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By Southern Oregon Artists Resource, 1625 contributed posts
View all Southern Oregon Artists Resource's posts. About the author: SOAR: The Southern Oregon Artist's Resource is a directory of Southern Oregon artists, artisans and those who serve them and calendar of their art events, and Art Matters!, our blog posting Southern Oregon art events and matters of interest to artists, enthusiasts and patrons of the arts near and far. SOAR was created and is maintained by art advocate and web designer Hannah West in Jacksonville, Oregon to promote our diverse and talented arts community to our visitors and the rest of the world.
Oregon Arts Commission News & Updates – January 2020
In this issue of Oregon Arts Commission News: A rare opening on the Arts Commission staff, Oregon recipients of recent NEA awards, Betty LaDuke’s exhibition celebrating Oregon’s agricultural workers in the Governor’s Office, Grant and Fellowships News…Plus we welcome a new Arts Commissioner and announce a Career Opportunity Grant deadline of March 5!
Arts Commission seeks Community Arts Development Coordinator
The Oregon Arts Commission has an immediate opening for a Community Arts Development Coordinator.
If you are passionate about strengthening Oregon’s arts community and enjoy collaborating with stakeholders to deliver arts training and technical assistance, you should consider this opportunity.
The successful candidate will excel at building relationships and enjoy detail-oriented work such as the application review process, providing technical assistance to the field and administering grant-making programs.
A broad knowledge of Oregon’s arts and creative sector is a definite plus.
Congratulations to the 15 Oregon arts organizations sharing $335,000 in FY2020 Art Works and Challenge America grants from the National Endowment for the Arts!
Oregon’s NEA grant recipients are:
Artists Repertory Theatre, $20,000
Milagro, $10,000
Oregon Bach Festival, $25,000
Oregon Ballet Theatre, $10,000
Oregon Children’s Theatre Company, $20,000
Oregon Folklife Network, $35,000
Oregon Symphony, $20,000
Oregon Symphony Association in Salem, $10,000
Portland Institute for Contemporary Art, $40,000
Portland Opera, $25,000
Portland Playhouse, $15,000
Tavern Books, $10,000
White Bird, $40,000
Wisdom of the Elders, $20,000
Young Audiences of Oregon & SW Washington, $35,000
A promotional image for Artist Repertory Theatre’s “Looking for Tiger Liliy,”a world premiere supported by a $20,000 NEA Art Works grant.
Ashland artist Betty LaDuke to exhibit in Governor’s Office
Ashland artist Betty LaDuke will exhibit “Bountiful Harvest: Celebrating Oregon’s Farm Workers” in the Governor’s Office of the Capitol Building in Salem from Feb. 3 to April 2.
LaDuke’s brightly colored and richly patterned paintings on shaped wood panels celebrate Oregon’s agricultural bounty and the individuals who labor to grow and harvest it. To create these works, the artist spends many hours in the fields sketching and connecting with migrant workers on Southern Oregon farms, vineyards and orchards.
Later, in the studio, LaDuke transforms her sketches into energetic imagery that dignifies the migrant farm workers and their important labor.
An exhibit in the Governor’s Office is considered a once-in-a-lifetime honor for Oregon artists.
Betty LaDuke, “Pear Harvest,” 2012, Acrylic on plywood, 63 x 48 inches. Photo Robert Jaffe.
Grant spotlight
Go behind the scenes at Northwest Theatre Workshop
A three-time recipient of the Arts Commission’s Small Operating Grant award, Northwest Theatre Workshoppresents free events and workshops designed to build a community around the creation, development and production of new theatrical work.
“The grants have helped make it possible for us to offer free performances and our VERY popular New Works Workshop that we do in partnership with Theater Vertigo,” says Producing Artistic Director Ciji Guerin.
Experience their behind-the-scenes view of the creative process at“Tragedy. Comedy. Cookies” from 4 to 6 p.m. on March 8 at Copeland Commons Coffee House at Taborspace (5441 SE Belmont, Portland). The free event is a social get-together and script-in-hand performance of “The Thirst,” a new play that follows the adventures of conjoined twins trying to save their dying village.
