Art can be seen just about every­where in the Portland region. From the University District and downtown area to the Pearl District, Lloyd District and Old Town/Chinatown, artistic expressions abound – from stunning sculptures, fountains, mosaics and murals to ornately adorned stair­ways and solar-powered illuminations.

This public art collection is no accident but rather evidence of a community-wide commit­ment to creating an enduring, uplifting, publicly owned legacy that’s accessible to everyone.

Artful Fundraising
Legislation called Percent for Art designates that at least 1 percent of capital construction budgets in all counties is used for the acquisition and care of public artwork. Portland and Multnomah County have raised their designations to 2 percent.

The collected money goes into a Public Art Trust Fund, which is admin­istered for Portland and Multnomah County by the nonprofit Regional Arts and Culture Council.

As a publicly funded arts advocacy and service organization, RACC also provides grants to artists, arts organiza­tions and schools, along with offering affordable training.

In addition, RACC collaborates with a wide range of agencies and organiza­tions, including the Northwest Business for Culture & the Arts. This business membership organization advocates for the arts and recognizes top business donors to the arts.

Spectrum of Tastes

The lion’s share of RACC’s $7 million annual budget comes from public partners led by the city of Portland and followed by three counties and Metro Regional Government. Most of this money goes out the door as grants to arts organ­izations and artists.

This lively culture of collaboration, fundraising and promotion has resulted in a region brimming with creativity and vitality that’s visible in its wealth of public art.

The city’s public art collection features a broad range of styles and media, representing the artistic vision and voice of many different artists as well as the spectrum of personal tastes of residents.

Public art has a way of drawing a community together and promoting a sense of pride, and Portland’s art also adds to the sophistication and aesthetic of the city.