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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.

News article


Share input on greater Portland's regional arts and culture plan

How should greater Portland support arts and culture over the next 10 years? The City of Portland has been collaborating with other government agencies in the tri-county region to develop new goals and strategies, reflected in a draft plan.

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.


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.

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.

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.

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.

News article


Regional Cultural Plan seeks your voice

Residents across Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas Counties have an opportunity this spring to help set the vision for the next generation of arts and culture in our communities. Attend a virtual discussion, host a community conversation or take a survey about culture and creativity April 30.

News article


City launches Portland Monuments Project

A thorough and inclusive process will help Portland City Council determine the future of monuments in the City.  

Blog post



City Arts Program releases 2021-22 report

The following report from the City Arts Program was approved by Council on December 15, 2022.

Updated News article


Commissioner Rubio Statement on the Need and Process for a Public Discussion on Monuments

Commissioner Carmen Rubio today announced a new partnership, led by Lewis & Clark College, to carry out a public engagement process related to the five toppled and/or removed monuments during the 2020 social justice uprising and the city’s public art decision making policies.  

Press release



Cultural Planning Committees and Consultants

Meet the community members and consultants who are leading a comprehensive cultural planning process for the Portland metro region.

News article


Our Creative Future: Co-creating an arts and cultural plan for all

Over the next year, Portlanders will be invited to shape the future of arts and culture in our region.

News article


City Council to vote on amendment to Arts Education and Access Income Tax code

An administrative change to Portland’s Arts Education and Access Fund would direct the City Arts Program to manage arts education coordination for Portland’s six school districts, improve oversight of voter investments and strengthen collaboration between school districts and among arts teachers.

Updated News article


Portland Creative Laureate Joaquin Lopez presents storytelling event at Multnomah Arts Center on September 10 & 11

"Pentimento" will feature the life and times of community leader Linda Jaramillo in her own words. Audiences will listen to the formative experiences that shaped her resilience, Latina identity, and self-determination, the qualities that distinguish her as a community leader today in Portland.

News article


Commissioner Rubio and City Arts Program Announce Grants to Cultural Organizations for Resiliency Support

Responding to COVID-19’s harm to historically under-served communities, Arts & Culture Commissioner Carmen Rubio and the City Arts Program announced the recipients of grants to reinvigorate community-based artistic programming.

Press release


RACC launches economic impact study

"Arts & Economic Prosperity 6" will document in unprecedented scope and detail the economic power of arts and culture in Portland and throughout the metro region.

News article


As 2022 deadline approaches, Portland arts tax celebrates a decade – and $100 million – of investment

A decade after being approved by voters, the Arts Education and Access Fund has raised $100 million to support arts and culture in Portland. The City of Portland collects the $35-per-year tax from Portland residents who earn at least $1,000 per year.

News article