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Public Art Overview

Walkwave by Adam Kuby, 2006
A skateable entry walk to Pier Park Skatepark
City of Portland Percent for Art
Multnomah County Percent for Art

The RACC Public Art Program works with the public and private sectors to integrate art into communities that reflects a range of disciplines, media and thinking. Intrinsic to the program is the acquisition and care of publicly owned art that contributes to the region’s evolving and vibrant urban landscapes. The RACC Public Art Program includes artwork in the Permanent Public Art Collection created by the following programs: Percent for Art for the City of Portland and Multnomah County, the Portable Works Collection, the Visual Chronicle of Portland, and several Temporary Public Art Programs. RACC also runs the City of Portland's Mural Program. For other public regions or the private sector, RACC Management Services works around the country to create Public Art Master Plans, design public art programs, serve on Public Art Selection Panels, and manage artist selection processes.

For a copy of the Public Art Walking Tour Map produced by RACC and the Portland Oregon Visitors Association download Adobe Acrobat PDF DocumentPublic Art Walking Tour 2007(pdf) or have one sent to you by calling 503.823.5111 or emailing info@racc.org.

For information on artOBJECTS, an ongoing art program at Portland International Airport managed by RACC, go to Art at PDX.

For more background on the Public Art Program download Adobe Acrobat PDF DocumentRACC Public Art History and Goals (pdf-26KB)

For more information about the history of the Public Art Program, read Adobe Acrobat PDF DocumentGrowing A Public Art Program (pdf) by RACC Public Art Department in Summer 2005 SculpturesPacific Magazine.

For a list of Fabricators in the Portland area download Adobe Acrobat PDF DocumentFabricators List 2008 .

To join the Public Art listserve to receive Call to Artists notices via email, click here

To comment on the public art you view around the region, click here.

For other links for Public Art Opportunities, click here.


Other Public Art Program Activities

Public education, regional outreach and collection management are the mainstays of the Public Art Program. We connect with the general public through slide presentations, public art walking tours, exhibitions in the Public Art Gallery, and by providing resources for communities to develop public art programs. Our responsibilities encompass managing the public art collections of the City of Portland and Multnomah County, through accessioning, documentation, circulation, and maintenance. Other regional agencies such as the Port of Portland, the City of Gresham, Tri-Met, and Metro contract with RACC for public art program management.

Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC)

The Public Art Advisory Committee, comprised of a RACC board member, artists, architects, and arts professionals, is responsible for making recommendations to the full Regional Arts & Culture Council on all matters of public art. Among the committee’s responsibilities are overseeing the Public Art Program and developing policies and goals for the selection, placement and maintenance of artwork acquired through the Percent for Art program; reviewing new public art projects; recommending selection committee members; approving artist selections by project panels; considering donations of artwork to the City, County and Metro; reviewing proposed memorials; and promoting public education and advocacy.

Public Art Gallery
2nd Floor, Portland Building
1120 SW 5th Avenue

Public Art Gallery

The Public Art Gallery is located on the second floor of the Portland Building in downtown Portland. The exhibition provides a comprehensive overview of the region’s public art and its substantial impact on the environment. In addition to information on Portlandia and Michael Graves, the building’s architect, topics and artists featured in the exhibit include:

  • Artistic Process: Lucinda Parker; Dana Lynn Louis and Barbara Eiswerth
  • Architectural Integration and Design Team Opportunities: Robert Calvo; Ed Carpenter; Jim Hirshfield and Sonya Ishii; Larry Kirkland; Ronna Neuenschwander; Jochem Poensgen; Westside Light Rail Design Team
  • Art in the Landscape: Fernanda D’Agostino; Linda Wysong; Helen Lessick ; Linda K. Johnson
  • Art in the Neighborhood: Adriene Cruz; John Early; Marcia Donahue; Charlotte Lewis; Youth Arts
  • Art in Transit: Brian Borrello; Roslyn Hill; Valerie Otani; Lillian Pitt; Jerry Quenton
  • Temporary Public Art: Martin Caulley; Nan Curtis and Martin Houston; Kristy Edmunds; Harrell Fletcher; Jon Hammer; David Joyce; Steven Siegel; Linda Wysong

Other public art issues covered in the exhibition are re-siting artworks, gifts/donations, tributes, maintenance and the Visual Chronicle of Portland.

Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:30pm; closed on weekends and holidays. The gallery is free and open to the public. The Portland Building is located at 1120 SW 5th between Madison & Main in downtown Portland.

 

RACC Staff to Contact:

Eloise Damrosch
Executive Director
503.823.5400
edamrosch@racc.org

Kristin Law Calhoun
Public Art Manager
503.823.5401
kcalhoun@racc.org

Peggy Kendellen
Public Art Manager
503.823.4196
pkendellen@racc.org

Keith Lachowicz
Public Art Collections Registrar
503.823.5404
klachowicz@racc.org

William Rihel
Public Art Collections Preparator
503.823.5425,
wrihel@racc.org