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By Southern Oregon Artists Resource, 1974 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.
News and Updates November 2022 Truth behind Celebrate Oregon! Paying tribute to Oregon arts, heritage and humanities The secret behind the success of the new Celebrate Oregon! license plate is this: the artwork pays tribute to our shared arts, heritage and humanities. The artwork’s 127 symbols celebrate our history, our diverse cultural traditions and the people and places that make Oregon so special.Every Oregonian who participates in the Cultural Tax Credit joins in that celebration. By donating to one of our 1,500+ arts, heritage and humanities nonprofits – then making a matching donation to the Cultural Trust by Dec. 31, you ensure the Trust continues to provide stable and growing funding to the organizations that define our vibrant way of life. You also qualify for a 100 percent tax credit for your gift to the Trust.**Tax credit limit is $500 for an individual, $1,000 for a couple filing jointly and $2,500 for a Class-C corporation. Artist Liza Mana Burns with a section of one of the four Oregon airport murals featuring the Celebrate Oregon! artwork.
‘Tis the giving season! Give guides go live in Portland, Bend In addition to its longstanding sponsorship of the Willamette Week Give!Guide in Portland, this year the Cultural Trust is again participating in the Central Oregon Gives guide presented by The Source Weekly in Bend. Both guides showcase local arts and culture organizations and promote the Cultural Tax Credit to those who donate. They also offer donor incentives and prize opportunities, including a Give!Guide Mt. Hood/Timberline Lodge Experience on Dec. 30, sponsored by the Cultural Trust and Friends of Timberline. Check them out! Included in the Cultural Trust’s Big Give Day prize for the Willamette Week Give!Guide is a pristine, rare and original copy of “The Builders of Timberline,” a 1937 volume produced by the Works Progress Administration for the lodge’s dedication ceremony.
Funding impact story Performers, patrons of the arts find a home in Elgin Nestled alongside the Wallowa Mountains sits Elgin, Oregon, a small Eastern Oregon community home to just under 2,000 people that also boasts a booming artistic community. At the center of this community is the Elgin Opera House, supported in part by funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust. Built in 1912 to house the Vaudeville style of theater, Elgin Opera House was the backdrop for some of the most exciting acts of its time while also housing the town’s local government offices. Smaller theaters with a close-up view of the performers were typical of vaudeville theaters, which were designed to provide audience members a more personal perspective of productions. The Elgin Opera House operated in this fashion until the mid-twentieth century when it was converted into a movie theater. In 2006, current Executive Art Director Terry Hale took over with a new vision for the future. Read the full story, created in partnership with Here is Oregon. The cast of the Elgin Opera House production of “School of Rock.”
Funding impact story Talent Historical Society shares stories of rebirth from Almeda Fire In September of 2020, the Almeda Fire hit the town of Talent, Oregon. Spreading widely and rapidly, the fire destroyed homes, businesses, and many forms of wild and plant life. In total, the fire destroyed 2,600 homes between Ashland, Talent, Phoenix, and Medford. It was the most destructive wildfire in Oregon’s recorded history. The Talent Historical Society recently launched a digital feature called “Talent: Town in Flames” that pursues the important mission of sharing the stories of the communities working to recover from this fire. Next up will be a book project and an exhibit funded by the Oregon Cultural Trust. The exhibit will include art, stories, and photo documentation with portable walls that will make their way to city hall, into schools, and the local library. Read the full story, created in partnership with Here is Oregon. Firefighting superheroes of Talent, Oregon. (Courtesy: Talent Historical Society)
Funding impact story City-wide art programming will showcase Oregon artists “Portland punches way above its weight as a cultural capital,” says Christian Viveros-Fauné.The Chilean-born, New York-based writer and curator is showcasing the Rose City’s rich arts community as Converge 45’s newest guest curator. Viveros-Fauné will lead programming with over 80 artists across 15 venues under the title “Social Forms: Art as Global Citizenship,” supported by a grant award from the Cultural Trust.Converge 45 is committed to the region’s unique creative community and engaging with critical issues in contemporary art.“It would be the understatement of the decade to say that I am excited about the opportunities a city-wide exhibition like Converge 45 presents,” says Viveros-Fauné.Read the full story, created in partnership with Here is Oregon. Christian Viveros-Fauné. Photo: Will Lytch.
