Local dentists have one. Farmers have one. Heck, even funeral directors have one. But Oregon's art and culture community does not.
Maybe that's another reason why Oregon ranks 33rd per capita in public funding for the arts (ugh!) and the Portland region ranks 24th (too low!).
With your help, we are changing that.
Welcome to the Oregon Arts and Culture Political Action Committee, also known as 'Oregon artPAC.'
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| Former Mayor Vera Katz and Lynn Peterson at 2006 artPAC Reception |
We are a non-partisan PAC with the mission to support state and local candidates who are committed to increasing public funding for arts and culture.
No other organization in Oregon does what artPAC does.
Most arts and culture organizations are granted tax exempt non-profit status, so they are limited to how politically involved they can get. Oregon artPAC has been created to fill that void.
Oregon artPAC is a volunteer-powered effort founded in 2006 by several local art advocates who were seeking another avenue to help promote public funding for the arts. In 2006 it was co-chaired by former Portland Mayor Vera Katz, Oregon City Mayor Alice Norris and Portland art uber-philanthropist Arlene Schnitzer.
The PAC’s first efforts were focused on two local County Commissioner races in the November 2006 General Election. In the 2008 primary and general elections we focused on the following contests:
