About the Springfield Arts Commission
The Springfield Arts Commission was established by the City Council in 1986 at the end of the Centennial Celebration. The Council charged the Commission to encourage the community’s emerging arts groups, and with the creation of the Art Alley, a series of outdoor murals in the downtown neighborhood.
The first Art Alley mural was a small one at 122 Fifth Street, titled It Ain’t Why, it Just Is, painted by artist Alan Cox in 1988. The second mural, at 130 5th Street, titled Bob the Dog Visits the Old Growth, was painted by John R. Swenson in 1989. Each artist was paid $50 and used materials provided by the Commission.
The Commission accomplishes their work through an active, nine-member volunteer citizen board, a modest annual budget, and part-time staff support.
2023 Regular Meetings
1/10/2023: Agenda | SAC Budget Summary | December Minutes
2/23/2023: Agenda | January Meeting Minutes | February Budget Summary |City Council Requests to Facilitate Recruitment |
SAC Applications
Capp, Karli
Ellison, Nissie
Grimes, David
Gutierrez, Adam
Haugen Jr., Donald
Huggins, Nellie
Kauffmann, Nicolas
Miller, Carolyn Jean
Vinson, Suzanne
3/14/2023: Agenda | February Meeting Minutes | March Budget Summary
4/11/2023: Agenda | March Minutes | April Budget Summary
5/9/2023: Agenda | April Minutes | Art Walk Subcommittee Minutes | April Budget Summary | Proposed Bylaw Amendment Draft
6/13/2023: Agenda | May Minutes | May Budget Summary
9/12/2023: Agenda | FY23 Budget Summary | FY24 Budget Summary
2023 Subcommittee Meetings
1/14/2023, 12:00 – 12:45pm Marketing Subcommittee: Agenda
4/20/2023, 5:30 – 7:00pm Spending Proposal Subcommittee: Agenda
5/1/2023, 5:30 – 7:00pm Art Walk Subcommittee: Agenda
5/1/2023, 5:30 – 7:00pm Gallery Subcommittee: Agenda
5/12/2023, 6:30 – 7:00pm Art Walk Subcommittee: Agenda
6/20/23, 5:15 – 7:00pm Youth Art Gallery Subcommittee: Agenda
Heritage Arts Grant
The Springfield Arts Commission’s annual Heritage Arts Grant Program makes funds available to groups involved in the cultural life of the city. The goal of these grants is to encourage community-based public programs, such as, but not limited to concerts, theater, visual art, dance, or literature. The grant program is funded by City of Springfield room taxes and is administered by the Springfield Arts Commission (SAC). Applications open in early Spring 2022.
Heritage Arts Grant is now open for applications. Apply by April 1, 2022.
Heritage Arts Grant 2022 Application and Guidelines
For more information, watch this pre-recorded Q&A Heritage Arts Grant session (March 5, 2022)
Located on two walls just outside the entrance to the Springfield Library, City Hall Gallery and the Young Artists Gallery are seen by approximately 3,700 visitors each month. Since 1989, City Hall Gallery has featured monthly shows by regional artists chosen by the Springfield Arts Commission. The Commission issues a public call to artists each year. A new addition to City Hall, the Young Artists Gallery is the only year-round space in Springfield dedicated to showcasing the work of children and young adult artists. The Commission partners with youth-related organizations throughout Lane County to represent the diverse creativity of young people in our community.
Springfield Arts Commissioners
Arts Commission Roster:
Summer Young-Jelinek, Chair
Meredith Branch, Vice Chair
Uyen-thi Nguyen, Secretary
Adam Gutierrez
Nicolas Kauffman
Suzanna Vinson
David Grimes
Carolyn Jean Miller
Mindy Linder, City Staff Liaison
Beth Blackwell, City Council Liaison, Ward 4
Contact Arts Commission Liaison Mindy Linder at mlinder@springfield-or.gov, 541-744-3388.
Mailing List
Please join our mailing list for updates on the Springfield Arts Commission’s work and opportunities, including City Hall Gallery calls to artists, Heritage Arts Grant announcements, Commissioner openings and more!