Deb Schallert appointed to Cultural Trust Board of Directors Deb Schallert, a retired Portland General Electric cultural and historic resources and environmental compliance manager, has been appointed to the Oregon Cultural Trust Board of Directors by Governor Kate Brown. Deb’s work at PGE focused on hydroelectric and wind projects; her responsibilities included tribal consultation with Northwest tribes. She also held numerous positions throughout the state for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and served on Oregon’s State Advisory Committee for Historic Preservation, several years as chair. “We are extremely fortunate that Deb is dedicating her wealth of experience and expertise to advancing the Cultural Trust in Oregon,” said Niki Price, chair of the Cultural Trust Board. “I am honored and thrilled to be appointed to this position and serve Oregon’s richly diverse communities and culture,” says Deb.Read the full release.Deb Schallert
By Southern Oregon Artists Resource, 1974 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.
News and Updates November 2020 “You literally saved Camelot”
Gratitude pours in for Coronavirus Relief Funding for Cultural Support Tears of joy. That was the response from many cultural leaders when they learned they were among the 621 recipients of $25.7 million in Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) Cultural Support grant awards distributed by the Cultural Trust. The funding not only saved, but also gave needed hope, to many organizations. Below are just a few of the heartfelt notes the Cultural Trust has received from across the state.
“Thank you and the Trust for the award. You literally saved Camelot,” Dann Hauser, executive director, Camelot Theatre, Talent.
“This grant made us all SMILE for the first time in over a month!!!” Sue Densmore, executive director, Friends of Oregon Caves and Chateau, Grants Pass.
“We are grateful beyond words. Your work has meaning, it is inspirational/aspirational and has impacted our community. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.” Maureen C Ter Beek, vice chair, Curry County Cultural Coalition.
“You all make me believe that when you do good, good happens eventually.” said Sushmita Poddar, founder, Bollywood Movez, Portland.
“The award notice brought us close to tears of relief… this grant is a lifeline. Without it, I’m not sure we would have survived.” Ruth G. Shelly, executive director, Portland Children’s Museum Read more notes of gratitude
Cate O’Hagan (far left) from the Deschutes County Cultural Coalition presents Coronavirus Relief Fund Cultural Support checks to Sisters cultural organizations: (left to right) Chris Schaad of Sisters Rodeo; Marla Manning of Silent Echo Theater Company; Dawn Boyd of Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show; and Crista Munro of Sisters Folk Festival.
Talent’s Camelot Theatre miraculously survived the fires that destroyed buildings just across the street.Year-end campaign focused on protecting Oregon culture Despite the incredible impact of the CRF Cultural Support relief funding, the continued ban on large gatherings means a majority of cultural organizations are still suffering losses. The focus of the Cultural Trust’s fall fundraising appeal is to urge more Oregonians to contribute to cultural nonprofits and then to leverage those dollars by participating in the cultural tax credit program to ensure funds for next year’s cultural grant programs.
Ads for the campaign will build on the shared anticipation for a return to in-person events while encouraging donors to help protect culture. As always, support from the cultural community in spreading the word is incredibly appreciated.
One easy way to support the fall campaign is to invite a Cultural Trust representative to make a presentation at a virtual board meeting. The 10-minute presentation ensures understanding of how the cultural tax credit works and how easy it is to claim.
“This has been a challenging year for cultural organizations,” says Aili Schreiner, trust manager, “but we know that when Oregonians support each other, we succeed.” To schedule your board presentation, email Schreiner at [email protected].
Annual grants also awarded$2.7 million awarded to 128 cultural organizations Amidst the flurry of news about the CRF Cultural Support program, the Cultural Trust hasn’t yet properly congratulated the 128 organizations that shared $2.7 million in grants awarded through our annual grant programs.
