Appoint and reappoint members to the Arts Access Fund Oversight Committee for terms to expire December 31, 2028
TO THE COUNCIL:
In November 2012, Portland voters approved Measure 26-146, establishing a $35 income tax to support arts education and access in the City of Portland. This tax funds arts teachers for all K-5 students, provides grants for arts organizations, and supports programs ensuring arts access for K-12 students and underserved communities.
The Arts Access Fund is a collaborative effort among Portland’s residents, the City, local school districts, and grant-receiving organizations. The City manages the collection and allocation of the tax, distributing funds to school districts and arts organizations in accordance with City Code and Administrative Rule provisions.
The Arts Access Fund Oversight Committee (AOC) is responsible for reviewing expenditures, tracking progress, and assessing outcomes of the fund. The AOC reports its findings annually to the City Council.
Committee Appointees:
- Ellen Thomas – Reappointment, 2nd Term, term ends December 31, 2028
- Hana Layson – Reappointment, 2nd Term, term ends December 31, 2028
- Jessica Laguna – Reappointment, 2nd Term, term ends December 31, 2028
- Leah Faure – Reappointment, 2nd Term, term ends December 31, 2028
- Andre Middleton – Appointment, 1st Term, term ends December 31, 2028
Ellen Thomas, Reappointment, 2nd Term, term ends 2028
Ellen Thomas is a resident of NE Portland (district 3), former PPS Grant cluster parent and arts professional who has worked in the Arts/Culture/Heritage sector for nearly four decades, many of them as Education Director for the Northwest Film Center of the Portland Art Museum, where she focused on programs which empowered K-12 students and adults to develop their voices through filmmaking. Ellen has planned, implemented, and evaluated collaborative Career Technical Education arts programs with various school districts and arts organizations representing and serving underserved communities. She has extensive experience as a grant recipient and grant review panelist for the Regional Arts & Culture Council, Oregon Arts Commission, NEA and other entities, and a working familiarity with the Oregon Content Standards in the Arts, and K-12 teacher and artist professional development. Ellen holds an MA from the University of Oregon in Film, and currently work with film artists to promote and distribute their films.
Statement of Interest: My interest in continuing to serve on the oversight committee of the Arts Access Fund stems from a life-long personal passion for the arts (film, music, creating writing) and complete devotion to the idea that the arts can change lives, something I have witnessed personally and professionally for years. I have served for the past three years on the Arts Access Fund grants sub-committee where I am working to help design approaches to quantitative and qualitative data collection which will show clearly how Arts Access Fund dollars are positively impacting our children and community, work I plan to continue in a new term.
Hana Layson, Reappointment, 2nd Term, term ends 2028
Hana Layson serves as the Head of Youth and Educator Programs at the Portland Art Museum. In the ten years that she has worked in Learning and Community Partnerships at PAM, she has embraced two, related priorities: one, to make the museum a welcoming and inclusive space for students of color and other people whom the museum has historically underserved and, two, to create leadership opportunities at the museum for both youth and educators—opportunities for them to claim the space as their own and create the kinds of experiences they want to have. These priorities have led to powerful programs, such as the annual POWER UP celebration of LGBTQIA youth, an active Teacher Advisory Council, and an ongoing collaboration with Portland Public Schools in the HeART of Portland K-12 Arts Showcase. This work includes building relationships with teaching artists as well, who facilitate culturally responsive workshops at the museum and in the schools, connecting experiences with art at the museum to the students’ own artmaking and their school communities.
Statement of Interest: I am writing to express my interest in continuing to serve on the Arts Access Fund Oversight Committee. I care deeply that Portland youth receive an equitable and comprehensive arts education and I appreciate the essential role that the Arts Access Fund plays in making that education a reality. Through my position as the Head of Youth and Educator Programs at the Portland Art Museum, I have a great deal of experience collaborating with teachers and district arts leaders to develop equity-centered arts education programs. I also have a strong sense of the arts landscape in Portland and the important contributions that individual artists and arts organizations make to both student and teacher learning.