Applications open for 2020 Hallie Ford Fellowships
The Ford Family Foundation recently announced acall for applications for the 2020 Hallie Ford Fellowships in the Visual Arts. The Foundation will award up to three $35,000 unrestricted fellowships to established Oregon visual artists who have demonstrated a depth of sophisticated practice and potential for significant future accomplishment. Their work furthers the conversation of contemporary art in the 21st century.
These fellowships honor the late Hallie Ford, co-founder of The Ford Family Foundation, who left a legacy based on a lifelong interest in and support of the visual arts. She believed strongly that others should have the opportunity to realize their talents.
Recipients are chosen based on the evolution of their work, the quality of their existing work and potential. They are chosen by a panel of arts professionals from in and out of Oregon.
The Oregon Arts Commission administers the online application process in partnership with The Ford Family Foundation.
James Lavadour “Land of Origin,” 2015 Ed. 17/18. Lithograph, paper. Lavadour is a 2019 Hallie Ford Fellow.
Harlen Springer appointed to Arts Commission
Harlen Springer, the chair of the Florence Public Arts Committee and a founding member and past president of the Florence Regional Arts Alliance, has been appointed to the Oregon Arts Commission by Gov. Kate Brown.
Harlen is a retired corporate executive with extensive experience leading artistic and consumer products companies including Portal Publications, Numi Organic Tea and Boing Designs. Prior to that, Springer held senior management positions at Fortune 500 companies such as Procter and Gamble, Clorox and Unilever.
Oregon’s arts and culture sector contributed $687 million and 22,299 jobs to Oregon’s economy in fiscal year 2015, according to the latest Arts & Economic Prosperity study from Americans for the Arts!
Due to the new biennium budget process, the announcement of grant awards for the Operating Support and Arts Learning programs is delayed until September.
The Arts Commission is awaiting a final approved budget from the Legislative Fiscal Office and the Business Oregon fiscal office, as well as action by the Arts Commission board, so that grant awards can be finalized and distributed.
Final approval of grant awards is expected at the Arts Commission board meeting in early September. Official notification of application status and funding awards will happen after the Arts Commission board meets.
In recognition of the challenge presented by awards being announced after activity starts, the staff is developing a new timeline for the next funding cycle and may move the activity start period to Oct. 1.
Eric Asakawa plays the role made famous by Kevin Bacon in Broadway Rose Theatre Company’s current production of“Footloose” running through Sept. 1. Broadway Rose received a FY2019 Operating Supporting Grant award. Photo by Craig Mitchelldy.
Call to artists
Oregon Art in Public Places Roster now accepting applications
Regional, national and international artists are invited to submit qualifications for the Oregon Art in Public Places Roster for 2020-2022. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m., MDT (Mountain Daylight Time), on Tuesday, Sept. 10. All materials must be submitted through CaFE™.
The Oregon Arts Commission manages the Percent for Art program for the State of Oregon. The Oregon Art in Public Places Roster serves as a resource for Percent for Art selection panels to identify artists most suitable for specific project needs.
The Roster is completely refreshed every three years. Artist who were selected for a previous Oregon Art in Public Places Roster must reapply to be considered for the 2020-2022 Roster.
George Johanson, “Day and Night,” 2012. Acrylic and oil on canvas. Oregon Department of Transportation.
Corvallis artist Greg Pfarr exhibits in Governor’s Office
Corvallis artist Greg Pfarr will exhibit “A Sense of Place: Time, Memory and Imagination in the Pacific Northwest” in the Governor’s Office of the Capitol Building in Salem through Sept. 26. A “meet the artist” reception is scheduled from 2 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5.
Place has always been a central focus of Greg’s art. He grew up roaming the woods and creeks of southern Ohio, where he found his first inspiration. Early backpacking experiences in the Smokey and Rocky Mountains convinced him that he had to live near wilderness. A move to Oregon in 1980 made it possible.
An exhibit in the Governor’s office is a “once in a lifetime” honor for selected Oregon artists.