The awards include a total of $676,760 to the Cultural Trust’s five statewide partners (Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Heritage Commission, Oregon Humanities, Oregon Historical Society and the State Historic Preservation Office); $676,760 to 45 County and Tribal Cultural Coalitions – for regranting in their communities; and $1,353,520 in competitive Cultural Development Program awards to 78 cultural organizations serving most geographic regions of the state.
Many of the Cultural Development grant awards support engagement efforts during social distancing. Highlights include: preserving and sharing Hawaiian traditional cultural practices online and in person by first-time grant recipient Kapi Oanuenue in Ashland; cultural programs to reengage the community by the Tower Theatre Foundation in Bend; “From the Streets to the Symphony,” a documentary of new music by houseless young filmmakers and Oregon Symphony creative chair Gabriel Kahane by Outside the Framein Portland; and the development of the first Oregon Online African American Museum by Oregon Black Pioneers in Salem. First-time Cultural Trust grant award recipient Kapi Oanuenue of Ashland.
A 1953 photo of the Bear-Sleds Ranger Station, to become the new home of the Wallowa History Center, supported by a FY2021 Cultural Trust grant award.Giving guides go live in Portland, Central Oregon In addition to its longstanding sponsorship of the Willamette Week Give!Guide in Portland, this year the Cultural Trust also is participating in the Central Oregon Gives Guide presented by The Source Weekly in Bend. The Portland Give!Guide is live now. Central Oregon Gives, which raised more than $500,000 for local nonprofits in its first year (2019), goes live on Nov. 14.
Both guides showcase local arts and culture organizations and promote the cultural tax credit opportunity. They also offer donor incentives and prize opportunities, including a Give!Guide McMinnville Wine Country Package on Dec. 29, sponsored by the Cultural Trust. Check them out!
Oregon Arts Commission | Oregon Cultural Trust | 775 Summer Street NE #200, Salem, OR 97301
By Southern Oregon Artists Resource, 1974 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.
Coronavirus Relief Fund Cultural Support
application now live!
Salem, Ore. – Applications are now live and open for Oregon’s Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) Cultural Support program. Funds allocated to the Oregon Cultural Trust will be available to Oregon cultural organizations facing losses due to the COVID-19 health crisis. The $25.9 million in funding was made available through a $50 million relief package for Oregon culture recently approved by the Emergency Board of the Oregon Legislature.
The distribution plan for the CRF Cultural Support program was approved at the Aug. 6 Cultural Trust Board of Directors meeting. Applications are due by noon on Monday, Aug. 24, and approved funds must be distributed by Sept. 15.
“We are grateful to the members of our Board for authorizing us to move forward with the distribution plan as soon as possible,” said Brian Rogers, executive director of the Cultural Trust. “We have worked hard to develop a statewide, equitable distribution plan and look forward to supporting our cultural community in surviving this unprecedented crisis.”
All Oregon cultural nonprofits and community venues are welcome to apply. Eligible grant recipients include, but are not limited to, cultural institutions, county fairgrounds, cultural entities within federally recognized Indian Tribes based in Oregon, and festivals and community event organizations. Funds will be distributed through the Cultural Trust statewide network of County and Tribal Cultural Coalitions. Funding will be determined based on eligible request amounts, an award allocation formula that establishes a base amount of funds per county or tribe and the organization’s fiscal size. COVID-19 expenses previously reimbursed by other federal CARES Act programs are not eligible.
The intended use of the CRF Cultural Support funds is to provide financial assistance to cultural nonprofit organizations and community venues that have canceled or postponed public programming because of public health executive orders associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Guidelines for the funding are in accordance with theU.S. Department of the Treasury.
The federal CARES Act requires that CRF funding only be used to cover expenses that: are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency; were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020 (the date of enactment of the CARES Act); and were incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020, and ends on Dec. 30, 2020.
The Cultural Trust is committed to serving Oregon’s culturally diverse and traditionally underserved communities.
