On April 22, 2025, Arts & Culture Director Chariti Montez presented at the convening of the City of Portland’s Arts and Economy Committee—co-chaired by Councilmembers Mitch Green (District 4) and Dan Ryan (District 2). 

During the 20-minute presentation, Montez walked the five-person committee and members of the public through a mix of information about the value of the arts for art’s sake, the economic impact of the arts, and the current state of Arts & Culture’s core bodies of work—arts education, cultural planning, grantmaking, performing arts venues, and public art. 

“Our vision is arts at the center of public life in Portland,” Montez said. “To fulfill our vision, we collaborate with artists, arts organizations, across service areas, and with other government agencies to expand access and support cultural expression across the city.” 

Topics covered in Montez’s presentation included:

• How the City is funding arts and culture grants in FY 2024-25
• The impact of an arts education on students in Portland, made possible by the Arts Access Fund
• Declining Arts Access Fund disbursements and its relationship with the amount of funds available to distribute as part of Arts & Culture’s grantmaking programs
• The economic and cultural impact of the City-owned cultural facilities
• How regional cultural planning efforts completed in 2024 will inform the development and creation of Portland-specific cultural plan
• Arts & Culture’s FY 2024-25 $10.15 million budget by revenue source

During the public testimony portion of the committee meeting, individuals from several General Operating Support grantee organizations—White Bird, North Pole Studio, and Portland Gay Men’s Chorus, spoke about their groups’ efforts to create and provide arts and culture experiences for Portlanders and the vast economic and social impact of those events, as well as the importance of the City’s continued commitment to investing in Portland’s art ecosystem. Representatives from Portland Public Schools and the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) also provided testimony. 

Check out the Arts and Economy Committee’s upcoming meeting schedule