Greg Pfarr, “Three Glaciers, Prince William Sound, Alaska,” 2014. Etching and woodcut. 24 x 36 inches (image). Courtesy the artist.
American Artist Appreciation Month
First-ever tours of State Capitol art offered in August
Explore the vast art collection inside the Oregon State Capitol during American Artist Appreciation Month in August. For the first time, State Capitol visitor services will provide guided tours of the Art of the Time Collection, publicly displayed throughout the building.
Tours will depart from the state seal in the rotunda at noon Monday through Friday,
Aug. 19-30. The collection includes more than 175 American (and many regional) artists, featured on the Percent for Art Collection website.
For a schedule of upcoming events and exhibits at the Capitol, visit www.oregoncapitol.com.
Sally Haley, “Camellias,” before 1979. Acrylic on canvas. Photo: Frank Miller.
At Liberty honors Royal Nebeker
Former Arts Commissioner and beloved Oregon artist Royal Nebeker (1945-2014) is being celebrated in a retrospective of his work on exhibit at At Liberty in Bend through September.
A prominent teacher, Nebeker left a tremendous legacy of work. A broad representation of his life’s work assembled for the tribute show.
Royal once said, “This process of painting resembles looking through a night window. I peer out, observing and at the same time see the reflection of the interior conditions of my own reality. It is my intent that as the viewer peers into my painting, he will not only see a visual record of meaning in my life, but will discover the reflection of meaning in their own, as in a night window.”
Pictured at the Royal Nebeker exhibit opening: (left to right) Kaari Vaughn, a founding partner of At Liberty; Sarah Nebeker, Royal’s widow and a Clatsop County Commissioner; Hannah Nebeker, Royal’s daughter; Rene Mitchell, a founding partner of At Liberty; Jenny Green, a founding partner of At Liberty; and Brian Wagner, Arts Commission community development coordinator. .
Florence public mural celebrates local culture
“Stitching Time, Weaving Cultures,” a public mural celebrating local culture and heritage, was recently dedicated in Florence. Commissioned by The City of Florence and the City’s Public Arts Committee, the mural was created by Portland artist-team Marino-Heidel Studios.
Almost three years in the making, the mural showcases folk arts and speaks to cultural interchange. It also “stitches” together ideas that represent the Florence area. The design incorporates the iconic Siuslaw Bridge and native flora and fauna of our region and pays homage to the Siuslaw people.
The project was a partnership between enthusiastic citizens, members of the PUD, Tribal leaders and City of Florence staff.
(Left to right) Harlan Springer of the Florence Public Arts Committee, Catherine Rickbone of the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts and Michal Dalton, Oregon Arts Commissioner.
By Brooke Nuckles, 421 contributed posts
View all Brooke Nuckles's posts. About the author:
Hello Advocates,
We have good and bad news this week as some major legislation we’ve been advocating for has passed, but other important bills are hanging in the balance.
Most of our legislative work is contained in the larger omnibus budget and program changes bills that are assembled and passed in the last few days of session. If the Legislature does not resume its business before June 30th, the date by which the body must adjourn—many of our priorities might be lost. Right now, there’s not much we can do since the political breakdown is occurring between the governor and the legislative leadership.
In good news, the Oregon Cultural Trust and the Oregon Arts Commission budgets were passed. Both agencies are funded at the governor’s recommended levels. We are working to find other ways to cover growing administrative costs estimated by agency leadership that were not approved and thus will impact the grant budget. Other good news—the House passed a tax credit package yesterday that includes renewal of the tax credit and extension of the special assessments for historic preservation. But this still needs to be approved by the Senate.
These bills were all moving along positively, so if the legislature resumes business, we expect good results:
— Renewal of the Cultural Trust tax credit for 6 years — Extension of special assessments for historic preservation for 2 years — 5 capital projects targeted for lottery bonding or General Fund contributions (Oregon Nikkei Center, Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, Cottage Theatre, High Desert Museum, and the Lincoln City Cultural Center) — Lifting the expiration of license plate revenue for marketing of the Trust
If you’ve been an advocate or used your voice in any way this year, THANK YOU. This year’s work in Salem is evidence that our Coalition and its supporters are crucial in ensuring Oregon’s arts and culture are protected. Please stay tuned for more news in the coming days.
