February 2024
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Commissioner Ryan proposes draft policy and criteria for reviewing public art and monuments
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Portland City Commissioner Dan Ryan has proposed a formal mechanism for addressing community concerns about monuments and public art. Community feedback can be submitted before the proposal is considered by City Council on February 28.
Commissioner Ryan’s draft policy proposal updates the City’s public art code (Chapter 5.74), creating a new section (5.74.090) that provides a way for community members to file complaints about monuments and other public artworks, and defines a process for the City to review them.
The policy proposal is posted on Commissioner Ryan’s webpage. There is a four-week public comment period, affirming the City’s commitment to a transparent decision-making process.
To share your feedback before the City Council session on February 28, email monumentspolicy@portlandoregon.gov.
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In other monuments-related news...
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Oregon’s Black History: York, the Explorer
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The City of Portland is partnering with the 1803 Fund, Oregon Black Pioneers, and Oregon Historical Society to present an evening with the community to learn about the life and celebrate the legacy of an Oregon pioneer.
York was the third explorer with Lewis and Clark on the Oregon Trail Expedition from 1803-1806. But what is known about York besides his participation in this journey? Zachary Stocks of Oregon Black Pioneers will present a detailed biography of York revealing his experiences during the Expedition, his life before and after, including his impact on Oregon and Black history.
The conversation is timely and related to monuments as the City considers a possible future for the York sculpture that was created by Portland artist Todd McGrain and temporarily installed on the pedestal of Harvey Scott in Mount Tabor Park in 2021.
Thursday, February 15 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Alberta Abbey, 126 NE Alberta Street. Admission is free, but seating is limited. RSVP here.
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Portland's new voting districts celebrated in 33 artworks recently added to the Public Art Collection
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The City and the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) have purchased 33 artworks by 26 artists through a competitive application and review process. The theme of this year's purchase was “Taking Inspiration from Portland’s New City Map," referencing Portland’s four new geographic districts. Submitted artworks could directly or indirectly relate to the theme, by portraying Portland’s neighborhoods or people; making personal, social, historical, political, or natural connections to the City or districts; and/or exploring broader ideas of borders, maps, place, or community.
The artworks will enter the Public Art Collection of portable works, a rotating collection displayed in accessible municipal spaces throughout the City of Portland and Multnomah County. Fifteen of the works will enter the Visual Chronicle of Portland, a collection consisting of more than 400 works on paper that focuses on artists’ views of the city’s social and urban landscapes as they evolve through time.
One of the purchased artworks, featured above, is
Tabor Glow by Josh Gates (2022, oil and acrylic on canvas, 22" x 55" x 1"). From his artist statement: "At the heart of District 3 lies Mt. Tabor, a beloved and recognizable landmark for locals and non-locals alike. Living at 84th and Hawthorne in the Montavilla neighborhood, by evening I'm in the extinct volcano's shadow—but when the morning light hits just right, Mt. Tabor lights up and glows like a beacon. I spend time at least once a week walking its trails, and taking in the astounding views of Mt. Hood in one direction and downtown in the other. My painting 'Tabor Glow' attempts to capture the majesty of this landmark bathed in Portland's trademark combination of wet and sun, and a sense of home for the communities surrounding the most prominent icon of District 3."
Other artists whose works were purchased this year include: Rebecca Boraz, Sarah Bouwsma, Terrance Burton, May Maylisa Cat, Epiphany Couch, Menka Desai, Michael Espinoza, Emily Fitzgerald, Future Prairie, Terrence Gasca, Elisa Gusdal, Jo Hamilton, Linda Higgins, Anya Keyes, Latoya Lovely, Marne Lucas, Mika Martinez, Christa Nye, Rory ONeal, M Prull, Rebecca Rodela, Hampton Rodriguez, Mona Superhero, Heléna Dupre Thompson, and Aaron Wessling.
