Rendering of the North Portland Aquatic Center, exterior view, Fessenden Street facing south

In partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) and the Office of Arts & Culture (OoAC) at the City of Portland, the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) invites artists/artist teams living and working in the USA to submit qualifications for a series of site-specific exterior sculptural artworks to be located along and within the entry paths and plaza which will surround the soon-to-be newly constructed North Portland Aquatic Center (NPAC) in Portland, Oregon.

One artist/artist team will be selected to create a sequence of integrated and/or free-standing sculptural works which will be prominently located on the north, east, and south sides of the new facility, greeting NPAC patrons, staff, and park visitors as they approach and enter the new building. The budget available for the commission comes from the City of Portland’s Percent for Art Program and is $165,000, all inclusive. Submissions are due by Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 11.59pm PDT.  

Learn more about this call and how to apply here

PAPG 2025 Grantee Homo Superior, an X-Men themed drag show and queer dance party. Performance by Tunde Olaniran. Photo by Ricky Zuniga

RACC is delighted to announce the launch of this year’s Portland Arts Project Grant program (PAPG). This opportunity is designed and administered by RACC in partnership with the City of Portland’s Office of Arts & Culture as part of its Small Grants initiatives.

The program funds projects spanning all creative disciplines made by Portland-residing artists and organizations. Proposals may be submitted for a variety of endeavors–including programming, presentations, events, artistic development, and the creation of artworks–that include opportunities for the public to engage with their activities.

In total, RACC will distribute $1.2M from City-sourced funding to the vibrant community members that comprise our local creative ecosystem. Following recent changes to City Code regarding the Arts Access Fund, RACC will accept applications in two separate categories this year to align with distinct funding sources made available by the City. One category is open to a wide range of applicant types, while the other is available for schools and nonprofit organizations with projects that specifically serve K-12 students and/or underserved communities as defined by Portland City Council.

PAPG applications will be accepted online via RACC’s Opportunity Portal from September 1 to October 28, 2026 with award announcements made no later than March 26, 2027. Comprehensive information about all aspects of the program can be found in the guidelines and other materials accessible here.

We look forward to continuing our longstanding partnership with the City to make impactful investments in the arts that uplift both creators and the community at large. Applicants may contact grants@racc.org for assistance.

PAPG 2026 Grantee New Wave Opera, performance of "Deep Water." Photo by Ary Finch.

Check out our Instagram Grantee Event highlight and the Grantee Calendar on our website to find even more grantee events as they are announced!

Arts and culture are the heartbeat of our region, helping us reflect who we are and what we stand for. For decades, RACC has believed in the power of art as a resource for community well-being and economic vitality, providing tailored services, growing a nationally acclaimed public art program, and facilitating career-changing opportunities. 

Created by community, for community, RACC remains dedicated to protecting, celebrating, and sustaining arts and culture in our region. We invite you to join us in creating space for arts and culture in every neighborhood. The time to evolve is now, and we want you to be a part of our future.