Celebrate the positive impact of an arts education

The City of Portland's Arts Access Fundis fueled by an annual income tax of $35-known as the Arts Tax. The fund supports arts education, inclusive of visual and performing arts, in elementary schools across town, as well as grants for artists and arts organizations.

With tax season underway, we know that Portlanders are thinking about the impacts of their Arts Tax dollars. After learning how far $35 can go, you're invited to join us at multiple festivities planned for the coming months.

What is the impact of the Arts Access Fund?

Arts Access Fund dollars are distributed based on student population to hire arts teachers for K-5 students at the six districts in the city: Portland Public, David Douglas, Centennial, Parkrose, Reynolds, and Riverdale, as well as charter schools. Schools receive enough funding to pay for an arts teacher per 500 elementary school students.

For more than a decade, Portlanders have demonstrated their commitment to elementary students through providing equitable access to an arts education. Before the 2013-14 school year-prior to the Arts Access Fund providing funds to Portland's schools-there were only 31 full-time arts teachers and educators serving students across six districts. This school year, there are more than 100.

For the 2025-26 school year, the Arts Access Fund will send $8.1 million dollars to Portland elementary schools.

After the school districts receive their allotment from the City of Portland's Revenue Division, the remaining Arts Access Fund dollars are distributed as part of the Office of Arts & Culture's grantmaking programs, Operating Supportand Small Grants for Artists & Arts Organizations.

You're invited: Celebrate Portland's commitment to arts education

The Office of Arts & Culture, Portland schools, and their partners will host a number of events to celebrate the impact of the Arts Access Fund and Portlanders' commitment to providing students with access to an arts education. We hope you'll join us!

Student art exhibit at The Portland Building

• Exhibit dates: March 9-April 30, 2026
• Location: The Portland Building, City Gallery (floor 2), 420 SW Main St, Portland, OR 97204

The Office of Arts & Culture is excited to host student artworks at The Portland Building in celebration of the City's Arts in Schools Month in March and the impact of the Arts Access Fund on Portland's students.

Works from two schools are represented in the exhibit, including Markham Elementary School and Ivy Montessori School.

In addition to the student artworks exhibit, dozens of pieces of the City's public art collection are on permanent display on the first and second floors of The Portland Building, which are free and accessible for Portlanders to view anytime.

Student art exhibit at Literary Arts

• Exhibit dates: March 7-31, 2026
• Location: 716 SE Grand Ave., Portland, OR 97214

Second grade students from Winterhaven K-8 School used lines, shapes and colors to create their own visual language, expressing their emotions about different forms of visual and performing art.

Student art exhibit at Two Stroke Coffee

• Exhibit dates: March 9-31, 2026
• Location: 8517 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97203

Elementary students from James John, Sitton, Rosa Parks, and Peninsula schools have artwork on display at Two Stroke Coffee in St. Johns.

While viewing the artwork at Two Stroke, visitors can check out an impressive collection of zines created by fifth graders at James John.

2026 HeART of Portland student arts showcase at Portland Art Museum

• Opening celebration: April 15 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
• Closing celebration: April 26, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Exhibition dates: April 15-26, 2026
• Location: Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park Ave., Portland, OR 97205

A love letter to Portlanders for supporting the Arts Tax, the HeART of Portland is an annual visual arts exhibition representing K-12 student artworks from across the city. This year's exhibition will feature 100+ student works highlighting the diversity of arts offerings across Portland Public Schools. As part of the exhibition's opening and closing celebrations, on April 15 and 26 students will participate in dance, music, and theater performances.

More important information to know

Don't forget to pay your Arts Taxby April 15, 2026! Visit the Arts & Culture website for more information and frequently asked questionsabout the Arts Access Fund, including how distributions are determined and who provides oversight. For questions about the Arts Access Fund, email us at [email protected]. To stay updated on news and information coming out of the Office of Arts & Culture, including arts education and the Arts Access Fund, sign up for our monthly newsletter.