The Portland Monuments Project is an ongoing effort to provide and create space for Portlanders to reimagine and reinterpret the role of public art and monuments. A City of Portland-led initiative, the project is managed by the Office of Arts & Culture and was created in response to public calls for greater historical accuracy and broader community representation within the City’s public art collection.
Inspired by Lewis & Clark’s 2023 report (“Public Engagement with Portland’s Monuments and Memorials”), the Portland Monuments Project is supported by a three-year, $350,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation. With a broad coalition of project partners, core areas of focus include public engagement, historical research, and community-informed education and storytelling around monuments toppled or removed in recent years.
Portland Monuments Project partner organizations contribute this work through a variety of means, from hosting multi-day festivals and symposiums to providing decision-making support and space for vital community conversations.
Portland Monuments Project partner organizations
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde is a sovereign tribal nation dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage, traditions, and well-being of its members. Rooted in the rich history of over 30 tribes and bands from Western Oregon, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde have played a crucial role in the region’s cultural and environmental stewardship.
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation protects the rights and heritage of its members while preserving cultural heritage, advocating for sovereignty, and promoting the social welfare of their members through education and economic development initiatives that address the disparities experienced by Indigenous people.
Converge 45
Converge 45 is a platform for artists and creatives in Portland and showcases its commitment to racial justice through thoughtfully curated art exhibitions and educational programs that challenge and reflect on societal norms and injustices and amplify underrepresented voices in contemporary art.
Literary Arts
Literary Arts is a vibrant advocate for diversity and inclusivity in Oregon's literary scene.
Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association preserves the estate of George Washington and uses this historic setting to promote racial justice and equity through educational programs that address the complex history of the United States, including the experiences of enslaved people at Mount Vernon.
Native Arts & Cultures Foundation
The Native Arts & Cultures Foundation supports the revitalization and perpetuation of Indigenous arts and cultures across the United States. Headquartered in Portland, NACF uplifts Native voices and creativity through grantmaking, storytelling, and artist-led initiatives that foster cultural equity, healing, and Indigenous self-determination.
Native American Youth & Family Center (NAYA)
The Native American Youth & Family Center is a cornerstone organization in Portland, committed to fostering the well-being and advancement of Native American youth and families through cultural and educational programs.
Oregon Black Pioneers
Oregon Black Pioneers is a historical organization dedicated to preserving and presenting the experiences and contributions of Black people in Oregon.
Oregon Historical Society
The Oregon Historical Society preserves our state’s history and makes it accessible to everyone in ways that advance knowledge and inspire curiosity about all the people, places, and events that have shaped Oregon.
Portland Community College (PCC)
Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon. PCC supports student success by delivering access to quality education while advancing economic development and promoting sustainability in a collaborative culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA)
Portland Institute for Contemporary Art serves as a catalyst for the visual arts in Portland, emphasizing inclusivity and diversity. It actively engages with social issues, particularly racial justice, through provocative exhibitions and programming.
Portland Parks Foundation (PPF)
Portland Parks Foundation advocates for equitable access to public spaces and parks in Portland.
Portland State University (PSU)
Portland State University focuses on developing a curriculum that enhances cultural competencies and supports equitable student success.
Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC)
The Regional Arts & Culture Council fosters equity, diversity, and inclusion in the Portland arts scene through its strategic grantmaking initiatives.
ReImagine Oregon
ReImagine Oregon is a dynamic policy reform initiative committed to dismantling systemic racism across various sectors in Oregon.
Seeding Justice
Seeding Justice is a nonprofit organization founded in 1976 and is the region’s largest funder of grassroots organizing and community-led grantmaking.
Soul District Business Association
The Soul District Business Association is a cornerstone of Portland's North/Northeast business community, fostering economic and business development since 1977.
York Collective
York Collective is a multidisciplinary creative team working to honor the legacy of York, the only Black member of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Their work centers York's legacy, memory and public storytelling through collaborative art, performance, and historical reinterpretation rooted in community-based practice.