Regional Arts & Culture Council

The grand opening for East County Library, located at 475 NW Division St. in Gresham, will take place this weekend, Saturday, 5/16 through Sunday, 5/17! The celebration will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 9–10 am on Saturday, followed by a full weekend of activities and events for the community. As part of the festivities, some of the artists whose large-scale works are installed throughout the new library will speak about their projects on Saturday, 5/16, from 12:30–2 pm. On Sunday, 5/17, artist Paula Champagne @makerchamp will lead a community art activity from 1:30–3 pm. Image: Artist Ka'ila Farrell-Smith leading a community art engagement that informed her large-scale public artwork at the new East County Library. Photo by Yvanna Ramos (@yvanna.ramos ).

Apply now! In partnership with Multnomah County and Do Good Multnomah, the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) invites artists/artist teams who are currently living in Oregon or Washington and producing work in visual, literary, media, social practice and/or interdisciplinary mediums to submit qualifications for up to a one year artist-in-residence opportunity at the newly constructed Harrison Community Village in Southeast Portland. One artist/artist team will be selected to work with and among village residents and staff to create work in any medium that engages and/or is a result of collaborating with the community. A combination of temporary, itinerant, time-based and permanent artistic manifestations are welcomed, encouraged and to be determined through the course of the residency. Located on the southeast corner of SE Mill St and SE 82nd Ave, the new village is nestled between the Tabor, Montavilla and Mill Park neighborhoods in Portland, OR. The budget available for the project comes from Multnomah County’s Percent for Art Program and is an all inclusive budget of $15,000-$25,000. Submissions are due by Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 11:59pm PDT. Further information about the project can be accessed using the link in our bio. If you would prefer materials in another language please contact the RACC project team for translation services.

Please join us on May 16th and 17th as Multnomah County Library inaugurates its new East County Library, a 95,000-square-foot "dynamic destination" that redefines the role of a contemporary library. As a years-long partner for the Library Capital Bond projects, RACC administered and coordinated a public art program for the project, supporting the commissioning and installation of a significant collection of permanent artworks throughout the building and site. Come witness incredible artworks by Paula Champagne @makerchamp , Ka'ila Farrell-Smith, Michaela Goade @michaelagoade , Crystal Schenk and Shelby Davis of CR&SH Studio Art, and Mike Suri @suri_iron and Terresa White @terresawhite . Please stay tuned for a couple of programming announcements specific to these installations! Pictured: A community art making event by Paula Champagne at Gresham Library that informed Paula's public artwork at East County Library. Photography by Yvanna Ramos (@yvanna.ramos ).

In case you missed it, last weekend Patricia Rojas, Executive Director of the Regional Arts & Culture Council, and Darion Jones, Assistant Director of @pdxartsculture , sat down with Ken Boddie (@koin6 ) for “Eye on Northwest Politics.” Their conversation celebrates the return of the beloved Thompson Elk and shares insights into how RACC supports the City of Portland’s Office of Arts & Culture in caring for our community’s public art collections. You can find the full interview linked in our bio.

There's something for everyone in this month's lineup of grantee events! 🪢“The Wedding I Would Want,” @Bint.Bandora ’s latest works, imagines a queer wedding in a liberated Palestine. 🎭 Mask & Mirror Community Theatre’s performance of “You Can't Take It With You” at The Stage at Rise Church in Tigard. 🌳 The Portland Chinatown Museum will host a book launch for XRchive: (Hi)stories and Visions of Block 14, an augmented pop-up book that brings to life the rich culture and history of the Chinese community and Block 14 at Lone Fir Cemetery. 🖌 Nahui Ollim, @miaarvizuart ’s solo painting exhibition, will include performance art as well as the danza of Huehueteotl Itotiani. 🎻 Classical Up Close for Kids is performing two free 45-minute concerts for children of all ages 🎺 @JaySiProof is celebrating the release of TWO EPs featuring a slew of Portland musicians and artists, join them for a groove packed night at @mississippistudios . 🎤 At the Jaya Hanuman Temple in Beaverton, Classical Carnatic Music of India will welcome back two amazing artists, Vocal Abhishek Raguram and Venu (Bamboo Flute) Shashank, with percussionists. 💃 @w.m.c_official (We.Make.Culture) will be performing their next POC/BIPOC Variety Show hosted by @klawzmawnsta at @back2earthpdx 👯‍♀️ @openspace.dance will be performing “Do You See Me?” a new work created by Artistic Director, Franco Nieto @fcofoto w/ collaboration of Open Space Company Artists. 🪩 Join @homosuperior_pdx for an X-Men themed drag show & queer dance party featuring a costume contest at midnight and a pop-up comic book shop! 🎹 @bachcantatachoir will be presenting “Bach-Woods Concert” at the Historic 1937 Steiner Log Church in Welches, OR. 📝 Join @vanportmosaic for two weeks of memory activism events during their 2026 festival to explore the many silenced histories that surround us. 🕺 @push.FOLD presents the sixth @unionpdx - Festival of Contemporary Dance, a four-day festival bringing local and national dance artists to Portland's brand-new Foster Theater to perform, teach, and connect with audiences. 🔊 The Lents Slam n' Jam, presented by @thetoagquartet , May 31st, 5pm-8pm

We’re swooning over photos from the Thompson Elk Homecoming Celebration last weekend. 🦌 🎉 Thanks to our partners and the hundreds of community members who made the event a success!

