The Regional Arts & Culture Council is excited to introduce our community to our new Interim Executive Director Greg Netzer. Greg comes to us with more than 30 years of experience in strategic consulting and organizational leadership. At RACC, he’s working with our team and board to assess and design how we can best serve our community and to help develop the tools, resources, and programs to fulfill our mission.

Greg is a former grant recipient, a former grant panel participant, a graduate of the Cultural Leadership Program, an advocate for RACC in testimony to the Portland City Council, and a member of the team who developed RACC's most recent organizational strategic framework.

Greg lives in NE Portland with his partner Pamela. He spends his free time reading fiction, baking bread, cycling, and supporting the Portland Timbers!

How do you envision leveraging RACC’s strengths to deepen the organization’s resilience and continued impact within the Tri-County area?

RACC’s greatest strength has always been its most underappreciated one: Its ability to understand the difficulties artists and arts organizations face in surviving amid the larger and more commercial structures of our society, and to help them navigate through those difficulties with skill and purpose. RACC remains deeply principled and service-focused at a time when our constituents need both more than ever. Maintaining our ability to deliver service will strengthen our organization and our impact.

How do you plan to engage and collaborate with local arts and cultural partners to reinforce the organization’s impact on our community?

I believe RACC’s future will be centered on the work its partners and community most need it to do – the work no other organization does or can do. We have a strongly held belief of what that work is, but that only matters if our community agrees. So I want to focus our conversations with our community on identifying their most critical needs. If our impact is measured by how well those partners thrive, then we must listen to what they need in order to do so.

As someone who has been deeply involved in the arts community for many years, can you describe how your experiences have shaped your leadership approach for RACC?

I’ve been very influenced throughout my life by art’s ability to let me see perspectives, truths, and even emotions that weren’t necessarily mine. In other words, my capacity for empathy has been shaped dramatically by my experiences with art. And that capacity is at the core of my own view of what leadership is. For me, it begins with understanding people as best I can, and helping them remove distractions and work toward what they need to be successful – which is exactly what I am trying to do at RACC.

We are also excited to announce the appointment of six new members to our Board of Directors: Toni Tabora-Roberts, Tammy Jo Wilson, Matthew Landkamer, Mayra Arreola, Carla Pilar Salazar, and Bob Deasy. Together, they bring a rich spectrum of leadership, innovative thinking, and cultural stewardship with expertise spanning organizational management, artistic and cultural programming, policy implementation, and financial oversight. 

Mayra Arreola is the Chief Shared Prosperity Officer at the Port of Portland. As the lead for the Shared Prosperity Office, she manages a multidisciplinary team to execute policies, programs, and processes that ensure transparent and inclusive practices. Mayra was born and raised in Mexico and came to the US as a young professional. She now lives in Portland with her wife and two children.

Bob Deasy’s formal study of art began over 30 years ago at PNCA. Originally from Germany, he’s worked in various roles and positions at high-technology companies, started his own IT Services company, and is currently an active member of the Pacific Northwest Sculptors Association (PNWS), the Northwest Stone Sculptors Association, and Print Artists Northwest. 

Matthew Landkamer is the founding Principal at Whereabout. He’s a destination strategist, change leader, and idea generator with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. He continues his artistic practice as a painter and volunteers with the Artists Mentor Program, which provides a compassionate and creative space for youth.

Carla Pilar Salazar came from Lima, Peru to Lewis & Clark as an international student. She majored in business and accounting and her career exposed her to 3 main industries: public accounting, financial, and retail. She is currently the CFO for Portland's dearest little big orchestra, Pink Martini. Living in Oregon, Carla developed a passion for the outdoors and enjoys hiking, backpacking, and taking a moment to soak in a grand vista.

Toni Tabora-Roberts is the founder of Esper House, a management, project, and communications consultancy, and has a particular passion for arts, culture, media, education, sustainability, and social justice. Toni identifies as a Filipina and an Asian American woman, daughter of first-generation immigrants. Toni is also a mama, creative, and explorer with her daughter and husband in Portland.

Tammy Jo Wilson is a Black artist, curator, and arts organizer who lives in Portland, Oregon. Wilson received her BFA from the Pacific Northwest College of Art and her MFA from San Jose State University. In 2017 Wilson co-founded the arts organization Art in Oregon with artist Owen Premore; a statewide visual arts non-profit working to foster culturally rich regional communities through partnerships, advocacy, and investment in artists, businesses, educational spaces, and community spaces.

Summer is almost here! Celebrate with us at our June First Thursday. Located in the North Park Blocks, RACC is at the heart of Portland’s vibrant arts scene. We invite you to connect with our team, enjoy complimentary treats, and view works from the Public Art Collections in person. This is a wonderful opportunity to ask questions and get to know other artists in our community. We look forward to seeing you there!

Date: June 6th, 5-7 pm

Location: Regional Arts & Culture Council, 411 NW Park Ave, Suite #101, Portland, OR 97209

RSVP: Here

We are thrilled to announce that we have awarded 284 Arts3C Grants, totaling $1,134,000, to individual artists and organizations! In this round, we received a 16% increase in applications, with a total of 557 creatives applying for funding. With the invaluable support of 40 community reviewers, we conducted 18 panels to determine the award recipients. We are proud to share that among the individual artists awarded, 45% are BIPOC, 24% identify as members of the disability community, and 40% are part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all applicants and eagerly anticipate the incredible work you will create. Please tag us in your updates and announcements on social media so we can share your achievements! Also, stay tuned for a guide on adding your events to our newly redesigned Travel Portland cultural calendar.

Your contributions to RACC help support RACC’s robust arts and culture advocacy agenda, equity initiatives, arts education, programs, new community projects, and public art maintenance. Support arts and culture in your community!

As part of our commitment to facilitate participation in arts and culture for all members of our community, RACC offers numerous volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Visit our website to find current positions!