By Southern Oregon Artists Resource, 1974 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.
We are reaching out today to urgently ask you to advocate for Oregon’s cultural sector.
Next week on Monday, August 10th a special session has been called to rebalance the state’s budget due to the impacts of COVID-19. The session will include proposedGeneral Fund cuts to the arts of over $300,000, and specific cuts to the Cultural Resource Economic Fund (CREF)/lottery funded capital projects over $300,000. These projects include several significant historic and present-day community treasures that have relied on state commitments and that enrich our state for the future.
We need our advocates and members to urge Oregon’s legislature to reject these proposed cuts before Monday, August 10th. Please TAKE ACTION today by emailing the Oregon legislature. The form on our website will send your message to the legislators within your district based on your address.
Oregon’s arts, culture, heritage and humanities are critical to our recovery as people. We will need a strong and growing cultural sector that is understood as one of Oregon’s most important economic drivers of tourism and commerce.
Thank you for your attention and advocacy.
Dr. Nancy Golden
President, Board of Directors
Cultural Advocacy Coalition
By Southern Oregon Artists Resource, 1974 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.
$25.9 million allocated to Cultural Trust for statewide relief
Salem, Ore. – The Emergency Board of the Oregon Legislature approved a $50 million relief package for Oregon culture Tuesday that includes $25,984,872 to Business Oregon for statewide distribution to cultural organizations by the Oregon Cultural Trust. The funding was made available through the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund to address the devastating impact the COVID-19 health crisis is having on Oregon’s arts and cultural community.
“We are extremely grateful to lawmakers for recognizing that preserving our culture is essential as we navigate through this unprecedented crisis,” said Chuck Sams, chair of the Cultural Trust Board. “Our collective culture is the glue that binds us together as Oregonians, especially during challenging times. Arts and culture cross all boundaries and inspire us to celebrate our diversity and resilience as a people.”
The Cultural Trust is working with the Oregon Arts Commission to develop statewide, equitable funding distribution to be administered through the Cultural Trust’s County and Tribal Coalitions, said Brian Rogers, executive director of the Cultural Trust and the Arts Commission. The statewide distribution plan is expected to be reviewed by the Cultural Trust Board of Directors at its July 23 meeting. Coronavirus Relief Funds are mandated to be distributed by Sept. 15, 2020.
The remainder of the relief funding package for culture was allocated directly to several statewide cultural organizations and to for-profit and nonprofit performing venues.
Since the crisis began, nonprofit cultural organizations across the state have cancelled thousands of performances, events and activities – including key fundraising events – and most have closed their doors to the public. The loss of projected earned income, lifeblood for most cultural organizations, has resulted in significant layoffs and furloughs. Many organizations are at risk of bankruptcy and permanent closure.
A recent survey of 330 Oregon cultural nonprofits by the Cultural Trust revealed that participants projected a collective loss of $40 million and average losses of $121,281 by June 30. The majority of respondents (54 percent) have annual revenues of less than $250,000 and operate outside of the Portland Metro area.
“Our distribution of the relief funds will ensure that cultural organizations in every county, serving every geographic region of our state, will benefit,” said Rogers. “At times like these we depend on our arts, history, heritage and humanities to help us persevere. These funds will go a long way in ensuring our cultural community survives this crisis.”
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About the Oregon Cultural Trust
Created in 2001 by the Oregon Legislature, the Oregon Cultural Trust is a testament to how much Oregonians value culture. No other state provides a 100 percent tax credit to inspire cultural giving. As uniquely Oregonian as public beaches and the bottle bill, the Oregon Cultural Trust was designed as an ongoing funding engine for arts and culture across the state. Oregonians fund the Cultural Trust. We, in turn, fund the artists, potters, poets, acrobats and dreamers who define our famous quality of life.
In 2019 Oregonians gave $4.5 million to the Cultural Trust. Sixty percent of that went straight back to the field. The remaining 40 percent helped grow our permanent fund. Our three grant programs fund our five Statewide Partners, 45 County and Tribal Coalitions and 1,450+ qualified cultural nonprofits through competitive Cultural Development Grants.
