The office reviewed and scored 137 applications for the fall and winter season. Awards went to the top scoring 37 applications, including five that are film related.
Awarded grants totaled $159,000
80% of awardees identify as Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color
All of the events are free or have an accessible pricing structure
Estimated economic impact:$1.14M
Support and funding for this program is provided by: Prosper Portland, Travel Oregon, and Travel Portland.
Community Event Grantees
Descriptions are provided by the grantees and information is subject to change.
OCTOBER
The Sticker Movie Sticker Swap | Lottie and Zula | Oct. 6
The Sticker Movie Sticker Swap celebrates the community of artists who are coming together in Portland for the Sticker Movie world premiere. Two local small businesses, PDXchange and Lottie & Zula's, will host us. We are excited to share our love for stickers with fans of all ages. Our mascot, Slappy the Slaptagger, will be there in all of his pink-felt glory with puppeteer Jim Tozzi. Alongside free stickers, we will have sticker-making stations and sticker trades. This event reflects our commitment to giving back to the community that helped make this film possible.
First Thursdays in Old Town | Everett Station Lofts | Oct. 5, Feb. 1, & Mar. 7
MirCat DragonFae is an accomplished dance/pole/aerial/fire performer and exceptional visual artist, and we are bringing that breadth of creativity together for a First Thursday showcase on Thursday, October 5!
100% of the proceeds for the evening go directly to the artist (as they always do with "Paint the Town!")
Burnside DIY or DIE | Burnside Skate Park | Oct. 8
Come join the locals and bring the family on Sunday afternoon. There will be non-alcoholic beverages, hot dogs, local artwork, music, and shredding. Donations are encouraged, but the event is free. Raffle tickets are for sale to win prizes from local vendors. There will be an afterparty around sunset at a nearby venue where footage will be screened with scenes from documentary film that explores the evolution of Burnside Skatepark and the local skaters.
Indigenous Peoples Day Marketplace | PSU Native American Student and Community Center and Barbie's Village | Oct. 9
Oct 9 Indigenous Peoples Day will be a GOOD one/two!!
First, join us at the PSU Native American Student and Community Center for the Indigenous Peoples Day Marketplace!! Find more than 30 vendors, music, raffle, art and so much more!!
Parkrose Trunk or Treat | Parkrose Middle School | Oct. 15
A community-based Trunk or Treat event bringing together the Parkrose School District students and families to a free, fun and safe Halloween celebration. To be held rain or shine, Sunday, October 15, 2023, 3:30-6 pm.
Dandiya & Navratri Festival in Portland | ADX (Art Design Xchange) | Oct. 20
𝐊𝐄𝐌 𝐂𝐇𝐎❗BOLLYWOOD GARBA NIGHT IN PORTLAND! 💃🏽🌟❤️
All the lovers of our favorite folk theme, Navratri, can rejoice because we are bringing it back to you after a gap of 2 years!🎉 Come dressed in vibrant festive attire and be immersed in folk music out of the state of Gujarat this Saturday night at ADX, the oldest community space maker in Portland. Please note the entrance itself is free. However, we are asking for a suggested donation of $10 per person for the pair of Dandiyas as in sticks. These will be available for purchase at the venue.
Holy Sh!t Improv Series in Portland | Kickstand Comedy | Oct. 21, Nov. 24, Dec. 29, Jan. 26, Feb. 23
Kickstand Comedy is bringing Holy Shit Improv (LA) to Portland for a quarterly series of face-melting comedy. The rotating cast of HOLY SHIT (your favorite comedians from TV/Film/Podcasts and more) are coming to Portland! Joining them will be our in-house Improvisers from Kickstand Comedy!!
Dia de los Muertos Community Celebration | Zenger Farms | Oct. 28
This cultural celebration is often our largest event of the year. It is led by our Community Chefs, women of color from our neighborhood sharing knowledge, food traditions and building community through the process of making and sharing recipes that connect their cultural foods and community practices with farm-fresh vegetables. Join Community Chef Paula Hernandez for this annual celebration that includes sharing traditional foods and food practices, music, dancing, and activities for families designed to build and strengthen our Latinx community.
The Science Fiction Double Feature | Alberta Abbey | Oct. 29
Marla Darling, The CDS Drag, and the Alberta Abbey present the SCIENCE FICTION DOUBLE FEATURE, This interactive theatre experience is presented by The Rocky Horror Lavender Shadowcast under the direction of Marla Darling Our cast will be presenting 1975's The Rocky Horror Picture Show and it's sequel (equal) 1981's Shock Treatment, This shadowcast is comprised of local drag and burlesque entertainers, new performers, and local producers. We are a collective of queer, trans, nonbinary, and BIPOC-identified individuals.
Harvest Festival | Center for Self-Enhancement | Oct. 31
Harvest Festival is a safe, free, and fun alternative to Halloween trick-or-treating hosted by Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) at our Center on North Kerby Avenue. The theme of this year’s Harvest Festival is “Warner Brothers Meets Universal Studios,” and our SEI volunteer staff teams will be on hand dressed up in costumes as they help lead games and other activities, and hand out treats and prizes to participating children and their families.
