Arts Education & Access Fund Oversight Committee

About the Arts Education & Access Fund

In November 2012, Portland voters approved Measure 26-146 which imposed a $35 income tax on themselves to provide arts teachers for all K-5 students in the City of Portland and to provide financial support to local arts organizations. 

The Arts Education & Access Fund (AEAF) is a collaboration between Portland’s residents, the city, the school districts, and the Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC). The City assesses and collects the tax and distributes it to the school districts and RACC pursuant to the City Code and Administrative Rule provisions.

You can read their 2019 Annual Report for City Council here:

Learn more about the tax, read frequently asked questions, and summary of arts grants tax awards here

Arts Education & Access Fund Oversight Committee

The Arts Education & Access Fund (AEAF) Oversight Committee is charged with reviewing the AEAF expenditures, progress, and outcomes and reporting its findings to the City Council annually.

The AEAF Oversight Committee advises City Council on a perpetual basis.

Total seats available: 20

Term length: Two years

Volunteer position description: Once appointed by the City Council, AEAF Oversight Committee members are responsible for:

• Attending and actively participating in Committee meetings, and Sub-Committee meetings as appropriate.
• Interacting with Committee members and appropriate City agencies in the fulfillment of the Committee’s charge.
• Reviewing background materials to understand the matters and issues relevant to its work.
• Voicing concerns directly, promptly, and constructively.
• Offering technical expertise when appropriate.

Bureau Host: Office of Management and Finance (OMF) - Revenue and Financial Services

Contact: Tyler Wallace, 503-865-2450

AEAF Oversight Committee is Currently Recruiting New Members!

The following information highlights the requirements and recommendations for individuals who are interested in joining the AEAF Oversight Committee.

Portland residents with an interest in serving on the AEAF Oversight Committee should be prepared to make a two-year commitment.

• We are looking for individuals who come from every quadrant of the city.
• Would love to have committee members or attendees that represent teachers at the 6 school districts receiving AEAF funding.
• People from large and small organizations that receive AEAF funding.
• Working artists, leaders in the regional art community.
• Diversity in the makeup of our committee as a goal of the AEAF Oversight Committee is to ensure all communities, including Historically Underserved communities have a voice.

Individuals who join the committee are encouraged to commit to the following:

1. Attend and actively participate in Quarterly Committee meetings, and Sub-Committee meetings as appropriate. Meetings can be accessed by Zoom or another virtual platform if transportation to a meeting downtown is an accessibility issue.
2. Interact with Committee members and appropriate City agencies in the fulfillment of the Committee’s charge.
3. Review background materials to understand the matters and issues relevant to its work.
4. Voice concerns directly, promptly, and constructively.
5. Offer technical expertise when appropriate.
6. Make recommendations to Council Members from reports annually
7. Recruit new members when committee term is coming to a close

If you are interested in joining the AEAF Oversight Committee, please send a CV and a statement about why you are interested by May 10, 2021 to aeafpdx@gmail.com