By Brooke Nuckles, 421 contributed posts
View all Brooke Nuckles's posts. About the author:
March 2019
News & Updates
It’s time to apply for Operating Support! Plus grant announcements and the 2019 Poetry Out Loud schedule… and check out the new Art in the Governor’s Office exhibition!
Eight grants awarded through The Ford Family Foundation’s Art Acquisition Fund, a partnership that supports our state’s collecting visual arts institutions, ensure works by important Oregon artists will be accessible to the public in perpetuity.
Funds were awarded by a panel of art professionals to: the City of Halsey, Coos Art Museum, High Desert Museum, Portland Art Museum, Portland State University, Reed College, The Schneider Museum of Art, and Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at University of Oregon.
The artists whose works were acquired include Gale Everett, Christiaan H. Mostert, James Lavadour, Chris Johanson and Jo Jackson, Jessica Jackson Hutchins, Heather Watkins, Elizabeth Malaska and Victor Maldonado.
James Lavadour, “Golden,” 2018, oil on panel. Acquired by The High Desert Museum.
It’s Poetry Out Loud time!
All school contests are completed and winners are advancing to three regional contests Saturday, March 2, in Medford, Portland and Salem. The top three students from each region will advance to the state contest in Salem on March 9. The state winner will be invited to participate in the national contest in Washington D.C. at the end of April.
Funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation in partnership with state arts agencies, Poetry Out Loud encourages students to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance.
Finalists from the Lincoln High School contest in Portland: (left to right) junior Robert Menezes, sophomore Jiwon Lim, junior Aidan Henrikson and freshman Cate Bikales, who will compete in the Portland regional contest on Saturday at Lewis and Clark College.
Operating Support Program application now live!
The guidelines and application for FY2020 Operating Support grants are now posted. Remember that ALL organizations must apply every year.
For grant year FY2020 the following disciplines must submit full applications:
Arts Services; Literary; Theatre; and Visual Arts.
The following disciplines must submit interimapplications:
Dance; Film/Media; Interdisciplinary; and Music.
Organizations applying for Operating Support for the first time may only do so in their discipline’s assigned full application year. If you have questions about your organization’s eligibility or discipline please call 503-986-0082.
Applications for Operating Support are due by
5 p.m. on Friday, March 29.
NOTE: Recorded webinars on completing the required DataArts profiles are available at the links below.
Salem’s Pentacle Theatre’s production of “Mama Mia” opens this weekend and runs through March 23. Pentacle receives Operating Support from the Arts Commission.
Arts Build Communities grants announced
Congratulations to the 31 organizations awarded FY2019 Arts Build Communities grants!
They share $175,000 for projects using the arts as a means of addressing community need.
The Arts Build Communities program targets broad geographic impact and arts access for underserved audiences in Oregon. More than half of this year’s awards go to communities outside of the Portland area.
One of the Portrait Connection’s Portraits in Eastern Oregon, featuring children struggling with serious health issues. Portrait by Laurel Knight.
Intisar Abioto exhibits in Governor’s Office
Portland artist Intisar Abioto will exhibit “Black Legend, Black, Oregon” in Governor Kate Brown’s Office in the Oregon State Capitol Building in Salem through March 29.
“Black Legend, Black, Oregon” explores the lore and living legend of Black presence in Oregon through photographs of artists, elders, poets, historians, luminaries and beloved community members. Works in the exhibition include images from the artist’s ongoing photographic endeavor and exploratory blog The Black Portlanders as well as photographs taken around Oregon for the Urban League of Portland’s “State of Black Oregon” 2015 publication. She has been photographing and writing about people of African descent in Oregon since 2013.
An exhibition in the Governor’s Office is considered a “once in a lifetime” honor.
Intisar Abioto, “Akela Jaffi,” 2018, digital pigment print, 24 x 36 inches. Courtesy the artist.
