Deschutes Cultural Trust to distribute nearly $1 million in COVID-19 relief funds

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Coronavirus Relief Fund Cultural Support grant awards totaling $998,668 will be distributed to 25 cultural organizations across Deschutes County through a partnership between the Oregon Cultural Trust and the Deschutes Cultural Coalition.

The funds, allocated to the Cultural Trust for Oregon cultural organizations facing losses due to the COVID-19 health crisis, were made available through a $50 million relief package for Oregon culture approved by the Emergency Board of the Oregon Legislature in July. A total of $25.7 million was awarded statewide.

“Recognizing the essential role arts and culture play in building and maintaining a healthy society is not something states typically do in a crisis. Oregon has in an unprecedented way,” says Cate O'Hagan, Co-chair, Deschutes Cultural Coalition. “Every corner of this beautiful state will receive an infusion of funds to support our local creative assets.  The Deschutes Cultural Coalition, in partnership with its parent organization, the Oregon Cultural Trust, is honored to be entrusted with the distribution of these funds on a local level. “

“Due to the incredible need, we were able to fund a percentage of organizations’ eligible expenses,” said Brian Rogers, Cultural Trust executive director. “Smaller organizations received a higher percentage of their eligible expenses. The final awards represent a statewide, equitable distribution plan that was approved by our Board of Directors, the Governor’s Office, Business Oregon and our legislative sponsors.” The organizations to receive funding include cultural institutions, county fairgrounds, cultural entities within federally recognized Indian Tribes based in Oregon, festivals and community event organizations, in addition to some for-profit organizations that have significant cultural impact in their communities.

Below is a list of grants made to Deschutes County organizations:

BEAT                                                                                           Bend                   $ 43,667

Bend Health Guide                                                                Bend                   $ 3,986

Bend Photo Tours, LLC                                                         Bend                   $ 14,754

BendFilm, Inc.                                                                         Bend                   $ 81,148

Cascade School of Music                                                     Bend                   $ 51,393

Central Oregon Community College Foundation        Bend                   $ 1,619

COSA, Inc.                                                                                 Bend                   $ 9,429

Deschutes County Historical Society                               Bend                   $ 33,636

Deschutes Public Library Foundation                             Bend                   $ 9,199

Downtown Bend Business Association                           Bend                   $ 2,077

High Desert Chamber Music                                              Bend                   $ 18,066

La Pine Frontier Days Association                                    La Pine               $ 7,326

Lay It Out Inc.                                                                          Bend                   $ 44,337

Opera Bend                                                                              Bend                   $ 3,185

Scalehouse                                                                               Bend                   $ 37,407

Silent Echo Theater Company                                           Sisters                $ 4,630

Sionna Productions                                                               Redmond          $ 78,062

Sisters Folk Festival Inc                                                        Sisters                $ 194,998

Sisters Rodeo Association                                                   Sisters                $ 32,798

SSJ, Inc. (Sister Quilt Festival)                                            Sisters                $ 10,205

Sunriver Music Festival Inc.                                                Sunriver            $ 28,172

Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory                          Sunriver            $ 7,751

Sunriver Stars Community Theater                                  Sunriver            $ 3,616

Tower Theatre Foundation Inc                                          Bend                   $ 269,881

World Muse                                                                             Bend                   $ 7,326

Total                                                                                                                       $ 998,668

For a list of all the grants made statewide, see the Oregon Cultural Trust’s press release.

ABOUT THE DESCHUTES CULTURAL COALITION: Oregon’s 45 county and tribal Cultural Coalitions, of which the Deschutes Cultural Coalition is one, are funded directly by the Trust and are unique to the state. Led by dedicated volunteers, the Deschutes Cultural Coalition prioritizes community cultural goals and annually distributes seed grants that address the needs of ou