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Hazelwood Haunted Night Out | Menlo Park Park and Ride | Oct. 14
Where the Queers Grow | Rossi Farms | Oct. 21
Multicultural Festival | Oct. 29
NOVEMBER
All Boats PDX | CoHo Productions Black Box Theatre | Nov. 30 - Dec. 3
All Boats is an evening of 6 original pieces of work spanning theater, dance, song, film, stand-up, performance art and beyond. Each show gives the opportunity to 6 artists in 6 different mediums from 6 different communities to explore their creative process, present new work in a non-normative space of experimentation, and expand their artistic connections in an authentic & genuine way.
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2023 Fall Black Podcast Festival | Nov. 4 + 5
Make Banana Cry | PICA | Nov. 17 + 18
Portland Night Market Holiday Edition | Alder Block | Nov. 30 - Dec. 3
December
Winter Multicultural Holiday Gift & Food Fair | Dec. 16 + 17
Discover exceptional gifts and support local immigrant businesses at the Winter Multicultural Holiday Gift & Food Fair, on December 16 and 17, 2023. This festive gathering features one-of-a-kind treasures while empowering diverse entrepreneurs. Celebrate diversity and make a meaningful impact this holiday season!
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A Hanukkah Pop-Up Experience | Leikam Brewing Company | Dec. 1 - 5
Films to Make You Feel Some Type of Way - Series 3 | Breathe Building | Dec. 1 + 8
PDX Black Collective Cultural Market - Holiday Edition | Oregon Contemporary | Dec. 2 + 3
Flower Factory Group Art Show | Flower Factory | Dec. 5
Briq Studio Holiday Market | Briq Studio | Dec. 9
Dongzhi: Winter Solstice 2024 | Lan Su Chinese Gardens | Dec. 15 - 17
Zambomba | Espacio Flamenco | Dec 16
Chinatown Meet | Old Town Chinatown | Dec. 17
JANUARY
Keepin Alive the Dream | Highland CC | Jan. 15
The Black History 101 Mobile Museum | Historic Alberta House | Jan. 5 + 6
Barn Radio Music Festival | Barn Radio | Jan. 12 + 13
FEBRUARY
African American Walking Museum | Mimi’s Fresh Tees | Feb. 1-7
The Black History Walking Museum celebrates the invaluable contributions and rich history of Black Americans. This exceptional exhibition features a diverse range of elements, including student art displays, a captivating history timeline, recognition of groundbreaking inventors, and an enlightening history wall. Moreover, the museum proudly presents a remarkable collection of African art pieces and sculptures.
With a strong focus on education and community engagement, we are delighted to host student field trips to the museum, providing young minds with an immersive and enlightening experience. As we commemorate Black History Month, this museum stands as the perfect platform to honor and showcase the vibrant tapestry of Black culture, ensuring its profound impact is duly recognized and celebrated.
All Power to the People: “It’s a marathon not a sprint”, remembering the Legacy of the Black Panther Party in Portland | Alberta House | Feb. 2 - 4
All Power to the People: “It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” remembering the legacy of the Black Panther Party in Portland. The Vanport Mosaic invites you to 3 days of memory activism linking the Black Panther Party’s 10-Point Plan to the challenges we face today.
Join Mr. Kent Ford, founding member of Portland's chapter of the '60s-era black empowerment organization, and invited guests for theater performances, presentations, conversations, tabling, and screenings.
Indigenous Marketplace of Love | Bar Carlo | Feb. 9 +10
Indigenous Marketplace of Love. A two-day event activating the SE Foster neighborhood with Indigenous/Black vendors and local brick-and-mortar businesses working together for the love of the community. Free gifts to the first 50 Elders each day (50 years plus)! Music, art, and community! Free and open to the public. All ages are welcome!
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Winter Delight Secret Roller Disco | Davis Street Parking Garage | Feb. 2
Investigating Joy | Feb. 16
A Beat Happening 7-Year Anniversary Concert | Lolo Pass PDX | Feb. 18
MARCH
Mother/Other @ Las Adelitas | Las Adelitas Affordable Housing | Mar. 22 + 23
HDD/NW presents “Mother/Other @ Las Adelitas” on March 22-23, 2024, at Las Adelitas’ public plaza and community room in Portland’s Cully neighborhood. The event honors Women’s History Month and strengthens community bonds as it connects the complex history of the building, the site of a former prostitution ring turned into multifamily affordable housing, with the resiliency and vibrancy of the surrounding neighborhood. Attendees of all ages can participate in free movement classes exploring site-specific dance, Aztec dance, and contemporary movement, visit a pop-up market with local vendors, view a HDD/NW dance film, and enjoy free site-specific dance performances.
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Friends of Noise Spring Break All Ages Music Fest | Portland Institute of Contemporary Art | Mar. 30