The Oregon Cultural Trust Board announced $1,618,056 in approved grants for the coming year at its quarterly meeting in Newport July 25.  

Awards of $539,351 were made in each of the Trust’s three grant categories: competitive cultural development grants,  cultural participation grants (to county and  tribal cultural coalitions), and  partner grants to  the Trust’s five statewide partners (Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Heritage Commission, Oregon Humanities, Oregon Historical Society and State Office of Historic Preservation). 

“The Cultural Trust, now in its tenth year of grant making, is supporting some of Oregon’s most innovative and inclusive arts, heritage and humanities programming. These are projects that bring us together as communities, inspire our children and attract thousands of visitors to our state,” said Christine D’Arcy, executive director. “We estimate the grantees’  direct spending in this round of funding  will be in excess of $14 million.” 

Cultural Development grants support a wide range of projects: preservation and renovation of such important stuctures as The WOW Hall in Eugene and the Happy Canyon Grandstand in Pendleton;  tours of live performces to be undertaken by Eugene Ballet, Portland Baroque Orchestra and the Portland Youth Philharmonic, and projects that connect culture with Oregon youth and families. 

Although 28 of the 49 Cultural Development grants will go to groups in the Portland metro area, many will support performances, residencies, classes, and workshops in smaller towns. Portland Opera to Go, Hand2Mouth Theatre, Oregon Children’s Foundation and Portland Youth Philharmonic, as examples, will tour as part of the scope of their grant. 

For Competitive Cultural Development  grants, by region, and Cultural Participation Grants were awarded to, click here for full press release.

*****

Outgoing Cultural Trust Board member and former Oregon Arts Commission and Cultural Trust Board Chair Norm Smith lauded the board for its funding recommendations. “I see increased accessibility and broadened reach as important themes of this year’s grant giving. Having served on the Trust Board since 2006, this represents to me a wonderful evolution – of the Cultural Trust’s grant making philosophy and the Oregon cultural community itself.”