Leading as an executive director rarely has a roadmap. Madison Cario sheds some light on how to be intentional in their first 100 days at the helm as Executive Director of the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) in Portland, Oregon. They also share their outlook on the future of RACC.

Madison started the process by inviting people in their community to suggest restaurants, urban trails, public art, and galleries in Portland and to talk to them directly about experiences in the Portland arts and creative community. They even made a Google map to show where those invitations led! After 100 days into Madison’s role, they have charted the following course:

• Commit to Centering Equity
• Create a Unifying Equity Vision and Plan
• Add the A to DEI (Access, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion)
• Create a Sustainable and Relevant Organization
• Initiate a Comprehensive Future Plan

Madison has made good on their first promise to share what they’ve learned in their first 100 days. However, the tour continues, and Madison already has plans to continue to make a clear path for feedback and conversation from all corners the Portland community.

RACC is a member organization of the US Urban Arts Federation (USUAF).