Application review panelists needed
Arts Commission application proposals are reviewed and scored by volunteers chosen for their geographic, ethnic and gender diversity, as well as for their expertise and experience. From these scores, staff ranks the grant proposals and uses the rankings to determine funding awards.
If interested in serving as a review panelist, please complete this form. The information provided will be used to evaluate qualifications of potential panelists and to update the Oregon Arts Commission’s administrative records should the panelist be selected.
By Brooke Nuckles, 421 contributed posts
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November 2, 2018
Dear Arts and Culture Colleagues,
It is with both great pride and some sadness that I share with you that Arts Commission and Cultural Trust Assistant Director David Huff has resigned effective next week to accept the new position of City Arts Manager with the City of Portland.
While we will miss him tremendously, we are very excited for David and wish him the best. He is a truly positive force in supporting artists and arts/cultural organizations across Oregon and the city will be lucky to have him.
During his five years as assistant director, David has provided invaluable input to our planning and implementation of grant programs, helping to ensure we are having the greatest possible impact with our limited funding. He has also made important contributions to our financial oversight systems and has been a strong advocate for accessible service to underserved groups.
David has been a great colleague to our team and has always brought forward ideas to respond to the changing environment. I greatly appreciate his work, thoughts and service, and I look forward to working with him in his new capacity.
As the city’s Arts Manager, David will work in partnership with the Commissioner of Arts and Culture, city bureaus and the Regional Arts and Culture Council to build on Portland’s long-standing commitment to a thriving arts and culture ecosystem.
David’s last day in the office will be Tuesday, Nov. 6. We are working with Business Oregon to develop an interim plan to cover his responsibilities while we consider opportunities to fill the position. In the meantime, please send your grant inquiries to [email protected] and all other concerns to [email protected]. You are also welcome to contact another member of the Arts Commission or Cultural Trust team.
Please let me know if you have any questions and join us in wishing David the best in his new position.
Oregon POL champ competes at national contest April 24
Help cheer on Oregon’s 2018 Poetry Out Loud Champion, Sarah Calvin-Stupfel of West Salem High School, when she participate in nationals April 23-25 in Washington, DC.
Watch Sarah’s performance live between 2 and 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 24. If she advances she will compete in the finals April 25.Enjoy an excerpt of Sarah’s winning performance at the state contest here.
Poetry Out Loud is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation & Poetry Magazine in partnership with the Oregon Arts Commission and other state arts agencies.
2018 Poetry Out Loud champion Sarah Calvin-Stupfel, right, with runner-up Amy Jarvie from Oregon School for the Deaf.
Amanda Wojick exhibits in Governor’s Office
Eugene artist Amanda Wojick will exhibit “The space is always” in the Governor’s Office of the Capitol Building in Salem through May 31.
Wojick’s work explores a collision of abstraction and everyday life. Using layered texture, vibrant colors and irregular shapes, she weaves together elements of painting, sculpture and collage. “The Space is Always” includes works inspired by common materials found within the space of her home.
An exhibit in the Governor’s office is considered a “once in a lifetime” honor.
“Bricks on Yellow,“ 2017. Wood, paper, paint. 22 x 30 x 1 inches. Courtesy of the artist. Photo Jonathan Bagby
Grant panelists needed to review, score proposals
The Arts Commission invites those interested in serving as grant panelists to submit a nomination form.
Selected panelists will read, review and score applications on-line and meet once by teleconference to provide final application ranking. Commission staff will provide a panelist orientation and training.
Individuals with experience in a variety of arts and non-profit disciplines including music, dance, film/media, interdisciplinary arts and arts learning are needed. Panelists from different artistic disciplines who bring a regional perspective from throughout the state, and a variety of backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to participate.
Tyler Fuqua, an artist from Eagle Creek, has one of his creations displayed as part of the “No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man” exhibition through Jan. 21, 2019.
Tyler’s project, “Thorax: Ambassador of the Insects,” is made from mostly reclaimed materials including more than 50’ of EL wire, a color changing chest emblem and four fully articulated wings.
“No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man” brings the large-scale, participatory work from the famous desert gathering to the nation’s capital for the first time. The exhibition takes over the entire Renwick Gallery building and surrounding neighborhood, bringing alive the maker culture and creative spirit of this cultural movement.
“Thorax: Ambassador of the Insects” by Tyler Fuqua, now on display at the Smithsonian.
By Brooke Nuckles, 421 contributed posts
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February 2018
News & Updates
A new Arts Commissioner, lots of grant news and a powerful new exhibition in the Governor’s Office — plus a preview of the 2018 Poetry Out Loud contest!
Matthew Stringer, the executive director of Four Rivers Cultural Center and Museum in Ontario, Oregon, has been appointed to the Oregon Arts Commission by Governor Kate Brown. Stringer fills the position previously held by Libby Unthank Tower, who completed her second four-year term in December.
Jess Perlitz, a Portland-based artist working in sculpture, performance and drawing, is the 2018 recipient of the Oregon Arts Commission’s honorary Joan Shipley Award.
Perlitz leads a group of 19 Oregon artists selected from a pool of more than 120 applicants from 23 Oregon cities for the Arts Commission’s Individual Artist Fellowships.
Jess Perlitz, That Which is Set Before the Eyes, 2015. Concrete, foam, office furniture, paint.
Motoya Nakamura exhibits in Governor’s Office
Portland artist Motoya Nakamura is exhibiting “Images of the 442nd: Nisei Japanese American WWII Veterans and Their Continuing Legacy” in Governor Kate Brown’s Office at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem now through April 4.
Congratulations to Jaden Schiffhaur and Leopold Westrey, the first and second place finishers in the Feb. 12 Poetry Out Loud contest at Lincoln High School!
Jaden will represent Lincoln Saturday, March 3, at the Portland Regional Contest at Lewis and Clark College. Regional contests also are scheduled that day at Rogue Community College in Medford and at Willamette University in Salem.
Jaden Schiffhaur (left) and Leopold Westry (right) took first and second place in the Lincoln High School Poetry Out Loud contest Feb. 12.
Arts Learning grants announced
Congratulations to the 20 Oregon arts organizations sharing $193,001 in FY 2018 Oregon Arts Commission Arts Learning grants! The grants, ranging from $4,451 to $12,046, support arts education projects now under way across the state.
Teacher Bari Frimkess leads a recorder class for students in the Phoenix/Talent school district as part of an Arts Learning project led by the Rogue Valley Symphony Association.
Small Operating grants announced
Congratulations to the 79 small Oregon arts organizations to receive FY2018 operating support from the Oregon Arts Commission! Awarded to arts organizations in 29 towns and cities across the state, Small Operating Grants are designed to provide operating support to arts organizations with budgets under $150,000.
Congratulations to the 33 projects awarded $209,400 in 2018 Oregon Arts Commission Arts Build Communities grants! Arts Build Communities projects use the arts as a means of addressing community need. They target broad geographic impact and arts access for underserved audiences in Oregon. More than half of this year’s awards go to communities outside of the Portland area.
A studnet shows off her ring prowess during a Circus Project workshop.
Conversations with Funders and Partners happening now
More than $5 million in funding will be on the table when Oregon Cultural Trust Manager Aili Schreiner joins with colleagues from the Cultural Trust’s Statewide Partners and other funders for “Conversations with Funders and Partners,” a 14-stop state tour. Attendees will learn about grant programs available from multiple grantmakers and will have the opportunity to discuss their projects and programming. Other statewide programming resources also will be presented.
A 2017 Conversations with Funders event in Eugene.
Happy 55th to the Corvallis Art Center
January marked the 55th anniversary of the opening of the Corvallis Art Center. We are proud of your longstanding service to the greater Corvallis community!
By Southern Oregon Artists Resource, 1625 contributed posts
View all Southern Oregon Artists Resource's posts. About the author: SOAR: The Southern Oregon Artist's Resource is a directory of Southern Oregon artists, artisans and those who serve them and calendar of their art events, and Art Matters!, our blog posting Southern Oregon art events and matters of interest to artists, enthusiasts and patrons of the arts near and far. SOAR was created and is maintained by art advocate and web designer Hannah West in Jacksonville, Oregon to promote our diverse and talented arts community to our visitors and the rest of the world.
