Oregon artPAC

Oregon artPAC is supporting Loretta Smith in the race for Portland City Council. Thank you, Loretta for your support of the arts.

We are pleased to announce our dual endorsement of Joe Buck and Christine Lewis for Metro Council Position #2. Both candidates exhibit a passion for the arts and an understanding of the challenges faced by the arts and culture community. The responses to our questionnaire by each candidate were clear, concise and thoughtful, which made it difficult to choose one over the other. We feel that either candidate would be supportive of arts issues as a member of the Metro Council, and we thank them for engaging with artPAC.

artPAC Endorses Steve Novick in Commissioner Race

As a follow up to the May Primary Election, Oregon artPAC held interviews with the runoff candidates for Portland Commissioner Position #4, challenger Chloe Eudaly and incumbent Steve Novick. Both candidates shared their views on the importance of arts and culture to the community and the funding challenges faced by arts organizations. Additionally, both candidates discussed at length how Portland’s affordability and housing crisis affects individual artists, makers and arts institutions.

artPAC felt that both candidates had a good grasp of the topics and both showed a deep concern for the issues faced by the City and the arts community. While impressed by Ms. Eudaly and her passion, after difficult deliberation the artPAC board felt that Mr. Novick was more experienced and better equipped at this particular time to address the issues of concern for the arts community.

artPAC appreciates the participation of both candidates and urges Ms. Eudaly, should she not be successful, to maintain her passion and continue her pursuit for public office in the future.

artPAC Board Welcomes New Board Member

Oregon artPAC is pleased to welcome Arlene Matusow to its board. Arlene is a lifetime advocate and supporter of arts and culture. She was an East Coaster until she followed her daughter to Portland seven years ago. With a fifteen year background as a docent at the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C., Arlene eagerly joined the docent program at the Portland Art Museum. “Art is so much more than a picture on the wall; it is a source of pleasure, knowledge, and inspiration. The vibrant art scene in Portland is a joy to behold and influences every aspect of my life.” Arlene is pleased and honored to work with artPAC.

artPAC’s 2016 primary endorsement process is underway. Twenty one candidates in Portland and the three regional counties have returned our questionnaire and evaluations are underway. Stay tuned.

Primary Election 2016

Oregon artPAC is commencing its endorsement process for the 2016 primary election. Written questionnaires will soon be distributed to candidates in the City of Portland and Tri County races with selective face to face interviews to follow.

News Flash – Thank You Multnomah County Commissioners

Oregon artPAC is pleased to report that the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners in its 2016 fiscal year budget has proposed an increase in RACC funding from $170,000 to $300,000. Thank you Commissioners for following through on your commitment to sustaining and increasing public funding for the arts.

Voters in Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington County: Hear what your County officials believe about the importance of arts in our schools and community, and how they will support those who understand that arts funding is critically important within our community.

Learn more and RSVP TODAY!

Oregon Arts and Culture Political Action Committee: Candidate Celebrations! Hear what your County officials believe about the importance of arts in our schools and community, and how they will support those who understand that arts funding is critically important within our community.

Oregon artPAC has invited 20 candidates in ten regional contest to participate in this year’s primary election endorsement process. Questionnaires were sent to the following candidates:

PDX Commissioner #2
Nick Fish
Michael Durrow
Sharon Maxwell
PDX Commissioner #3
Dan Saltzman
Multnomah County Chair
Deborah Kafoury
Jim Francesconi
Aquiles Montas
Multnomah District #2
Loretta Smith
Teresssa Raiford
Multnomah District #1
Jules Bailey
Brian Wilson
Clackamas District #5
Jim Bernard
Steve Bates
Clackamas District #2
Paul Savas
Karen Bowerman
Washington County Chair
Andy Duyck
Allen Amabisca
Washington District #2
Greg Malinowski
Washington District #4
Bob Terry
Elizabeth Furse

Responses will be posted after all are received.