The 4th annual Junk to Funk Recycled Fashion Show is encouraging you to dive into the nearest dumpster and come out with a flashy, functional, funky getup to show off on the runway! We are looking for new works of wearable art and couture fashion created from “trash” for the 2009 show. In addition to the traditional Junk Couture style, check out the new “Textile Challenge” category using up-cycled and reconstruct trashed or used textiles for stylish functional everyday clothing.

Deadline for submission is October 14, 2009. The 2009 show will be held November 14th at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Oregon. For Junk to Funk rules, instructions, and application please visit the website www.junktofunk.org

The ADULT ONLY program (IDs will be checked!), which has two shows one at 3:00 p.m. and another at 7:00 is Saturday, July 25. Might be fun, but I’m not sure the conservative PAM crowd is ready for the Real Portlander who is both tattooed and pierced, and lives a distance from the museum’s SW site.

While there is a charge of $30 for preferred front row runway seating, my guess they will simply gentrify what is truly a Portland phenomenon.

Information can be had at the museum website.

Technical assistance is available to help artists and arts organizations submit strong proposals

June 30, 2009 – The Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) invites nonprofit organizations and individual artists in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas Counties to submit proposals for artistic projects and cultural events that are planned for calendar year 2010. “Intent to Apply” forms must be submitted online through RACC’s website –www.racc.org/grants – before 5:00 p.m. on August 5, 2009.

For 14 years, RACC “Project Grants” have enhanced and supported a wide range of artistic activities throughout the Portland tri-county area (including Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties). To be eligible, projects must involve the creation or presentation of a performance, exhibit, or other work of art that is available to the general public. Proposals must address ONE of the following objectives:

· Artistic Focus: Projects that demonstrate high artistic quality, innovation, creativity in programming and artist selection, and demonstrated ability by the artist or organization.

· Community Participation: Projects that support cultural and arts programs and services that involve direct community participation. The project should impact a variety of citizens in the RACC service area by helping to provide them with a greater sense of self, family, community and place.

A third category of Project Grants are for “Arts-in-Schools.” These applications will be available on August 27, 2009 with deadlines in October.

Non-profit organizations and individual artists are all welcome to apply, and RACC encourages submissions from new, emerging, and established artists alike. All eligible proposals will be grouped by discipline and adjudicated by a panel of community volunteers with interest and experience in arts and culture programming. Approximately $400,000 is available, with awards ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 each.

Guidelines and other important materials – including a list of projects that were funded in 2009 – are available online at www.racc.org/grants. All applications must be submitted using RACC’s online grants system; RACC provides computer access and technical support for people who require assistance. RACC staff is also available by telephone and email to guide applicants through the process of submitting a competitive application. First-time applicants should contact Helen Daltoso at 503.823.5402 or hdaltoso@racc.org for assistance. Returning applicants should contact Ingrid Carlson at 503.823.5417 or icarlson@racc.org.

In addition to these one-on-one support opportunities, two free orientation sessions are being provided to help applicants better understand RACC Project Grant guidelines and application procedures. These orientations will be held at RACC offices, 108 NW 9th, Room 202, Portland. Please call 503.823.5866 or email ttoler@racc.org to RSVP.

• A free orientation for individual artists will be held Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 3pm.

• A free orientation for not-for-profit organizations will be held Wednesday, July 8, 2009, at 3pm.

“Intent to Apply” forms are due August 5, 2009 at 5:00pm. RACC staff will notify applicants as to whether their proposal meets the minimum eligibility requirements, and all final proposals must be submitted online by August 19, 2009 by 5:00pm. Applicants submit copies of their proposal and supplemental materials by August 26, 2009. Awards are announced by mid-December. For more information, please visit www.racc.org/grants.

Here is what she is doing:

• She is moving her offices to into one the Pearl.
• She is taking advantage of the never before heard of bargains in advertising for some major publications. In fact, she is the only agent advertising in one of Portland’s premiere magazines. Because this magazine wants to keep her, she has arranged for a premium placement at a fraction of the cost.
• She is targeting her energies to locations where perspective buyers hang out.
• And she has negotiated with her banks to get the best possible home loans in this market.

Sagging sales are scary, but a weaker economy does not equate death. The smart and quick thinking can and do survive by thinking outside the box and negotiating with everyone to make the best deals happen.

What are you doing to take advantage of quitters to increase your marketing efforts?

Having been closely involved for a year as a PAM docent-in-training, I have experienced the intense training program required of docents, the passion of the curators, and heard from museum director, Brian Ferrisco on the new direction the museum is heading. Having come to the museum with a passion for art, I am aware of the preconceived notion by some that this edifice to fine art seems to have a social wall up to the common folk amongst us. However, in listening to Ferrisco, I am aware he is gently pulling this ship in a new direction.

This economic downturn has hit PAM hard and has forced the director to change course sooner than later. Brian Ferrisco has been a breath of fresh air because he is moving the museum to a more community-focused local resourced direction instead offering the super blockbuster exhibits that please a few prominent individuals.

I am hoping that Ferrisco will be forced to look eastward past the Willamette River to see that there is a huge population out there who may not have ever visited the museum. A population that is ethically mixed with a culture and society different from museum trustees. Now is the time to reach out to these people and welcome them into the fold. In other words, what Ferrisco should be asking is what can the Portland Art Museum do for you?

I think my huge gripe with PAM is that there are a few monied people who control who sees what. Outreach has begun because of a new museum director, but it is not enough.

I would love to see the museum packed with all sorts of people who are enjoying what they came to see and then looking at other exhibits. This tattoo exhibit is a perfect example. The newspapers and local youth press wrote extensively about the exhibit. This could be the first time some people were interested enough to venture across town to stop by for an eyeful of the expressive line art. Unfortunately, I am not sure the folks at the museum realized that this particular exhibit could be the vehicle to lure more people into the museum and get new members.

With this pinch-penny exhibit, it just does not do it, at least for me. An event this weekend is planned at the museum with guests and fashion show. It will probably draw a crowd, but it could have been a lot better.

Pity.

For further information, please email Barbara: info(at)art2hart(dot)com, or visit my website by clicking here.