Oregon Cultural Trust awards record $2.9 million to nonprofits
A record 149 grants totaling $2.9 million will be awarded to Oregon’s cultural nonprofits by the Oregon Cultural Trust in fiscal year 2016-17, a 9 percent increase over last year. The increase is the direct result of another record year of fundraising.
The awards include a total of $714,045 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); $714,045 to 45 county and tribal cultural coalitions — for regranting in their communities; and $1,433,798 in competitive Cultural Development Grants to a record 99 cultural organizations across the state.
Cultural coalition base awards rose from $6,000 to $6,300; total coalition grants include a per capita multiplier that ranges from $15.62 for the Burns Paiute Tribe to .12 for the Multnomah County Cultural Coalition.
“The uniqueness of the Cultural Trust in the national landscape is a testament to Oregonians’ dedication to supporting culture,” said Carole Morse, chair of the Cultural Trust Board. “More than 10,000 families, individuals and businesses invest in the Trust every year to ensure future generations have access to active and culturally vibrant communities.”
“It is extremely gratifying to see the numbers continue to rise,” said Brian Rogers, the Cultural Trust’s executive director. “We are grateful to the legislature for the flexibility to award more of the money we raise to the groups contributing to Oregon’s cultural vitality. It’s an investment in the creative expression and cultural exchange that makes Oregon so special.”
The Cultural Development Grants include first-time awards to 45 organizations and the largest grants ever awarded — $40,000 — to eight groups: The Benton County Historical Society; The Dalles-Wasco County Library Foundation; Japanese Garden; Miracle Theatre Group; National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in Oregon; Oregon Public Broadcasting; Oregon Shakespeare Festival; and Portland Center Stage.
More than half of the grants were awarded to organizations outside of the Portland Metro area. Cultural Development Grants fund projects that address access, capacity, creativity and preservation.
Cultural Development Grants were awarded in Central Oregon to:
Camp Sherman Historical Society, Camp Sherman (Preservation): $8,013
Fireplace Restoration: To support restoration and repair of the masonry fireplace in a shelter constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corp at the Camp Sherman Campground.
Deschutes Public Library Foundation, Bend (Creativity): $12,994
A Novel Idea: To support the community read program, which includes more than 30 book discussions, cultural programs, art workshops, exhibits and scholarly presentations.
OperaBend, Bend (Access): $14,881
Puccini’s “La Boheme:” To support the presentation of the touring production across rural parts of Oregon.
Playa, Summer Lake (Creativity): $31,239
Residencies: To support the confluence of artists and scientists coming together for residencies and related activities.
Women’s Civic Improvement League DBA KPOV, Bend (Capacity): $7,835
Radio Signal Expansion: To support an expansion of KPOVs signal throughout Central Oregon in order to reach new audiences and better serve existing listeners.
