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Arts Access Fund FAQ
Which school districts are served by the fund?
The Arts Access Fund serves Centennial, David Douglas, Parkrose, Portland Public Schools, Reynolds, and Riverdale.
How are Arts Access Fund disbursement amounts determined for each school district?
School district distributions are based on a funding formula of 1 full-time equivalent (FTE) for every 500 students. The formula for calculating disbursements to the school districts is:
(District's K-5 enrollment #/500) x District's average teacher salary = Arts Access Fund disbursement amount
Do charter schools receive funds?
Yes, charter schools that enroll Portland K-5 students and whose catchment overlaps with the City of Portland’s geographical boundaries receive funds according to the funding formula. Charter schools with less than 500 Portland K-5 students receive funds on a pro rata basis based on the number of students attending the school.
How are the grants distributed?
Any funds remaining after collection costs, disbursements to school districts and charter schools, and the City’s arts education coordination allotment are subtracted are distributed as grants to local arts organizations. Grants, distributed through the Office of Arts & Culture, are given to both expand access to the arts and to support general operating expenses.
Where can I see Arts Access Fund collections and disbursements over time?
The City's Revenue Bureau administers the Arts Access Fund, and they've got a table showing Arts Access Fund revenues, collection costs, and disbursements over time—beginning with the 2013 fiscal year, which was the first year the Arts EducationTax was collected (for 2012).
The chart is updated over time, so to see the most current, visit the Revenue Division's Arts Tax: Collections, Disbursements, and Costs webpage, scroll down to the "General Information" section, and click on the "Arts Education and Access Fund Revenues, Collection Costs, and Disbursements link. That'll open the latest version of the chart as a PDF.
When and how do Portlanders pay their share of the Arts Access Fund?
The Arts Education Tax is due on the same day that federal and state income tax is due. Portlanders file a separate return with the City of Portland. Find more information on Arts EducationTax filing and payment, visit the Department of Revenue’s website.
Who provides oversight?
The Arts Access Fund Oversight Committee is a volunteer committee charged with reviewing expenditures, progress, and outcomes of the Arts Access Fund and reporting their findings annually to City Council.
What is the arts education framework?
When implemented in full starting in the 2026-27 school year, the arts education framework will provide a way to define and assess the conditions necessary for an excellent elementary arts education, the framework will track conditions and structures including staffing, budgets, instructional minutes, materials, and more.
The framework will add a layer of transparency that speaks directly to how Arts Access Fund dollars are being utilized to deliver on the promises of the original Arts Education Tax ballot initiative—which include making an arts education accessible to every elementary school student in Portland.
Is the Arts Education Tax scheduled to sunset in the future?
Currently there is not a plan to sunset the Arts Education Tax. Like other taxes and laws, it could be revised or eliminated in the future.
For schools and educators
How does my district use the funds?
To see how Arts Access Fund dollars are used at your district, check out the Arts Access Fund Oversight Committee's annual oversight reports to City Council. They provide details on how the funds are used by each of Portland's school districts. In the future, our arts education framework dashboard will make this information readily available to educators and members of the public. In the meantime, reach out to your district for more details.
Where can I find other funding resources for arts educators?
We’ve put together a list of funding resources, and we welcome any additional suggestions you have for inclusion.
How can I grow in community with other arts educators in Portland?
Look out for quarterly emails from the Office of Arts & Culture’s Dawn Isaacs, the Arts Education Program Manager, to learn about opportunities to gather, share best practices, and have your work highlighted. If you’re not receiving it already, please reach out to Dawn at dawn.isaacs@portlandoregon.gov to be added to the list.
Additionally, you can subscribe to the Office of Arts & Culture’s monthly newsletter to stay updated on the latest news and information coming out of the City of Portland.
How does the FTE allocation to school districts work?
The City of Portland distributes funds to the districts, and the districts use the funds for elementary arts FTE.
How do we know that schools are using funds for the intended purpose?
The Office of Arts & Culture collects data from the school districts and shares it with the Arts Access Fund Oversight Committee. Both the office and the oversight committee ensure districts are using funds for elementary arts FTE. All districts receiving funds are using the funds for elementary arts FTE.
Are there funds available for materials, supplies, and/or showcases?
Districts are restricted to only use Arts Access Fund dollars for arts FTE.
Where can I find an Arts Access Fund logo?
When creating materials that require an Arts Access Fund logo, school administrators and educators should use the fund logo in conjunction with the Office of Arts & Culture logo. That logo lock-up can be downloaded here.
For grantee organizations
Where can I find an Arts Access Fund logo?
When creating materials that require an Arts Access Fund logo, grantee organizations should use the fund logo in conjunction with the Office of Arts & Culture logo. That logo lock-up can be downloaded here.