Oregon Arts Commission Announces Grants to Over 100 Oregon Arts Groups

Many grants were awarded to organizations in Salem, Corvallis and the Oregon coast.

The Hailie Ford Art Museum is one of the grant recepients Photo by: Tim King

(SALEM) - The Oregon Arts Commission has announced $655,500 in grants to 102 Oregon arts organizations awarded through its FY2007 Operating Support, Arts Services and Arts Learning Grant programs. “The organizations supported with these funds demonstrate the strength and breadth of the arts in Oregon,” said Cynthia Addams of Keizer, chair of the Arts Commission. “The Commission is pleased to be a partner in funding so many arts activities that benefit Oregon and its people.”

“The arts are integral to Oregon’s quality of life, community development and overall climate for growth,” said Christine D'Arcy, executive director of the Oregon Arts Commission. “From Pendleton to Oregon City, LaGrande to Medford, more Oregon communities use the arts to strengthen community ties and capacity. We are pleased to provide a small investment in some of our region’s strongest and most innovative arts groups.”

“The Commission’s Operating Support grants provide funds that support the work and outreach of Oregon’s leading arts groups,” said D'Arcy. The program recognizes artistic excellence as well as the role that arts organizations are taking in the broader social, educational and economic areas of community life. “Additionally, grants for arts learning support the arts as a powerful link to educational achievement and overall learning, contributing to Oregon’s development of a 21st century workforce.”

The Arts Commission reviewed 133 applications requesting over $1.7 million from Oregon-based arts organizations in this round of funding. “Making grants to arts organizations is one of the highest priorities of the Oregon Arts Commission and we are pleased to provide support in this tangible way,” said Cynthia Addams.

A list of the grant awards is attached. Local Oregon Arts Commission: FY2007 Grants:

Corvallis ArtCentric, $5,000 Arts Learning Grant: To support arts education residencies in Benton and Linn counties. Funds will also support the Cultural Enrichment Program, a program that assists schools with arts education outreach.

ArtCentric, $9,500 Arts Services Grant: To support the council’s services of arts information, leadership, and management of arts programs in its facility. As the Linn-Benton Arts Council, it offers a two-county arts publication, Arts Education residency program, Arts Reaching Youth At Risk, after-school arts programs, ArtsCare, and leadership/collaboration services.

Calyx Inc, $3,000 Operating Support Grant: To support production of fine literature and art by women, including the CALYX journal, which reaches 15,000 readers.

Chamber Music Corvallis, $2,000 Operating Support Grant: To support the presentation of chamber music ensembles and offer music education in the public schools.

Monmouth Edgar H Smith Fine Arts Series, $2,500 Operating Support Grant: To support four performances during the 2006-07 season as well as master classes and workshops for University students and performances for area school students.

Newport Bay Music Association, Inc., $2,000 Operating Support Grant: To support the 17th year of classical music events and music education opportunities to the Oregon coast communities.

Oregon Coast Council for the Arts, $4,000 Arts Learning Grant: To support on-going artists in residence in Lincoln county schools and provide funding to schools that participated in the Artists in Rural Schools Program, a follow-up survey to participating teachers & administrators, and the planning and implementation of an arts education fundraiser.

Oregon Coast Council for the Arts, $9,000 Arts Services Grant: To support technical assistance for local and regional organizations through quarterly regional gatherings, meetings, phone conferences, and general staff time. The OCCA operates the Newport Performing Arts Center and Newport Visual Arts Center as laboratories, classrooms, and performance spaces.

Oregon City Arts Action Alliance Foundation, $5,000 Arts Services Grant: To support the Alliance’s Mentors and Helpline requests responding to arts needs in Clackamas County and extending the Alliance’s ability to demonstrate arts solutions for community problems.

Otis Sitka Center for Art & Ecology, $5,000 Arts Services Grant: To support the Center’s workshop and residency programs benefitting 800 students and supporting 65 artists and scientists.

Oregon Folklife Program, Oregon Historical Society, $12,000 Arts Services Grant: To support statewide folklife services including the Oregon tribes documentation project and the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program.

Oregon Folklife Program, Oregon Historical Society, $4,000 Arts Learning Grant: To support the educational outreach of the Oregon Folklife Program including folk artists’ honoraria for school residencies, teacher release time, instructional materials, travel and supplies.

Salem Hallie Ford Museum of Art, $4,000 Operating Support Grant: To support the display of the permanent collection, changing exhibitions of regional art, lectures, films, tours and symposia reaching 36,000 people.

Oregon Alliance for Arts Education, $9,000 Arts Learning Grant: To support professional development for educators, advocacy and awareness presentations throughout Oregon, a research project in partnership with Western Oregon University, and work with the Oregon Department of Education on the development of the arts education component of a virtual school district.

Salem Art Association, $9,000 Arts Learning Grant: To support arts education programming in Marion and Polk county schools including artists in residence, Family Art Nights, teacher professional development, technical assistance to schools, after school activities, artist professional development, Art in the Park Summer Camp, and special projects.

The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, funding and arts programs through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine Commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission became part of the Economic Development Department in 1993; in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities. In 2003, the Oregon Legislature moved the operations of the Oregon Cultural Trust to the Arts Commission, streamlining operations and making use of the Commission’s expertise in grantmaking, arts and cultural information and community cultural development.

The Arts Commission is supported with General Funds appropriated by the Oregon Legislature and with federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust.