A press release:
With the adoption of the FY10 budget earlier today, Portland City Council approved a $4,325,300 allocation to the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC), including whole funding for most RACC programs. The budget, which was approved 5-0, also includes additional one-time funds to support integrated arts education programs through The Right Brain Initiative; to advance the regional long term arts strategy ("Act for Art"); investments in the Creative Advocacy Network to deliver a regional, sustainable dedicated funding solution for arts and culture funding; and fulfillment of the City’s $190,000 pledge to Artists Repertory Theater to help pay for ADA accessibility improvements in their new theater.
With the adoption of the FY10 budget just moments ago, Portland City Council approved a $4,325,300 allocation to the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC). That's actually an increase over FY09...The increased funding, combined with the continued growth of Work for Art, will result in small increases in RACC grants to artists and arts organizations in FY10 — a year when most city bureaus will be taking a 5% cut. The majority of the increase, however, is dedicated to expanding The Right Brain Initiative, advancing the regional "Act for Art" plan, and investing in the Creative Advocacy Network to deliver a regional, sustainable dedicated funding solution for arts and culture.
It's not all kittens-in-people-clothes for the local arts community, however. Barry Johnson at the O is reporting that the Oregon Ballet Theatre has become the "first of Portland's major arts groups pushed to the wall by the global recession," thanks largely to a 50% decline in individual giving. "Unless the company raises $750,000 by June 30 to cover expenses and pay creditors, it may have to close its doors." A benefit gala is scheduled for June 12 in hopes of filling some of the budget gap—more details on that as they become available.
