New round of cultural funding aims to boost arts and education programs

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Applications are now open for the Deschutes Cultural Coalition’s 2026 Cultural Grants, which support arts, heritage, and humanities programs across the county.

The Coalition began accepting online applications Monday, November 3, with a submission deadline of Friday, January 16, 2026, at 5 p.m. Guidelines and instructions are posted at deschutesculturalcoalition.org. Grant awards will be announced in February.

This year’s grants are again sponsored by the Oregon Cultural Trust in partnership with Deschutes County, a collaboration that began in 2022 and will continue into 2026. The program is designed to help local cultural nonprofits strengthen both programming and operations.

“Essential general program and operating support continue to be challenging for cultural organizations to raise,” said Cate O’Hagan, president of the coalition. “The DCC, in partnership with Deschutes County, is on the ground in this county to supply some of that support so they, in turn, can serve our communities.”

In 2025, the Coalition awarded $42,500 to local nonprofits including Dry Canyon Arts Association, Sunriver Music Festival, and Ellipse Theatre Community. Funded projects must align with one or more priorities in the Deschutes Cultural Plan—raising cultural awareness, improving accessibility, expanding cultural education, and helping organizations build capacity.

The Deschutes Cultural Coalition is one of Oregon’s 45 county and tribal coalitions funded directly by the Oregon Cultural Trust. Led by local volunteers, the group sets community cultural goals and annually distributes seed grants based on county needs.

Past grant recipients and additional application details are available at deschutesculturalcoalition.org.