By Southern Oregon Artists Resource, 1974 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.
URGENT! MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD FOR OUR CULTURAL VENUES BEFORE TUESDAY.
As you may have heard the Oregon Legislature is meeting this week in both an Emergency Board session and a special session. We need your voice.
Our colleagues have been working hard to convince our policymakers to allocate federal CARES dollars to keep our performing arts and culture venues open. We call this “life support for venues” (with thanks to Jim Brunberg!). Led by Representative Rob Nosse and the Independent Venue Coalition, this effort makes it clear that funding nonprofits and small businesses is critical to Oregon’s COVID-19 recovery. We must be at the table for economic support if we are to recover.
The time is now! The Emergency Board will vote on Tuesday to make this allocation.
Please let members of the Emergency Board know how important this investment is to your communities and to Oregonians all across this state.
We need letters, emails, and phone calls to these members who are listed below.
Key points to make:
We support life support for Oregon’s venues where art and culture live.
Venues are statewide. If you live outside of Portland, your voice is especially important.
Venues are ALL independent in Oregon, we want to keep them that way. Money spent in Oregon venues stays in Oregon.
These are places where families meet and gather. Where couples meet and families start. Culture and community.
Jobs, jobs, jobs. Thousands of livelihoods.
Economic impact: over a billion.
People move here to be part of music and arts performance network. It’s something Oregon is proud of.
These stages give voice to the voiceless, to perspectives that would otherwise not be heard.
Thank you for joining us in this effort!
Cultural Advocacy Coalition
Southern Oregon Artists Resource editor’s note: We sent a lengthy email touching all the bases listed above to all the representatives and senators listed above as we reposted this article. Please make time to write a thoughtful email putting all these important points into your own words TODAY!
By Southern Oregon Artists Resource, 1974 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.
Cultural Trust survey reveals devastating impact
of COVID-19 on Oregon culture
Salem, Ore. –The majority of Oregon’s cultural organizations are facing suspension of operations or permanent closure due to the COVID-19 impact, reveals an Oregon Cultural Trust survey released today.
The most comprehensive survey of Oregon’s cultural community since the crisis began, the survey includes data and comments from 330 cultural nonprofits representing 83 percent of Oregon counties. Participants project a collective loss of $40 million and average losses of $121,281 through June 30. The majority of respondents (54 percent) have annual revenues of less than $250,000 and operate outside of the Portland Metro area.
More than half (51 percent) of respondents have not applied for the federal Payroll Protection Program (PPP), likely due to the fact that 44 percent employ less than one full-time staff member – relying mostly on a volunteer workforce. Of the 49 percent that did apply for PPP, only 73 percent have received funds to-date. More than 90 percent of those that did receive PPP funds report the funding is “not adequate to support their financial losses.”
“The PPP loan is a financial band-aid for the short term, but for us to continue to provide our essential service…there will be a need for continued relief funding well into the next fiscal year and possibly beyond,” reports the Tillicum Foundation, which operates nonprofit radio stations in Astoria, Tillamook and Warrenton.
“Quite frankly right now it looks grim,” reports the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts, “when the PPP monies are gone we may be looking at a ‘staffless’ OCCA for a while.”
Because most cultural organizations rely on large gatherings for ticket and rental revenue, they rank at the top of Oregon business sectors most severely affected by the crisis. They also will be the slowest to reopen, given the indefinite ban on large gatherings due to COVID-19. “Without any earned revenue, we are relying entirely on philanthropy and government support,” reports the Portland Art Museum.
“[Without relief funding,] we will have to close our doors and lose the investment of our community over 30 years,” reports the Gilbert House Children’s Museum in Salem.
The survey also revealed particular hardship for cultural organizations in rural areas. Bend’s High Desert Museum reports that “museums and cultural organizations in more rural areas will be hit hardest immediately and will have a much longer recovery period – we saw this during the recession and the indicators point to a similar pattern now…funding to help organizations like the High Desert Museum be resilient for the next 12-24 months is critical.”
