Patricia Rojas has been appointed as the Executive Director of the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC), starting August 1. Rojas was selected from a pool of 50 candidates and is recognized for her strategic leadership and commitment to equity. RACC, significantly impacted by the City of Portland withdrawing its major funding, now faces budgetary challenges with only $5.4 million remaining and a reduced staff. The council continues to provide small grants to arts organizations and contribute to public art initiatives amidst these changes.
"It is a privilege to welcome Patricia Rojas as the next Executive Director of RACC," Greg Netzer, RACC's interim executive director, said in a press statement. "Her record of strategic leadership, coalition-building, and advancing equity in complex public and nonprofit environments positions her well for this moment. I admire her ability to navigate systems with clarity, compassion, and purpose and I have full confidence in her capacity to lead RACC with integrity and vision."
RACC, which for 30 years has been a major funder of and resource for nonprofit arts and cultural groups in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties, suffered a shock in 2023 when the City of Portland, which had been its major funder, withdrew its support."
RACC's current budget - a little more than half what it had been - is $5.4 million, which includes $1.3 million earmarked for grant awards to other organizations. The agency has 16 full-time and two part-time employees.
In November 2023 RACC's board fired Executive Director Carol Tatch after putting her on paid leave in October.
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