Hold on to your hats, folks—Multnomah County is on a budget-cutting spree that would make even Scrooge blush. The Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) has thrown a flare into the sky, warning that a proposed $300,000 funding cut could effectively turn the arts scene into a karaoke bar where the speakers are broken. Yes, you heard it right; no dough, no magic!
“We come to you during this most tragic hour,” the RACC emails, dripping with urgency. “Two appendices to the budget are lurking in the shadows (#10 and #11), poised to snatch away $300,000 from our beloved arts council.” Perhaps they believe this will turn art from a community essential into a mere luxury, like artisanal cheese imported from France.
“Without these dollars,” they lament, “we might as well well be hosting a community talent show in a basement.” This core funding isn’t simply numbers on a spreadsheet; it’s the lifeblood that keeps art—and, dare I say, culture—flowing through our community’s veins.
So what can we do, you ask? Well, you’re in luck! RACC has whipped up a two-step plan, and thankfully, it doesn’t involve a TikTok dance challenge. First up, “Email your County Commissioner TODAY! They need to hear from you. If you’re not sure who your Commissioner is, congratulations! You’ve just hit rock bottom in civic engagement.”
Second, they advise submitting written testimony or hopping on the virtual megaphone to share how RACC has woven its magic into your life. “Your voice matters! Just imagine your message being read aloud to an audience of… well, your cat, and maybe a couple of bored interns.”
While Multnomah County and a few surrounding counties have made strides in supporting the arts, Portland previously gave RACC a generous pat on the back—$7.4 million of its budget, to be precise. But instead of a hearty handshake, the city decided to withdraw all that support and start its own City Arts Program. Quite a plot twist, right?
Now, RACC’s budget is a paltry $5.4 million, resembling leftover pizza after a family party. Worse yet, if Multnomah County trims an additional $300,000, we’re staring into the abyss of arts funding doom. And let’s not kid ourselves; we all know that a city without art is like a cake without frosting—just plain sad.
In other news, RACC recently announced the appointment of Patricia Rojas as its new executive director, as of August 1. With the arts world swirling in uncertainty, we can only hope she’s ready for the circus—and that there’s still popcorn left in the budget.
