Portlanders believe in the power of an arts education
Access to the arts is a core part of the human experience—allowing us to express and explore emotions, connect with others, and process what’s happening in the world around us. That’s especially true for elementary-aged children. Research shows that access to the arts in elementary school greatly impacts whether students go on to explore artistic pursuits, from drawing and sculpting to choir and band, as they advance into middle and high school.
About the Arts Tax and the Arts Access Fund
The City of Portland’s Arts Access Fund ensures that students in Portland have access to the arts as part of their K-5 education. This collective fund, powered by the Arts Tax, is broad, efficient, and unique to Portland, impacting every public elementary school student in the city.
History and impact of the Arts Tax and Arts Access Fund
The Arts Access Fund began with a ballot initiative in 2012, which was passed by Portland residents and established a $35 income tax (the Arts Tax) on every eligible adult in Portland. During the last school year, 2024-25, the fund disbursed more than $7.8 million to Portland’s school districts.
Before the ballot initiative passed, there was a lack of elementary school arts educators in Portland. Many children did not have access to the arts as part of their schooling at all. The Arts Access Fund changed the landscape of arts education in Portland. Before the Arts Access Fund began disbursing funds to Portland schools, there were 31 K-5 FTE (full-time equivalent) arts teachers across six districts. In 2024-25, there were 111.
After Portland school districts receive their disbursements, remaining Arts Access Fund dollars are distributed as grants to local arts organizations by the Office of Arts & Culture. In 2024-25, that was $3.3 million to General Operating Support grantees and $350,000 for the Small Grants for Artists & Arts Organizations program.
Since 2012, the Arts Tax has generated over $135 million dollars, providing arts teachers for 28,000 elementary school children every year and more than $30 million dollars in grants to local arts organizations via the Arts Access Fund.