Tony Kushner, the return of the Governor’s Arts Awards
to headline 2017 Oregon Arts Summit: “Creating Impact”
The important role of the arts in reflecting and defining society will be explored during the 2017 Oregon Arts Summit, “Creating Impact: Art and Civic Engagement,” scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 6 at the Hilton Portland Downtown. Celebrating the Oregon Arts Commission’s 50th anniversary, the Arts Summit will feature Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner and the return of the Governor’s Arts Awards after a 10-year hiatus. Scholarships are available.
Tony Kushner
“Throughout history, art has reflected the most important social issues of its time,” says Arts Commission Chair Christopher Acebo, the associate artistic director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
“It’s fitting that we celebrate the Arts Commission’s 50th Anniversary by examining the important connection between art and civic engagement, and we are thrilled to have Tony start the conversation.”
Nominated for an Academy Award for his screenplay for Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln,” Kushner’s honors also include an Emmy Award, two Tony Awards and three Obies. In addition to his two-part epic, “Angels In America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes,” Kushner’s plays include “A Bright Room Called Day,” “Homebody/ Kabul” and the musical “Caroline, or Change.”
In a free 8 a.m. event preceding Arts Summit meetings, Governor Kate Brown will present 2017 Oregon Governor’s Arts Awards to two artists and three organizations as recipients of the 2017 Governor’s Arts Awards. Portland artist Arvie Smith and Yoncalla artist Esther Stutzman will be honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Organization honorees include Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts, Portland Opera and The James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation.
Other featured speakers for the 2017 Arts Summit include slam-poet and musician Mic Crenshaw, Oregon Symphony Music Director Carlos Kalmar and Randy Cohen of Americans for the Arts, speaking on the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 study. Scheduled performances include Poet Laureate Elizabeth Woody, jazz artist Darrell Grant, singer Edna Vazquez, BRAVO Youth Orchestras and the PHAME Choir-with special guest Excellence in Theatre Education Tony Award-winning teacher Rachel Harry. Breakout sessions will focus on equity, economic impact, education and creativity.
Hosted by the Oregon Arts Commission, the Arts Summit is a forum of learning and shared resources for arts organizations, arts associations, elected officials, individual artists and arts professionals from around the state. The 2017 Oregon Arts Summit is funded in part by The Oregon Community Foundation, The James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation and the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer Care Foundation. Kushner’s appearance was made possible by the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer Care Foundation.
By Southern Oregon Artists Resource, 1625 contributed posts
View all Southern Oregon Artists Resource's posts. About the author: SOAR: The Southern Oregon Artist's Resource is a directory of Southern Oregon artists, artisans and those who serve them and calendar of their art events, and Art Matters!, our blog posting Southern Oregon art events and matters of interest to artists, enthusiasts and patrons of the arts near and far. SOAR was created and is maintained by art advocate and web designer Hannah West in Jacksonville, Oregon to promote our diverse and talented arts community to our visitors and the rest of the world.
Playwright/screenwriter Tony Kushner, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “Angels in America,” will deliver the keynote address for the Arts Commission’s 50th Anniversary Arts Summit on Friday, Oct. 6, at the Portland Hilton Downtown. Known for his work in bringing society’s most difficult topics – including AIDS, racism and social justice – to the public stage, Kushner will introduce the Arts Summit theme of “Creating Impact: Art & Civic Engagement.”
Tony Kushner
“Throughout history, art has reflected the most important social issues of its time,” says Arts Commission Chair Christopher Acebo, the associate artistic director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
“It’s fitting that we celebrate the Arts Commission’s 50th Anniversary by examining the important connection between art and civic engagement, and we are thrilled to have Tony start the conversation.”
