The City of Portland’s Arts Access Fund is powered by an annual income tax of $35—known as the Arts Tax. The fund supports arts education, inclusive of visual and performing arts, in elementary schools across town, as well as grants for artists and arts organizations.
With tax season underway, we know that Portlanders might be thinking about the Arts Tax. What’s the impact of the Arts Access Fund, and why is it worth celebrating? That’s what we’ll dig into in this article, and we hope you’ll consider joining in on the festivities planned for the coming months.
What is the impact of the Arts Access Fund?
Arts Access Fund dollars are distributed based on student population to hire arts teachers for K-5 students at the six districts in the city: Portland Public, David Douglas, Centennial, Parkrose, Reynolds, and Riverdale, as well as charter schools. Schools receive enough funding to pay for arts teacher per 500 elementary school students.
For more than a decade, Portlanders have demonstrated their commitment to elementary students through providing equitable access to an arts education. Before the 2013-14 school year, prior to the Arts Access Fund providing funds to Portland’s schools, there were 31 full-time arts teachers and educators serving students across six districts. In the 2023-24 school year, there were 111 full-time arts teachers and educators—buoyed by the funding made available through the Arts Access Fund. That’s a 258% increase!
After the school districts receive their allotment from the City of Portland’s Revenue Division, the remaining Arts Access Fund dollars are distributed as part of the Office of Arts & Culture’s grantmaking programs, General Operating Support and Small Grants for Artists & Arts Organizations.
For the 2024-25 school year, the Arts Access Fund will send $7.8 million to Portland schools.
In their own words: How access to the arts impacts Portland students
The Arts Tax was established in 2012, and the first disbursement of Arts Access Fund dollars went to Portland’s school districts during the 2013-14 school year.
In 2024, film students at Franklin High School—who were kindergarteners when those first disbursements went out—created a series of videos reflecting on what access to an arts education meant to them.
Meet Addie, a student at David Douglas.
You’re invited: Celebrate Portland’s commitment to arts education
In the coming months, the City of Portland, the Office of Arts & Culture, Portland schools, and their partners will host a number of events to celebrate the impact of the Arts Access Fund and Portlanders’ commitment to providing students with access to an arts education.We hope you’ll join us!
Student art exhibit at Literary Arts
- Opening celebration: March 16, 2024 at 4 p.m.
- Exhibit dates: March 11-31, 2025
- Location: 716 SE Grand Ave., Portland, OR 97214
Based on the work of Philadelphia-based Nigerian American abstract artist Odili Donald Odita, students from northeast Portland’s Reynolds School District created a body of work emphasizing abstract triangles. On display through the end of March, we hope you’ll join us at Literary Arts in Portland’s central eastside for a celebratory opening of the exhibit.
Learn more about the Literary Arts student art exhibit
Student art installation at Goat Blocks
- Exhibit dates: March 12-April 30, 2025
- Location: Goat Blocks, courtyard storefront, 975 SE 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97214
As you stroll through Goat Blocks in the Portland's Central Eastside neighborhood, look out for a storefront student art exhibit comprised of collaborative circle paintings. Created by students at Rieke Elementary, first through fifth graders worked together in small groups to create these seven impressive, larger-scale works.
The began by viewing and discussing how circles have been used symbolically in art around the world since ancient times. Next, they identified ways they could collaborate to be successful, including sharing, listening to, and respecting each others' ideas and making sure that every group member felt included. Students were introduced to elements and principles of art, including contrast, repetition, pattern, unity, and emphasis. After everyone's paintings were completed, students gave each other feedback on their work and shared where they saw the principles of design represented.
Reflecting on their work, one first grader wrote, "I learned you can get better results by working together."
Student art exhibit at The Portland Building
- Opening celebration: March 13, 2025 at 5 p.m.
- Exhibit dates: March 13-April 30, 2025
- Location: The Portland Building, gallery space (floor 2), 420 SW Main St, Portland, OR 97204
The Office of Arts & Culture is excited to host student artworks at The Portland Building in celebration of the City’s Arts in Schools Month in March and the impact of the Arts Access Fund on Portland’s students.
Works from three schools will be represented at the exhibit, including sculptures by students at Scott Elementary, textile works by students at Le Monde French Immersion Charter School, and drawings and paper-based art created by middle school students at Sunnyside. Join the Arts & Culture team, teachers, and students at the opening celebration for this exhibit on March 13, or stop by The Portland Building anytime through April 30.
In addition to the student artworks exhibit, dozens of pieces of the City’s public art collection are on permanent display on the first and second floors of The Portland Building, which are free and accessible for Portlanders to view anytime.
2025 HeART of Portland student arts showcase at Portland Art Museum
Courtesy of Portland Art Museum
- Opening celebration: April 16, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
- Closing celebration: April 27, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Exhibition dates: April 16-27, 2025
- Location: Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park Ave., Portland, OR 97205
A love letter to Portlanders for supporting the Arts Tax, the HeART of Portland is an annual visual arts exhibition representing K-12 student artworks from across the city. This year’s exhibition will feature 100+ student works highlighting the diversity of arts offerings across Portland Public Schools. As part of the exhibition’s opening and closing celebrations, on April 16 and 27, students will participate in dance, music, and theater performances.
As part of Breaking the Grid, inspired by PAM’s Psychedelic Rock Posters and Fashion of the 1960s exhibit, PPS teachers asked students to create posters expressing their hopes and dreams for their communities. The exhibition will give Portlanders a chance to see the students’ responses, as well as participate by creating their own posters at Miller Family Free Day on April 27.
Learn more about the HeART of Portland
More important information to know
Don’t forget to pay your Arts Tax by April 15, 2025! Visit the Arts & Culture website for more information and frequently asked questions about the Arts Access Fund, including how distributions are determined and who provides oversight. For questions about the Arts Access Fund, email us at arts@portlandoregon.gov. To stay updated on news and information coming out of the Office of Arts & Culture, including arts education and the Arts Access Fund, sign up for our monthly newsletter.