Oregon’s 45 county and tribal cultural coalitions are one of several aspects of the Trust that make it unique. No other state has a county-by-county network of cultural plans, specific to the assets and needs of each county; and no other cultural funding program treats tribal governments in parity with cities, counties and the state.
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The coalition program – which receives 1/3 of the Trust’s grant money each year – allows Cultural Trust support to be deep – reaching every county in Oregon – and broad – funding arts, heritage and humanities. Dedicated volunteer boards make decisions, based on their county’s specific cultural plans and grant guidelines, to fund arts education programs, local history preservation projects, community theater and library programs toddlers and elders.
The program intends to increase public participation in Oregon culture. By encouraging people to experience and appreciate local cultural resources, it fosters the development of a community cultural identity. With local autonomy, the coalitions involve the community in creating, sharing, documenting, celebrated and developing that cultural identity.
The Cultural Trust supports local cultural development, as each county and tribe shapes its specific cultural priorities. Coalition funds are allocated with a base of $6,000 and additional money based on population. The Cultural Trust makes state cultural funding available to many rural counties that, otherwise, would not have it.
