Left: Portrait of Dyani White Hawk courtesy of the artist / Copyright Dyani White Hawk. Right: Portrait of Kate Newby ©Atsushi Nakamichi, Nacása & Partners Inc./ Courtesy of Fondation d'entreprise Hermès.

In collaboration with the Port of Portland, the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) is proud to announce that Dyani White Hawk and Kate Newby have been chosen to create large-scale, 2D public art works for Portland International Airport (PDX), anticipated to be installed in late 2025 and debut to the public in 2026. Newby and White Hawk were selected through a competitive process by the PDX Terminal Core Redevelopment (TCORE) Public Art Committee from an applicant pool of over 110 artists and artist teams from across the United States. 

Dreaming, Crow's Shadow Institute of the Arts

These unique works will be located along the walls of the north and south exit routes, where greeters wait after security, with each spanning over 50-feet long. Not only will they provide natural wayfinding cues for travelers, but the works will also be an impactful, beautiful welcome to PDX for locals and visitors alike. 

Read about the artists’ practices, artwork plans, and opportunities for community engagement here.

always, always, always, 2023-2024: Ephemeral Anchoring, Maison Hermès Le Forum, Tokyo

For thirty years, the Regional Arts & Culture Council, an independent nonprofit, has served as the designated arts and culture agency for several regional governments and as a vital arts and culture organization throughout the greater Portland Metro area. As we advance in this transformative journey, we seek a visionary leader who can work with our skilled and cohesive team to drive this change, forge strategic partnerships, and guide our organization into a newly defined role in the regional arts ecosystem.

The Executive Director will serve as the organization's chief executive, leading its strategic direction and overseeing all aspects of its operations in alliance with RACC’s values and commitment to equity and access. This role is based in the Portland Metro Area, Oregon. The salary range is $140k—$160k, depending on experience. Find more information about this role, including the full job description and instructions, here. Apply by April 2, 2025. All inquiries will be handled confidentially. The position will remain open until filled.

RACC team members on-site for the installation of Tenya Rogriguez’s public artwork, Thought Bubble (2023) at Multnomah County Library’s Operations Center. From left to right: Salvador Mayoral IV, Keith Lachowicz and Ivan Salcido.

Since 2007, Keith Lachowicz has been our Public Art Collections Manager, stewarding and maintaining the health and welfare of much of the publicly owned art in and around Portland. After eighteen years of service, we share the bittersweet news of Keith’s retirement. In his retirement, we hope to find Keith biking and continuing to build small wooden boats. He’s continuing to help us with a few transitional projects, easing us into missing him and the dedication he brought to our team. 

Keith’s departure brings new beginnings, including major role changes on our public art collections team. Ivan Salcido now leads as our 2D Curator & Collections Manager. A practicing multidisciplinary artist, with several years of art-handling and conservation experience, Ivan works alongside our new 3D Collections Manager, Jennifer Rabin. She comes to RACC with over thirteen years immersed in Oregon’s art ecosystem and maintains an active mixed-media sculpture practice. From the delicate prints in the Portable Works Collection to large-scale outdoor sculptures, together they collaborate with our team, artists, conservators, fabricators, and community members to maintain the health, accessibility, and equity of the public art collections.

RACC also recently welcomed Eleanor Sandys to the team. Eleanor’s role as a Public Art Project Manager builds on several years of work with us as an independent contractor as well as over fifteen years of experience in museum and arts administration. Salvador Mayoral IV, who began working at RACC in 2015, expands his leadership on the public art team as the Deputy Director of Public Art. Kristin Law Calhoun, who just celebrated thirty-five years at the organization, begins her role as the Director of Partnerships and Programs, continuing to work with the Public Art Program and adding the other programs at RACC as well as working on new partnerships, key among them, working with architects and private developers.  

Takohachi, a performing music and dance group and former RACC Capacity Building Program Grantee, at Gresham Japanese Garden. Photos by Ouk John.

RACC plays a crucial role in ensuring that arts and culture are at the heart of our region’s future. By working alongside artists, cultural organizations, and policymakers, we are building a more inclusive, sustainable, and interconnected arts landscape. Our work is grounded in the belief that arts and culture are essential to the growth and well-being of the tri-county region and beyond. Inspired by cultural planning models and guided by ongoing input from local creatives, we are shaping a regional vision that:

Learn more about our vision for strengthening arts & culture in our region here. 

Want to voice your opinion? Talking to legislators about arts & culture is a highly effective way to encourage them to take action. The Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon’s Advocacy Day is coming up on Tuesday, April 15th. Register now! Additionally, the City of Portland's Fiscal Year 2026 budget process is underway in the Mayor and City Administrator's offices. Learn more about the scheduled listening sessions and leave budget feedback here. 

Join us at our next First Thursday open house! In April, we’ll speak on our advocacy efforts while sharing more about the Arts for All program. This program, ensuring everyone who receives temporary assistance through the Oregon Trail Card/SNAP programs can attend a specific arts and cultural event for $5 a ticket, is now stewarded by Mario Mesquita, our Director of Advocacy & Engagement and our new Operations Coordinator, Amber Gauntlett! 

Image courtesy of former grantee Emily Garcia who received a RACC Professional Development Grant to attend a book-binding workshop in Idaho.

RACC is excited to announce a new grant program to support professional development! This program assists artists or arts administrators by offsetting expenses related to specific, unique opportunities with the potential to significantly impact professional development. An opportunity may be one of many things, but the proposal must clearly demonstrate how the activity will benefit the applicant long-term. 

RACC is providing the Professional Development Grant Program in partnership with the estate of Harriet Beal Cormack. Funding from the Cormack estate will be increased with investments of public funds from Multnomah County and Washington County.

An applicant may request any amount up to $2,000. Due to the competitive nature of this grant program, funded applicants may receive less than the requested amount. Applications are due by Wednesday, April 30, 2025 by 5:00pm. Please find more information, including an FAQ, info sessions and a link to our application portal here. 

Rendering of Beaverton High School. Courtesy of BRIC Architecture, Inc. 

In partnership with the Beaverton School District and BRIC Architecture, the Regional Arts & Culture Council invites artists/artist teams to submit qualifications for multiple interior site-specific public artworks at the newly constructed Beaverton High School in Beaverton, Oregon.

Artists/artist teams are invited to create 7 site-specific digital artworks or artworks delivered as digital files that reflect the themes of belonging, diversity, and student representation at Beaverton High School, a student body made of various cultures. Final medium will be a vinyl application installed on walls or glass. Submissions are due Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at 11:59pm PDT. Learn more and apply here. 

Stay tuned for a new public art opportunity coming up soon! Applications will be due in mid-April!

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.