Arts education

The City of Portland is a proud supporter of arts education for all. Whether it's funding arts teachers in our K-12 public schools or community arts organizations for adults, we believe part of what makes our city unique is a public commitment to nurturing our creative spirit.

Arts Access Fund

View full size image of Arts Access Fund collage with theatre masks, a sock puppet, watercolor paints, and a ballet shoe

Funded by an annual income tax of $35 per adult, the Arts Access Fund supports arts and music education in K-5 schools and grants to local nonprofit organizations.

Funds are distributed based on student population to hire arts or music teachers for kindergarten through fifth grade students at the six districts in the city: Portland Public, David Douglas, Centennial, Parkrose, Reynolds and Riverdale. The Office of Arts & Culture allocates up to 3% of net revenues to help coordinate arts education services and outcomes across Portland's six school districts.

The Arts Access Fund also powers Arts & Culture's General Operating Support grants, which provides crucial—direct and flexible—funding to 80 nonprofit arts organizations in Portland annually.

Learn more about the Arts Access Fund