About Us

Clackamas County Arts Alliance • 2011 - 2013 STRATEGIES

Mission

The Arts Alliance keeps art central to life in Clackamas County.

Purpose

Support, develop and promote access to all the arts in every county community.

Vision

The Arts Alliance will have broad-reaching impact in all areas of the county, and will be widely known as the first and most reliable source of arts information for interested citizens and creative practitioners in all disciplines. The Alliance will strategically invest in partnerships and collaborations to achieve maximum impact. Existing partnerships will be deepened and strengthened, and new allies cultivated. Cultural and historical collaborative projects will define the County with arts and heritage trails, signage, maps and monuments.

Because of these efforts, Clackamas County will be a national leader in public art and a cultural destination for residents and visitors. Art opportunities will exist everywhere. Citizen access and involvement will be broad and deep. Ethnically diverse individuals and organizations will be a visible part of the cultural riches in all County communities, and adults of all ages will be engaged. Expanded involvement of younger adults in arts opportunities will be evident. The arts will be central and visible in every county community.

Funding for the arts will be strong and stable throughout the county. Elected officials and decision-makers will understand the economic impact of the arts industry to Clackamas County, and will value the arts as a driver for tourism, employment and community development.

The Clackamas County Arts Alliance supports, develops and promotes access to all the arts in every county community through.

Information - Arts Helpline, Opportunities, News, Calls to Artists, 
Publications, Events, Workshops, Classes

Resources - Mentoring, Training, Professional Development

Public Art & Network Partners - Public Art, Art Exhibits, Arts Network Directory, Cultural Tourism Projects

Advocacy - Arts and culture as tools for building distinctive, vibrant, economically sustainable communities

We believe...

Literary, performing, and visual artists contribute to the collective strength, vitality and health of Clackamas County communities.

Arts and culture opportunities are essential and fundamental to every County community’s quality of life.

Sharing resources among organizations and individuals leads to a thriving arts and cultural environment

The unique cultural heritage and history of Clackamas County must be preserved and celebrated.

The arts transform learning, increase academic success and are crucial to a complete education.

Our History

In 1994 the Board of County Commissioners appointed 14 volunteers to a citizen advisory board known as the Arts Action Alliance of Clackamas County The Alliance’s original scope was focused on arts advocacy exclusively and a single staff assistant provided part-time coordination to the board. In the early years networks were built that continue through today. Among many others, the Regional Arts & Culture Council, Clackamas Community College, and the Oregon Arts Commission are important partners in our work.

By 1999 Alliance efforts broadened when the Arts Helpline was launched to provide information and resources to artists, organizations and interested citizens. The Helpline uncovered unmet needs in the County arts community and by 2002, new services were developed: Art exhibits in public buildings provided opportunity for emerging artists; Mentorships offered customized training and consulting to organizations; meetings and gatherings were convened to bring people together around common interests.

Continued collaboration and programming relationships with the County’s Tourism Development Council evolved to a solid partnership. In 2006 the Arts Alliance joined with Tourism to create the County’s Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. The synergies of this connection have created many opportunities for cultural tourism strategies, advancing our advocacy campaign.