Nominated for an Academy Award for his screenplay for Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln,” Kushner’s honors also include an Emmy Award, two Tony Awards and three Obies. In addition to his two-part epic, “Angels In America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes,” Kushner’s plays include “A Bright Room Called Day,” “Homebody/ Kabul” and the musical “Caroline, or Change.”
John Lahr of The New Yorker says Kushner “takes an almost carnal glee in tackling the most difficult subjects in contemporary history.” Register for the Arts Summit here.
Recipients to be announced soon
Governor’s Arts Awards to Open Arts Summit
After reviewing the more than 100 nominations for the 2017 Governor’s Arts Awards, a statewide committee submitted its recommendations to Governor Kate Brown. The Governor has now made her final decision and award recipients will be announced soon. The Governor’s Arts Awards ceremony is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 6, just prior to the 2017 Arts Summit.
On hiatus for 10 years, the Governor’s Arts Awards were reinstated in honor of the Arts Commission’s 50th Anniversary. The Awards recognize and honor individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the arts in Oregon.
Grant alert!
Applications due Sept. 15 for Small Operating Grants
Launched two years ago as a pilot program, the Arts Commission’s Small Operating Grant program has been continued by the Arts Commission. Applications for FY2018 grants are due by 5 p.m. on Sept. 15; a fillable PDF application is available on the Commission’s website.
Following a program evaluation by Commissioners and staff, the Commission agreed the impact on underserved populations was significant and voted to continue the investment,” says Brian Wagner, community arts coordinator.The evaluation showed a near mirroring of grant dollar distribution to population numbers across the state.
The Inland Northwest Musicians’ Small Operating Grant allows them to continue presenting free concerts in Northeast Oregon like this one in Echo in 2016.
The grants are designed to provide operating support to Oregon small non-profit arts providers with budgets under $150,000. Eligibility is limited to organizations who have operated as an IRS-recognized nonprofit for two years or more and provide on-going programming through the year.
“This grant program was developed to increase the Commission’s support of Oregon’s small arts providers,” says Wagner. “These organizations frequently represent the only arts presenter for remote and underserved regions of the state.”
Welcome Arts Commissioner Nichole Maher
Nichole Maher, the president and CEO of Northwest Health Foundation, has been appointed to the Arts Commission by Governor Kate Brown. Maher fills the position previously held by Julie Vigeland, who completed her second four-year term in July.
Maher was raised in the small community of Siletz in Lincoln County and is very involved in supporting Native art and arts organizations.
“We are thrilled to have Nichole join the Arts Commission as we continue the critical work of ensuring equity, access and inclusion through all of our programs and services,” says Commission Chair Christopher Acebo.
“I am particularly interested in ensuring that all parts of Oregon are included in arts development and that all have access to opportunity and funding,” says Maher.
By Southern Oregon Artists Resource, 1625 contributed posts
View all Southern Oregon Artists Resource's posts. About the author: SOAR: The Southern Oregon Artist's Resource is a directory of Southern Oregon artists, artisans and those who serve them and calendar of their art events, and Art Matters!, our blog posting Southern Oregon art events and matters of interest to artists, enthusiasts and patrons of the arts near and far. SOAR was created and is maintained by art advocate and web designer Hannah West in Jacksonville, Oregon to promote our diverse and talented arts community to our visitors and the rest of the world.
The hands of master Native basketweaver Pat Courtney Gold at work. Gold is the recipient of a 2001 Governor’s Arts Award from Gov. Ted Kulongoski.
Do you know someone who has had a dramatic impact on the arts in Oregon? Consider nominating him or her for a Governor’s Arts Award! Individuals and organizations are eligible.
A call for nominations is now posted on the Arts Commission website; nominations are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 30. Awardees will be announced during the Governor’s Arts Awards ceremony from 8 to 9 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 6, at the Portland Hilton Downtown.
A partnership between the Office of the Governor and the Arts Commission, the Governor’s Arts Awards recognize and honor individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the arts in Oregon.
The Governor’s Arts Awards are open to any individual, organization or community that currently resides in or has a significant presence in Oregon and has made outstanding contributions to the arts in the state. Previous awardees are not eligible (see past recipients ).