Today’s the day! Come celebrate the return of the Elk this afternoon, Sunday, April 12, in downtown Portland from 1 to 4 p.m. Details at portland.gov/elk-homecoming (link in bio) The Thompson Elk Fountain is meaningful to the community in so many ways. Rod Maupin tells the story of how it sealed the deal for his move to Portland.

The beloved Thompson Elk statue—now cleaned, polished, and ready to shine—has officially returned to its historic place on SW Main Street 🦌 ⛲️ This moment is the result of deep collaboration across city bureaus, skilled craftspeople, historians, and community members. The Water Bureau is proud to have played a role in bringing the fountain back, and we celebrate the partnerships that made its return possible for generations to enjoy. The City of Portland and its partners welcome all to come celebrate the return of the Thompson Elk statue on Sunday, April 12th. Join us for a day of festivities, entertainment, and family-friendly activities. Details: Sunday, April 12 from 1 to 4 p.m. SW Main St at Chapman and Lownsdale Squares More information is available at portland.gov/elk-homecoming.

The Elk’s restoration odyssey is complete! 🦌 This Sunday, come celebrate the Thompson Elk Fountain’s return with festivities, entertainment, and family-friendly activities! Sunday, April 12th 1–4 p.m. SW Main St at Chapman and Lownsdale Squares Details: portland.gov/elk-homecoming (link in bio)

Want to stay in the loop with new artist opportunities and announcements? Sign up for our newsletter, Arts in Focus, using the link in our bio! Image: Professional Development grantee @mayavivas ' performance art “soft between the elbows” for @nceca 2019. Image Credit: @hydratedplus

The Elk is Coming Home! Join us in celebrating on April 12th. After meticulous restoration, Portland’s most beloved bronze resident is ready to return to its historic home. The Thompson Elk Fountain has stood as a watchful guardian over downtown since 1900, and this April, the wait is finally over. The Thompson Elk Fountain is a symbol of Portland’s connection to the natural landscape and has been a historic gathering point for generations. Since its removal in 2020 to protect it from damage, RACC has stewarded the Elk's care, ensuring it remained preserved while the City of Portland rebuilt the fountain’s infrastructure with modern seismic reinforcements and a sustainable water system. Celebrate the return with us When: Sunday, April 12, 2026 Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Where: SW Main Street (between Chapman and Lownsdale Squares) Want even more Elk? Don't miss the premiere of Portland Arts Project Grantee @ErikaBolstad 's documentary "The Elk" at @pdxpanorama during "The More You Know: PNW Docs" screenings on April 18th at 12:00pm! Image 1: Art conservator Robert Krueger of Cascadia Art Conservation Center gives the Thompson Elk its final hot-wax treatment. Image 2: The Elk is ready to return! Image 3: Thompson Elk Fountain Homecoming Celebration Invitation Image 4: Poster for "The Elk," produced by Erika Bolstad. Poster by @jensbragia

Our grantees have been busy! Here’s what’s on this month: 🖼 All month, stop by @tinygallery.stjohns and check out their April show featuring @to_be_continued_art ! 🎤 4/4 - @friendsaftergoodsound is hosting their 2026 Spring Concert at 7 pm at Leaven Community Center. Join them for a night of Portland packed composers, featuring @stephanielavontrotter , @dianagoldfish , @siempreviendo , with @helensweat opening! 🌱 4/8 - @practice_rebellion is facilitating Part One, a block carving workshop, of their “SOLIDARITY IS A PRACTICE” workshop from 3-6pm at @iprc_pdx . Part Two: DIY Relief & Screen Printing Fundraiser (++ZINE RELEASE!) to follow on April 12th. 📖 4/9 - From 7-9pm at @BishopandWilde / @McCormack_Writing_Center , catch Event 34 in the @ConstellationReading Series featuring Genevieve DeGuzman 💃 4/10-4/12 - @lacyknightly123 's 4th Annual Booklovers Burlesque Festival will highlight a mix of ANY & ALL GENRES of the written word matched with burlesque, boylesque, and draglesque artists chosen from the United States and Canada 🎶 4/18 & 4/19 - @inmulieribuspdx presents their season 19 finale “Whispers of Desire,” a celebration of the original queer icon and lyric poet Sappho at The Old Madeleine Church 🎬 4/18 - @e.m.barrow ’s short film Redbird premieres at @pdxpanorama 2:00 PM at Hollywood Theatre - Upstairs 📺 4/19 - @beaverstateshow (Episode 1) has already SOLD OUT their premiere at @pdxpanorama 📚 4/23 - @bipocadoptees is hosting a powerful evening with five BIPOC adoptee authors sharing their work and engaging in conversation, 7-9pm at Alberta Abbey 🎞 4/23 & 4/25 - @seedsofpeace will premiere at @AshlandFilm Festival