RACC Press Releases

16 schools that are part of the Multnomah County SUN (Schools Uniting Neighborhoods) Program will receive $10,909 in grants from the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) to help pay for after-school arts activities and curriculum-rich artist residencies. Awards were determined by a community panel review process, which ranked proposals based on school demographics, geographic equity, and connection with other school activities. Schools receiving this "SUN Arts" support in 2005 include:

Alice Ott M.S. - Art Camp $744
Buckman E.S. - Summer Art Camp $656
Clarendon E.S. - Mexican Dance Residency, African Dance Residency $744
East Gresham Grade School - Mexican Folkloric Dance Residency $750
Faubion E.S. - Singing/Instrumental Residency $394
George M.S. - Drumming Residency, Creative Writing $744
Hall E.S. - Mexican Folkloric Dance Residency, Mural Residency $735
James John E.S. - Theater Residency $750
Kelly E.S. - Summer Arts Camp $750
LynchView E.S. - African Dance Residency, Visual Art Residency $677
Markham E.S. - Ceramic Tile Mural Residency $691
Marshall H.S. - Hip Hop Dance Residency $750
Marysville E.S.- African Dance Residency $704
Ockley Green M.S. - Mural Residency $744
Rigler E.S. - Family Arts Night $700
Robert Gray M.S.- Circus Skills Residency $376

Multnomah County's Schools Uniting Neighborhoods program, which now serves 46 different sites throughout the County, was established in 1999 to help students and communities succeed by offering before and after school programs focusing on academics, recreation and enrichment.

The Regional Arts & Culture Council has administered the SUN Arts component since 1999, granting as much as $50,000 per year for before-school and after-school arts programs. Budget cuts at the County level over the past few years have virtually eliminated the program. However, this year Multnomah County and RACC worked together to retain a small grants program that helps fund the most vital arts activities occurring in these SUN Schools – programs that can benefit the surrounding neighborhoods as well as the children themselves. To help facilitate high quality arts programming and proven educational value, schools receiving these grants utilize artists from the RACC Neighborhood Arts Program Roster, the Young Audiences Educator's Guide, or through another referral that is reviewed by RACC.

Through vision, leadership and service the Regional Arts & Culture Council works to integrate arts and culture in all aspects of community life.
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