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Celebrating ten years of the Arts Education and Access Fund
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Portland has long been a city that believes art is for everyone, and in 2012 voters saw the need to increase access to the arts for all Portlanders. Due to decades of underfunding our schools, there was a lack of elementary arts teachers leading to inequitable access to the arts as students progressed to middle and high school. Children whose families had the resources to provide arts experiences were prepared to participate in middle and high school offerings, while those without access in the elementary years were not as prepared. Participation in elementary arts education has numerous benefits including fostering creativity creative problem solving and promoting cross cultural learning.
This inequity began to change in the fall of 2012 when Portlanders passed a ballot initiative creating the Arts Education and Access Fund. When we pay the $35 Arts Tax every spring, together we raise approximately $10 million a year. The money first flows to schools, enabling Portland’s six school districts (Centennial, David Douglas, Park Rose, Portland Public, Reynolds, and Riverdale) to pay for one full time certified arts teacher for every 500 students.
Remaining funds are disbursed as grants to artists and arts organizations, resulting in increased arts opportunities for all of us.
Beginning with the 2013-14 school year, the fund had an immediate impact on our city’s children, allowing every public-school elementary student to have access to at least one arts discipline through their elementary years.
This year we are celebrating ten years of the fund. Each school year more than 30,000 students have had arts education as part of their elementary schooling, allowing them to develop their full selves and broaden their understanding of others.
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Over the ten years the Arts Education and Access Fund has also provided more than $30 million dollars to local arts organizations. This page includes a list of all grantees in fiscal year 2022-23.
2023 Arts Tax payments will ensure Portland’s children continue to receive an arts education and local arts organizations obtain needed funding. Payments are due April 15th and can be made here.
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Coming soon: a new arts and cultural plan
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Later this month, the leadership team for Our Creative Future will publish a draft of a new cultural plan for the Portland metro/tri-county region. You are invited to share your feedback throughout the month of March, before the plan is adopted by Portland City Council and other participating jurisdictions later this spring. Subscribe to the planning process newsletter to receive invitations to town hall meetings and other opportunities to participate. Once feedback is incorporated, you will also receive a copy of the published plan.
You can learn more about the cultural plan at a public forum hosted by Portland State University on
Wednesday, February 7 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Subashini Ganesan-Forbes, chair of the Oregon Arts Commission and a member of the Steering Committee for Our Creative Future, will moderate a panel discussion with Laura Becker (Arts Program Manager, Beaverton Arts Commission), Jaimie Lorenzini (Member, Our Creative Future Steering Committee and Policy Analyst, Happy Valley), Jenny R. Stadler, Ph.D. (Executive Director, PHAME), and Michael Cavazos (Artistic Director, Hand2Mouth Theatre).
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RACC grant deadline - February 14: RACC's Arts3C Grant Program is for the Creation, Cultivation & Community in the Portland metropolitan tri-county region. Funded in part by the City of Portland, these grants support artistic output, such as projects, programming, or presentations, or internal capacity, such as operations, personal or professional development, or business investment. Learn more and apply here.
City Arts Transitions: The City's RFP for small grants administration services closed on February 1. A panel has been convened to review these proposals, and will publish its intention to award contracts in April, 2024. In the meantime, Portland City Council recently amended City code so that proceeds of the Arts Education & Access Income Tax (Arts Tax) will be distributed to the City Arts Program rather than to RACC. The City Arts Program will ensure that these funds will continue to flow to arts organizations with the help of partners identified in the City's RFP process. Questions? Visit our FAQ page.
The
Portland Winter Light Festival returns February 2-10 throughout the City. This year's theme this year is Glowing Under Pressure, exploring the mysteries of the deep sea and inspired by bioluminescent wonders. Visit the Portland Winter Light Festival’s website for maps of installation locations.
Vote for Portland murals! Portland's streets are a canvas of creativity, and now we have a chance to shine on the national stage. Our city is nominated for the USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice 2024 for the best street art. Let's show our pride and vote for PDX – where every mural tells a story of our vibrant community. Vote daily here before the poll closes on February 19th, and let's win this together!
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We're the City Arts Program. Meet the team here, and let us know how we can support you! cityartsprogram@portlandoregon.gov
Please share this newsletter with others who may be interested in learning more about how we are working to cultivate culture, creativity and the arts in Portland. Thank you!
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