Dedicated Funding Initiative
RACC has found that local government funding for arts and culture (about $4.92 per capita in the City of Portland, and $2.40 per capita throughout the tri-county region), is about average compared to other cities in the United States, but lags significantly behind all other major West Coast cities – ranking behind Seattle, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento, and Los Angeles.
A more adequate level of funding will ensure a stable arts and cultural community,
which generates direct financial return through employment opportunities and
tourism revenue, while also enriching our children’s education and enhancing
the quality of life for our residents.
To reach a more appropriate level of funding that will help stabilize our arts
organizations, build a stronger cultural community, and fund some new creative
economy initiatives, RACC has identified the need for public funding totaling
$15 million per year.
To meet this goal, RACC and other art community leaders are exploring the
possibility of launching a Dedicated Funding Initiative, either regionally or
citywide. Currently, local government officials are being contacted to set the
community’s priorities for arts and culture and determine to what extent
this is a regional issue or a Portland issue. The public will also be polled
on the feasibility of launching such an initiative.
RACC seeks to determine the most appropriate course of action and provide a
recommendation to these government leaders, including a report on the most viable
mechanism to generate the amount of funding that is needed.
For updated information on the progress of this Dedicated Funding Initiative,
please continue to check this site.
RACC Staff to Contact
Jeff Hawthorne
Director of Community Affairs
503.823.5258
jhawthorne@racc.org
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