Survey comments also reflect the concern cultural organizations have for the vulnerable populations they serve. The Shadow Project, which provides learning support for children with disabilities, reports that “during COVID-19 these children are even more vulnerable, at highest risk of falling further behind and exacerbated mental health disorders.”
“Underserved rural populations define the youth and families we serve,” reports the Drexel H. Foundation in Vale, where 21 percent of the population lives in poverty.Their outreach programs are “free to all, reducing economic barriers to learning, cultural experiences and art participation for all ethnic groups. Grantors have cancelled funding opportunities we had counted upon….[t]oo many resources have disappeared.”
The Cultural Trust is currently awaiting Legislative consideration of its Emergency Cultural Relief Fund proposal, which would deploy up to $10 million of its$29 million permanent fund to create an emergency relief funding program for Oregon’s cultural organizations.
By Southern Oregon Artists Resource, 1974 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 Cultural Trust News and Updates
May 2020
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Anis Mojgani named Oregon’s 10th Poet Laureate
Governor Kate Brown has named Anis Mojgani (AH-neess Mozh-GAH-nee), a two-time individual champion of the National Poetry Slam and an International World Cup Poetry Slam winner, to a two-year appointment as Poet Laureate of Oregon. Anis succeeds Kim Stafford, who has held the post since 2018, to become Oregon’s 10th Poet Laureate.
“Anis is the pragmatic optimist Oregon needs in these unprecedented times,” says Governor Brown. “His words breathe fresh air into the anxiety and negativity that we all feel. He urges us to resolutely reflect in the moment and with each grounding breath, our hearts ‘come closer and come into this.’”
Born in New Orleans to Black and Iranian parents, Anis first called Oregon home in 2004. He is the author of five books of poetry including his latest, “In the Pockets of Small Gods.”
Updated COVID-19 resources for cultural organizations
The Cultural Trust continues to update relief resources for cultural organizations impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis. New to the list is $450,000 in funding from Oregon Humanities made possible by the CARES Act funding to the National Endowment for the Humanities and The Western States Arts Federation’s WESTAF CARES Relief Fund for Organizations, which opened May 6.
The Business Oregon Small Business Navigator is updated daily, with many resources open to nonprofits.
Panelist grant application review process begins
Artifacts at the Portland Chinatown Museum, a FY2020 Cultural Development grant award recipient.
Soon after the May 8 application deadline for the Cultural Trust’s FY2021 Cultural Development Program, volunteer grant panelists will begin their review process. Applications are reviewed and scored by individuals chosen for their diverse cultural expertise and geographic, ethnic and gender diversity. The review panels will meet between June 9 and 18 and their scores are used to rank the applications.
Based on panel ranking, Trust staff prepares funding recommendations that are reviewed and acted on by the Cultural Trust Board of Directors in July. Grant awards will be announced in August.
Cultural organizations among hardest hit by health crisis
A recent survey by Business Oregon revealed that the arts, creative and recreation industry ranks at the top of business sectors suffering losses due to the COVID-19 health crisis. If able, cultural donors are urged to consider making donations early this year to help sustain the organizations that make a difference in their community.
As always, matching donations to the Cultural Trust prior to June 30 will increase the funds available for FY2021 grant making. The funding pool for grants is calculated based on fiscal year donations, with up to 60 percent allocated for grant making and the remainder for permanent fund growth.
A recent surveyby Business Oregon shows that the arts, entertainment and recreation industry has suffered more than any sector except accommodations during the COVID-19 health crisis.
Cultural Trust survey to capture COVID-19 relief needs
While awaiting Legislative consideration of its Emergency Cultural Relief Fund proposal, the Cultural Trust is reaching out to Oregon’s 1,400+ cultural nonprofits to survey them on COVID-19 impacts and progress in securing other relief funding.
