Artists performing at City Council. Photos by RACC team member Mario Mesquita, Manager of Advocacy and Engagement. 

January 2nd, 2025 marked a significant milestone for Portland. The newly elected City Council and restructured city government convened for their inaugural session. The Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) proudly celebrated this momentous occasion by highlighting the transformative power of arts, culture, and humanities.

The day began with music filling the North Atrium of City Hall, courtesy of Larry Yes, a Portland-based musician with more than 30 years of experience creating songs that focus on joy, positivity, and human connection. Larry’s upbringing as the son of a blues singer and his journey as a father have deeply influenced his heartfelt work. As Larry himself puts it: “Reaching for harmony and unison through collaboration is a blessing and my way of communing with the cosmos.” His performance set the perfect tone for a day dedicated to unity and renewal.

Inside the Council Chambers, two gifted RACC-supported artists took center stage to inspire and reflect on this new chapter for our city. Oregon Poet Laureate Anis Mojgani, a two-time National Poetry Slam champion and recipient of numerous prestigious fellowships, shared one of his beloved works, Forward, captivating the audience with his signature blend of warmth, lyricism, insight, and look to the future.

Following Anis, poet and mental health advocate Jen Shin shared an original piece written specifically for the occasion, Flow, inspired by our region-land of two rivers. As a Korean American writer and a 2023 Periplus Fellow, Jen’s work often delves into themes of healing and identity, shaped by her journey of recovery and self-discovery. 

This collaborative celebration of music and poetry highlights RACC’s commitment to ensuring that arts and culture remain central to Portland’s identity. As our city government embarks on this new era, RACC continues to work diligently to support artists, foster creativity, and provide access to arts and culture for all.

RACC team members Ivan Salcido (2-D Curator & Collections Manager) and Keith Lachowicz (Public Art Collections Manager), installing works from the public artwork collections at City Hall before the new commissioners take office. Photos courtesy of Daniele Davis, Public Art Collections Registrar.

Portland’s City Hall serves as a vibrant cultural hub, reflecting the city's essence through artwork that encapsulates its people, landscapes, urban evolution, diverse cultures, and their interconnections. RACC’s curation aims to celebrate a spectrum of artists, from some of the city's most established artists to rising talents exclusively from the region, who embody the richness of Portland's artistic community. The selection of artworks offer a compelling representation of what it means to live, work, and play in Oregon, inviting all visitors to experience the essence of our city.

The Mayor’s suite features a curated collection of Oregon-themed artwork, blending seasoned artists with emerging talents. In the Commissioner’s offices, the curation focus shifts to the new districts of Portland. Each office features works specifically tailored to reflect the character and spirit of its respective community. Within the Conference Rooms suite, the theme of Portland's identity continues through another curated mix of established and emerging artists. 

All of the artworks installed come from two main collections: the Portable Works Collection, which features hundreds of regional artists' two and three-dimensional pieces spread across City and County buildings; and the Visual Chronicle of Portland, a collection that captures the city's evolving social and urban landscapes.

Rendering of North Portland Library courtesy of Ditroën.

Please join us for an intimate artist reception hosted by the Regional Arts and Culture Council, Ditroën Inc and LEVER Architecture. Meet, mix and mingle with Sadé DuBoise, Melanie Stevens, Kayin Talton Davis and other artists whose work graces the new Black Cultural Center and remodeled North Portland Library. This informal gathering, celebrating public art and the artists who create it, is free, open to all and light refreshments will be provided.

 Courtesy of Meyer Memorial Trust

As Meyer Memorial Trust looks ahead to 2025, they're interested in expanding their partnerships with storytellers, photographers, videographers and other creatives who share a passion for our mission.

Specifically, they are seeking portrait photographers, videographers and innovative storytellers with a talent for incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data in their work. They are especially interested in those who have deep lived and/or professional experience with the work of organizations that serve BIPOC, immigrant and refugee, LGBTQ2SIA+ and other diverse communities.

If this sounds like you or someone you know, please share your website, portfolio or LinkedIn profile to communications@mmt.org. (Subject line: 2025 Storytelling). They'd also love to know a little about you, but please don't worry about a formal pitch or proposal at this time.

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.