A Portland initiative to redefine the methods used for achieving great design is seeking a $200,000 grant from the National Endowment of the Arts.

Called Design Excellence, it will create a ‘tool kit’ of resources to help community design sessions, as well as training sessions for public agencies and civic leaders on what constitutes good design. The initiative is an effort by the city of Portland and the American Institute of Architects Portland. [RK] via daily journal of commerce / oregon.