The survey will be distributed via direct email on Friday, May 8, with a deadline of May 17. Results will help to build a case for passage of the Cultural Relief Fund.Like most performing arts groups, the Little Ballet Theatre in Warrenton has cancelled all classes and performances during the COVID-19 health crisis. Little Ballet Theatrein Warrenton has cancelled all classes and performances during the COVID-19 health crisis.
Oregon Arts Commission | Oregon Cultural Trust | 775 Summer Street NE #200, Salem, OR 97301
By Southern Oregon Artists Resource, 1974 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 Cultural Trust January 2020 News and Updates
Grant seekers alert!
2020 “Conversations” series features more funders than ever
“Conversations” are informal information sessions that enable grant seekers to learn about funding programs available and have the opportunity to discuss their projects and programming.
More funders than ever before will join the Cultural Trust, including the Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Heritage, Oregon Humanities and the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office as well as The Oregon Community Foundation, the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, Travel Oregon, Oregon Parks and Recreation, the State Library of Oregon, the Marion Soil and Water Conservation District, Business Oregon’s Regional Development Officers and Portland’s Regional Arts and Culture Council, among others.
Special note: Free grant writing workshops, presented by Travel Oregon, will be held in conjunction with the events in Coos Bay, Pendleton and Bend.
Read the release, with full schedule and registration links for the free grant writing workshops.
Alana Garner, working with the La Grande Main Street Downtown program, shows her economic development spirit during the 2018 La Grande Conversations event.
Guidelines now posted for FY2021 Cultural Trust grants
Among the funding opportunities discussed at the upcoming “Conversations with Funders and Partners” sessions will be the Cultural Trust’s FY2021 Cultural Development Program (awards to be announced summer of 2020).
Grant guidelines are now posted for a Friday, April 17, application deadline. The application link with go live in February.
In 2019 the Cultural Trust awarded more than $2.7 million in statewide grants. Cultural Development Program grants represent one third of the annual funding the Cultural Trust provides to Oregon’s cultural nonprofits. Other funding includes grants to the Trust’s five statewide partners – to support their mission goals and respective funding programs – and to 45 county and tribal cultural coalitions that fund local initiatives, projects and programs.
FY2021 Cultural Development Program grants are for projects and activities that will occur between Sept. 1, 2020, and Aug. 31, 2021.
For more information contact Aili Schreiner at [email protected] or 503-986-0089.
A scene from the Willamette Light Brigade’s 2019 Portland Winter Light Festival. The 2020 Winter Light Festival, scheduled for Feb. 6-8, is supported by a FY2020 Cultural Development grant award from the Cultural Trust.
2019 Give!Guide donations set all-time record
While the Cultural Trust’s 2019 fundraising results are still being finalized, there is one number worth celebrating now. Cultural Trust donations on the Willamette Week Give!Guide reached an all-time high of more than $443,000. The previous Give!Guide record was $407,000, set in 2017.
The Cultural Trust is incredibly grateful to its partners at Willamette Week – and to Give!Guide donors – for their steadfast support of Oregon culture.
A theme graphic from the 2019 Willamette Week Give!Guide.
Grant Project Spotlight
Theater enhances learning at Beaverton Civic Theatre
Supported by a FY2020 Cultural Development grant award, the Beaverton Civic Theatre’s Young Audience series integrates theater with early literacy practices, serving as a brain-building resource for parents and caregivers.
Next up in the series is “Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience” on Feb. 8, 9 and 15. Wilbur, played by Jonathan Moothart, surprises his fellow naked mole rats by discovering a love for clothing and style – eventually proving there’s no need to be just like everyone else.
The 10 a.m. events on Feb. 8 and 15 are sensory performances, designed for children with autism spectrum disorder, sensory sensitivities and other disabilities.
Roberta Kirk of Warm Springs honored with national spirit award
Congratulations to Roberta J. Kirk of Warm Springs on her First Peoples Fund 2020 Community Spirit Award! The award honors Roberta for her traditional beadwork and regalia as well as her devotion and service to her community and tribe. A master artist in the Oregon Folklife Network’s Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program, Roberta was nominated by Riki Saltzman, the executive director of the Folklife Network.
