Accept 2018-2022 Arts Education and Access Fund Impact Report
Letter from Commissioner Ryan:
To my fellow Portlanders,
I am delighted to present the following report, summarizing insights and recommendations from the Arts Education & Access Fund (AEAF) Oversight Committee (AOC) regarding the Arts and Education Access Fund (previously known as the Arts Tax) for Fiscal Years 2018-22. Since inception, the AEAF Oversight Committee has prepared yearly reports to City Council. This report serves as a compilation of the AOC's findings and recommendations spanning from fiscal years 2018 to 2022. Yes, we are the City that works and we are catching up!
As the Portland City Commissioner overseeing Culture & Livability, it is my firm belief that access to the arts and quality education should not be privileges limited to a few, but should instead be fundamental rights afforded to all our children.
During this five-year period, Portlanders made significant investments in the Arts Education & Access Fund, channeling more than $56M in taxpayer funding to ensure access to arts education for every child, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status. Furthermore, the Arts Education & Access Fund played a vital role in providing provides grants to artists and arts organizations supporting a wide range of performances, exhibits, lectures, and community events, expanding arts access for communities of color, veterans, artists and audiences with disabilities, and underserved neighborhoods.
This report underscores the transformative impact of the Arts Education & Access Fund, highlighting both the progress made and the challenges that lie ahead. By investing in arts education, we invest in the comprehensive development of our children, nurturing creativity, critical thinking, empathy, and cultural understanding. The arts empower our youth to express their unique voices, cultivate their imaginations, and acquire the skills necessary for success in an ever-evolving world. While not all children will choose careers in the arts, the skills acquired through artistic education are invaluable. Ensuring access to arts education equips our students, the leaders of tomorrow, with the creative critical thinking skill necessary to tackle complex challenges in any industry.
I am incredibly grateful for the unwavering dedication and collaboration of educators, artists, community leaders, and parents who have made this initiative possible. Together, we can cultivate an inclusive arts education system that embraces diversity, promotes equity, and fosters a lifelong love for the arts.
As an artist, passionate advocate, and longtime patron of the arts, I present this report with humility as the City's Arts Commissioner. My sincere intention is to offer Portlanders a glimpse into the profound impact that a $35 contribution has on fostering an inclusive arts education for every child in our community.
Yours in service to our vibrant arts and creative community,
Commissioner Dan Ryan
Official Record (Efiles)
Impact Statement
Purpose of Proposed Legislation and Background Information
The Arts Education & Access Fund (AEAF) Impact Report, as presented by Portland City Commissioner Dan Ryan, outlines the profound impact of the Arts Education & Access Fund on the Portland community for Fiscal Years 2018-22. During this period, the fund channeled more than $56 million in taxpayer funding to support arts education and expand arts access, with the following notable impacts:
Increased Access to Arts Education: Enabling students to develop creativity, critical thinking, empathy, and cultural understanding through artistic education.
Support for Diverse Communities: The Arts Education & Access Fund has played a vital role in providing grants to artists and arts organizations that support a wide range of performances, exhibits, lectures, and community events. These initiatives have expanded arts access for communities of color, veterans, artists, audiences with disabilities, and underserved neighborhoods, promoting inclusivity and diversity in the arts.
Community Collaboration: The success of the Arts Education & Access Fund is a result of the dedicated collaboration of educators, artists, community leaders, and parents who have worked together to make arts education accessible to all. This collaborative effort reflects the commitment of the Portland community to fostering an inclusive arts education system.
This report from Commissioner Dan Ryan underscores the importance of continued investment in arts education and the commitment to promoting equity and diversity within the arts community. It serves as a testament to the city's dedication to providing quality education and access to the arts as fundamental rights for all children in Portland.
Financial and Budgetary Impacts
This action does not amend the budget and does not create or eliminate staff positions.
Community Impacts and Community Involvement
Since the inception of the AEAF, Portlanders have made substantial investments in the Arts Education & Access Fund, directing over $112 million in taxpayer funding towards ensuring access to arts education for every child, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status. Additionally, the Arts Education & Access Fund has played a crucial role in awarding grants to artists and arts organizations supporting a wide spectrum of performances, exhibits, lectures, and community events, increasing access to the arts for communities of color, veterans, artists, audiences with disabilities, and underserved neighborhoods.
This report underscores the transformative impact of the Arts Education Access Fund, highlighting both the progress achieved and the challenges that lie ahead. By prioritizing investments in arts education, we are fostering the holistic development of our children, nurturing qualities such as creativity, critical thinking, empathy, and cultural understanding. The arts empower our youth to express their unique voices, nurture their imaginations, and acquire the skills necessary for success in an ever-evolving world.
100% Renewable Goal
Not applicable.