January 15, 2015

In November 2012, the Arts Education & Access (AE&A) Fund tax passed in Portland with flying colors – with 62% of the vote.

The Fund is designed to support arts education in our public schools, and provide funding for arts organizations throughout our community.

We’re pleased to share that the first Arts Fund disbursement, totaling about $3.3 million, has been sent to the six public school districts in Portland! Additionally, the Regional Arts & Culture Council will receive a disbursement of $200,000 for arts education and access programs.

Our school districts and RACC will receive a second disbursement this Spring, after additional revenue has been collected for the 2012 tax year.

We have an outstanding citizen Arts Oversight Committee (AOC), which is working to collect the hard data from this first year of the Arts Education & Access Fund. Our school districts will partner with the AOC to report on the number of arts, music, and dance teachers Portland has gained thanks to voters.

But so far, we already know our six school districts – including more than 30,000 Kindergarten to 5th graders – are already enjoying better arts programs at school. Later this year, the AOC will report back to City Council, and we’ll hear more about the positive effects this fund has had on our children city-wide.

Portlanders will be able to start paying their 2013 tax beginning March 1 – due April 15!

Murmurs

Aaron Mesh in Willamette Week