“I believe it is because of her deep cultural knowledge that Roberta is able to imbue her regalia-making with such spirit and devotion,” says
Riki. “She embodies the Indigenous values of integrity, community and generosity.”
Roberta J. Kirk wearing one of her traditional Plateau Shell dresses.
By Southern Oregon Artists Resource, 1974 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.
News and Updates
Double the impact of Giving Tuesday!
If you participated in #GivingTuesday with a gift to any one or more of these cultural nonprofits, you are eligible to double the impact of your gift with Oregon’s Cultural Trust tax credit.
There’s no reason to wait until the end of the year to match these gifts.
New tax laws make cultural tax credit more valuable
The recent change in federal tax laws had the unintended consequence of discouraging charitable giving by reducing the number of taxpayers claiming a deduction for their gifts, which makes the Cultural Trust tax credit an even more important tool for Oregon taxpayers. The tax credit is unaffected by the 2018 tax law changes. Working with the Oregon Department of Revenue, the Trust recently posted frequently asked questions and answers on its website.
The chart below shows total tax savings, net cash outlay and value of contributions for taxpayers that do not itemize. Similar information for taxpayers who itemize on both their state and federal returns, as well as those that itemize on their state return can be found here. The IRS provides more detailed rules on charitable contributions and state or local tax credits or deductions on its website.
Please review these materials and assure all your friends that the benefits of the cultural tax credit are alive and well!
Donor profile
McLaren Innes protects Astoria’s cultural heritage
Fiber artist and activist McLaren Innes is passionate about protecting the cultural heritage of Astoria, her home for the last 41 years.
“I am honored to be retired here. I donate to local organizations that produce music, art and other creative offerings that strive to preserve our cultural history,” says McLaren. “I give because they need it and they are incredibly important to our community.”
A Cultural Trust donor since 2003, McLaren makes her donation to the Cultural Trust online using some Required Minimum Distribution funds from her retirement. “That way I avoid taxes on those funds,” she says.
“The Cultural Trust is the best investment Oregonians can make in their culture,” says McLaren. “It’s a no brainer when a donation that nurtures a worthy nonprofit also provides a significant tax advantage to the donor.”
McLaren Innes
Five more FY2020 grant awards announced!
Five more Oregon cultural nonprofits will receive FY2020 Cultural Development funding from the Oregon Cultural Trust.
The additional grant awards are the result of funds being returned by two previous awardees (whose projects are not moving forward) and brings the total of FY2020 grant awards to 139!
Eugene-Springfield Youth Orchestras empower students
Nothing conveys the incredible impact a donation to the Oregon Cultural Trust can have more than the adorable students in the Eugene-Springfield Youth Orchestras’ String Academy sharing their pride and delight.
Because people like you took the time to donate, for which the state of Oregon will reimburse you at tax time, the orchestra is a bright spot in the lives of 145 children who might not otherwise have access. And that truly is something you can’t put a price on.
The impact of the Cultural Trust, in the
words of students.
Mark Renard of Lake Oswego
appointed to Cultural Trust Board
Mark Renard, the executive vice president of Johnstone Financial Advisors in Lake Oswego, has been appointed to the Oregon Cultural Trust Board of Directors by Gov. Kate Brown.
For several years Renard has applied his financial acumen to advocating on behalf of the Cultural Trust, authoring opinion pieces and founding AccessArt, a co-op marketing and art exhibition program. AccessArt connects business, the community and artists at quarterly events hosted at Johnstone’s historic building in downtown Lake Oswego.
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“Mark has been a great champion of the Cultural Trust for years,” said Charles Sams III, chair of the Cultural Trust Board. “We are extremely fortunate that he has agreed to make his passion for our work official by joining the Board of Directors.”
Deb Schallert 
News and Updates November 2020 
Like most performing arts groups, the Little Ballet Theatre in Warrenton has cancelled all classes and performances during the COVID-19 health crisis.
