News and notices

Portland's $35 arts tax: payment due April 15th, marking a decade of support

This year marks a decade of the Arts Education and Access Fund, or "arts tax," which has raised more than $124 million since Portlanders said yes to the $35-per-year income tax - and yes to funding arts education for every public elementary school child in Portland.

April 12, 2024 12:00 pm News article

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Commissioner Ryan proposes draft policy criteria for review of public art and monuments

Commissioner Ryan’s draft policy proposal creates a complaint system for public art, and defines a process for its review. The public is invited to provide feedback over a four-week comment period.

January 30, 2024 10:09 pm News article

City Arts Program opens competitive bidding process for small grant administration services

The City of Portland is seeking proposals for public arts grant management and may award up to six contracts for the administration of $1.4 million annually in grants to individual artists and arts organizations. A pre-proposal meeting will be held on Jan. 9 and proposals are due Feb. 1, 2024.

January 5, 2024 2:00 pm

Iconic elk statue will return to downtown Portland

The City's beloved Thompson Elk has been fully restored and safely stored since it was damaged during protests in 2020.

Updated December 13, 2023 1:30 pm News article

Community-led vision for Portland Parks & Recreation’s Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center (IFCC) moves forward

Artists selected for inaugural Grant and Residency program at IFCC, proposed to be a center for Black arts and culture; feasibility study planned

Updated October 13, 2023 10:16 am News article

Working Proactively to Elevate the Role of Arts + Culture in the City of Portland

Updated August 13, 2023 11:12 pm News article

City embraces community-driven recommendations, receives grant to advance Portland Monuments Project

A significant investment by the Mellon Foundation enables the City of Portland to move forward with recommendations on an inclusive community engagement process and determine the future of Portland’s monuments.

July 20, 2023 7:45 am News article

Report: Public Engagement with Portland's Monuments and Memorials

The report from a committee convened by Lewis & Clark College includes recommendations for how the City should evaluate current and future monuments.

June 21, 2023 7:21 am Blog post

Portland Monuments Project moves forward with support from the Mellon Foundation

The $350,000 grant award is part of the Mellon Foundation's $250 million initiative to foster a more complete telling of who we are as a nation.

June 19, 2023 10:12 am Blog post

How to pay your 2022 Portland arts tax

The Arts Education and Access Fund has raised $112 million to support arts and culture in Portland since 2012. The City of Portland collects the $35-per-year tax from Portland residents who earn at least $1,000 per year. The fee is due April 18, 2023 and can be paid online.

March 23, 2023 12:00 pm News article