Candidate Arts Forum Fills the House
A nearly full house filled the Gerding Theater on March 5th to hear a lively and energetic conversation about the importance of the arts and arts education in Portland. Moderated by Randy Gragg, Editor in Chief of Portland Monthly, mayoral candidates Charlie Hales and Eileen Brady along with city council candidates Steve Novick, Amanda Fritz and Brian Parrott engaged in a back and forth conversation covering many arts related topics. The forum was co sponsored by Creative Advocacy Network (CAN), Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC), Business for Culture and the Arts (BCA), Portland Art Dealers Association (PADA), Portland Arts Alliance (PAA) and OregonartPAC.
Check the links below for coverage of the event.
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 artPAChas 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. Since 2006, artPAC has engaged in the 2008 Primary and General Elections, the 2010 Primary, the 2010 Multnomah County Supplemental Election and most currently the 2010 General.
Susanne Penkin, Jeff Cogen, Lynn Peterson,
Stan Penkin and Mayor Alice Norris at the 2006 Oregon ArtPAC Reception.
The arts and culture community can make the winning difference, but only if you make a contribution of $1000, $500, $250, $100 or whatever you can. It all helps demonstrate the important role that arts & culture play in our economy, in our communities and in our schools.
Contribute, right now, online, with a credit card. Or, mail your contribution.
In Oregon, a political contribution up to $50.00 per person and $100.00 per married couple is eligible for a credit on your Oregon income taxes. A tax credit!
Even if you owe no Oregon taxes, you can still get back a credit for your contribution to Oregon Art PAC.
Please give today.
2236 SE 10th Ave
Portland, OR 97214
oregonartpac@yahoo.com
Oregon artPAC Endorsement Advisory Council
Gwyneth Gamble Booth
Mark Edlen
Diana Gerding
Judie Hammerstad
Vera Katz
Thomas Lauderdale
Josie Mendoza
Dan Wieden
Oregon artPAC Board of Directors
Linda Peters
Kirk Mouser
Mary Ann Deffenbaugh
Fred Ross, Co-founder
Stanley Penkin, Co-founder & Treasurer