Jessica Lagunas, Reappointment, 2nd Term, term ends 2028
Jessica Lagunas was born in Mexico and has lived in Portland, Oregon, since 2004. She is a certified art life coach and a teaching artist. For several years, she has been the Creative Director of the collective IDEAL PDX, where she strengthened the growing network of Latino artists from all disciplines. She created unique opportunities for artists to socialize, receive professional and artistic training, and showcase their work. Additionally, she is the Studio Latino manager for Latino Network's Arts and Culture program, which currently serves nine public schools in the PPS and Reynolds district areas, from kindergarten to eighth grade, in partnership with the SUN program. Lagunas integrates her artistic flair into arts education, combining it with her life coaching skills.
Statement of Interest: As a leader of color and a teaching artist, I aim to create opportunities for the arts and education system in the City of Portland and surrounding areas. My goal is to cultivate and expand the identities of minority communities with diverse traditions. Over the past two years, serving on this committee has allowed me to witness impactful changes in various aspects of arts and culture in our city. I am committed to supporting these positive changes in the Arts and Education.
Leah Faure, Reappointment, 2nd Term, term ends 2028
Leah Faure, being an artist, knows the community needs support, inspiration, and investment to thrive. Painting for over twenty years, she received her degree from Portland State University with a double major in Psychology. With Leah’s Artwork, she has completed four solo shows, many group shows, participated in three studio groups and taught for PCC community education. In 2018 she completed the Art in Leadership program through the RACC. It is an educational program about non-profits. Once a month the class would meet at a different non-profit and cover different educational topics, from legal issues with boards to equity. Her hope is to serve the volunteer art community in a new way, to apply her knowledge of nonprofits and to support the values of the arts in the greater Portland community. Volunteering at a variety of art programs is a priority in Leah’s life, from being on the staff for PDX Pop Now and The Portland Film Festival to one day assistance of events like the Portland book festival or Feast. Leah learned so much about organization, cooperation and focused brainstorming from being part of these groups. This work is an honor. These events, backbone of the arts, support and grow the arts. The council is an additional resource to expand her effort to support the arts community.
Statement of Interest: It has been an honor to serve on the Arts Education and Access Fund Oversight Committee. My hope is to continue to serve the arts community, to apply my knowledge of nonprofits and to support the values of the arts in the greater Portland community. I’ve been inspired by working together with other artists to complete shows. I am amazed by how quickly and eagerly students can apply what they learn. Putting together a show takes many hats, not stopping at ideas and inspiration but requiring promotion, discipline, budgeting, logistics, negotiation, and communication. I look forward to continuing my efforts to assist the arts community, applying my knowledge of the non-profit/educational system, and supporting the values I have adopted as an Artist.
Andre Middleton, Appointment, 1st Term, term ends 2028
André Middleton is a community engagement professional who has built a career by sharing his privilege and connecting community members with resources and opportunities. He used to work at RACC, is a founding board member and Executive Director of Friends of Noise, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth development through the production and curating of all-ages music concerts. André is a member of the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art Board of Directors, Art Workers for Equity. He is also an avid motorcyclist, a proud parent, and a staunch ally for marginalized and underserved people of our community.
Statement of Interest: It is my desire and intent to join the Arts Access Fund Oversight Committee. It is with a profound sense of humility that I ask to join those that have taken up the mantle of oversight of monies collected from taxpayers to be administered toward the betterment of our community via the arts. I have dedicated my life to the arts as a creative person and as an Arts administrator. I look forward to learning about this committee and acting in a fashion that demonstrates my comprehension of this esteemed cause.
Impact Statement
Purpose of Proposed Legislation and Background Information
Not applicable.
Financial and Budgetary Impacts
There is no direct financial impact. However, the Arts Access Fund Oversight Committee (AOC) is responsible for ensuring the proper implementation of the Arts Access Fund, reviewing expenditures, and publicly reporting its findings to the City Council on an annual basis.
Economic and Real Estate Development Impacts
This report does not have an impact the City’s Economic and Real Estate Development.
Community Impacts and Community Involvement
Per PCC 5.73.050, the City is required to appoint an oversight committee that reflects the diversity of Portland’s communities. This committee oversees the implementation of the Arts Access Fund, reviews expenditures, and reports findings to the City Council annually in a public record. In collaboration with the Office of Arts & Culture, committee members recruited a new appointee with an emphasis on representation from the city’s eastern school districts. The new member will represent the Parkrose School District on the committee.
100% Renewable Goal
This report does not impact the City’s climate action goals.
Financial and Budget Analysis
This action to re-appoint and appoint members to the Arts Access Fund Oversight Committee has no fiscal impact.