RACC unveils new “Arts Equity” grant opportunity; letters of interest due February 24

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PORTLAND, ORE — With funding from Multnomah County and the City of Portland’s voter-approved Arts Education and Access Fund, the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) will invest a total of $100,000 in nonprofit organizations that are providing arts and culture programs and services for marginalized communities, including geographically underserved neighborhoods; communities of color, immigrants, and refugees; persons with disabilities; LGBTQ  communities; and other under-represented populations.

Nonprofit organizations that are based in Portland and/or Multnomah County are encouraged to submit proposals for artistic programs and projects occurring between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017. To begin the application process, organizations should submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) online at racc.culturegrants.org by February 24 at 5:00 p.m. Applicants whose LOIs best meet the objectives of this grant program will be invited to submit a full application in March.

Grant awards will be announced in May, and will range from $1,000 to $7,000 each. The types of activities that RACC intends to fund include, but are not limited to:

  • Community events that highlight and promote the art and culture of a particular community
  • Events or programs that give underserved artists increased outlets to promote and market their work
  • Programs that provide technical assistance and other learning opportunities for artists in culturally specific communities
  • Arts programming within underrepresented communities

“In terms of audience and impact, these new Arts Equity Grants are similar to the Expanding Cultural Access grants that RACC has funded for the last three years,” said RACC grants officer Helen Daltoso. “After piloting these grants for the last three years, we’ve formalized the program, doubled the budget and improved the online application process,” Daltoso explained. All guidelines and application materials are available online atracc.culturegrants.org.

RACC provides one-on-one assistance to applicants as needed, including feedback on draft applications and letters of interest; contact Quinn MacNichol at 503- 823-2928 or qmacnichol@racc.org for more information.

RACC will also host three free information sessions to help community members learn more about the Arts Equity Grant and how to apply:

  • Thursday, January 28, 3-5pm at RACC’s offices, 411 NW Park Ave, Suite 101, Portland
  • Thursday, February 4, 3-5pm at Gresham City Hall Council Chambers, 1333 Eastman Parkway, Gresham
  • An additional information session in East Portland is being scheduled and information will be posted atracc.culturegrants.org as soon as it is available.

To RSVP for an information session, contact Quinn MacNichol at qmacnichol@racc.org. For more information about the Arts Equity Grant, and a summary of other grant programs and deadlines, visit racc.culturegrants.org.

Key deadline: February 24, 2016 at 5:00 pm – LOI due online at racc.culturegrants.org.

How Arts Equity Grants are funded:

  • $50,000 is funded by Multnomah County, which increased its general fund investment to RACC in FY16 for the purpose of expanding arts access and support for East County and other underserved populations.
  • $50,000 is funded by The Arts Education and Access Fund (AEAF), approved by Portland voters in November, 2012. The AEAF funds at least one art or music teacher in every public elementary school in Portland, and funds RACC to bring arts, culture and creativity to life for every Portland resident. For more information, visit www.racc.org/aeaf.

About RACC: The Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) was established in 1995 and is funded by public and private partners to serve artists, arts organizations, schools and residents throughout Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties. RACC provides grants for artists, nonprofit organizations and schools; manages an internationally acclaimed public art program; raises money and awareness for the arts through workplace giving and other programs; convenes forums, networking events and other community gatherings; provides workshops and other forms of technical assistance for artists; and integrates the arts into K-8 curriculum through The Right Brain Initiative. Online at www.racc.org.