporary storage facility. This includes: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt: Rough Rider, Harvey Scott, Promised Land and Elk. Will these […]
Posted September 14, 2021
We are thrilled to introduce HERE AND THERE, a new series of conversations between Portland-area muralists and muralists working outside of our region. This three-part series, unfolding monthly through October, hopes to serve as both a professional development opportunity for aspiring and working muralists and a point of connection for our communities to relate more […]
Posted August 20, 2021
by Mario Mesquita, Manager of Advocacy and Engagement Saludos, Greetings, and Hello fellow community members, supporters, artists, artist folx, and friends of the Regional Arts & Culture Council. Hands outstretched in an embrace with one another. One hand reaching for the other, both springing from different colored bouquets, one red, one grey. Located at Southwest […]
Posted August 19, 2021
A conversation with PSU Professor and York historian Darrell Millner, the York artist, and Kristin Calhoun, Director of Public Art, Regional Arts & Culture Council Listen to this pre-recorded conversation with the unidentified artist who created York and PSU Professor of History and Black Studies, Darrell Millner. York, a piece of artwork depicting an enslaved man and […]
Posted August 4, 2021
Our grantmaking continues to change as we strive to align our values of access and equity in our services and investments. Feedback from an online survey in summer 2020, and a series of focus groups with Black, brown, and Indigenous artists who shared their perspectives and needs with us last fall, fueled the creation of […]
Posted July 14, 2021
Outraged by the senseless killing of Breonna Taylor by Louisville police, instrumental hip hop producer LuvJonez waged a 50-day Instagram campaign starting on July 19, 2020, to “shine a light” on an all-too-common story. Originally from Kentucky but now based in Portland, Luvjonez wanted to do something to bring more attention to Breonna Taylor’s case […]
Posted June 30, 2021
Four new members were approved to the Regional Arts & Culture Council Board of Directors and Nathan Rix became RACC’s new board chair on June 29, 2021. Rix succeeds Parker Lee who will serve as Chair Emeritus until June 30, 2022. The Board also approved a new slate of officers to steward the organization including […]
Posted June 4, 2021
Open Signal had a wall. We had experience creating murals. Salvador Mayoral, who facilitates our Public Art Murals Program, recalls how Fresh Paint, the partnership to provide emerging Black and brown artists a place to become muralists, got its start. “We were looking for a high visibility spot for a temporary mural pilot project,” he […]
Posted May 14, 2021
Mario De León is a local artist whose playful, detailed murals and paintings can be found throughout East Portland and Gresham. Passionate about his art and sharing it with the community, De León is bringing his talent to a new project engaging youth from the nonprofit Play Grow Learn. In May, these young artists brightened […]
Posted May 3, 2021
Writer, poet, multi-media artist, and educator, Terrance Burton, breaks it down like this, “If I can inspire someone – another artist – not to give up, that would be it. My art is what inspired me as a survivor.” Terrance Burton credits being an artist to his parents, the ways that they expressed themselves in […]
Posted April 9, 2021
Fourth-generation Japanese-American Michelle Fujii creates contemporary work centered in the Japanese art forms of taiko (drums) and folk dance. “The work I create is rooted in my cultural identity and lived experiences,” she explains. “It responds to current events, community conversations and societal issues. Being personal and authentic is the foundation of my work, investigating notions of […]
Posted March 31, 2021
Just over a year ago, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown issued her executive order putting our state into lockdown due to the COVID-19 virus. Last fall we asked artists to submit works of all media “Capturing the Moment,” reflecting their artistic response to the economic and health crisis in our communities. Submissions flooded in–sculpture, illustrations, video, […]
Posted March 26, 2021
A message from Madison Cario, Executive Director, Regional Arts & Culture Council Play the video. 2020 was a year like no other in RACC’s 49-year history. Through the lens of a devastating pandemic, we learned anew that arts, culture, history, heritage, and humanities are, and will continue to be, essential in our state, our nation, […]
Posted March 24, 2021
SAVE THE DATE & REGISTER TODAY Join with us, many arts and culture organizations from around the state, and the Cultural Advocacy Coalition, for this year’s virtual Advocacy Day. Advocate for the arts from wherever you call home. Find links to the lineup of special guests, a fabulous training, and the premiere of the Cultural Advocacy Coalition’s new look. Register today and stay tuned for more details! […]
Posted March 19, 2021
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 The Regional Arts & Culture Council seeks proposals for design, fabrication and installation of new artwork in Errol Heights Park. The budget for the commission comes from the City of Portland’s Percent for Art Program […]