DIRECTOR’S UPDATE – September 2026
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Amy Lewin, Director of Arts and Culture
I’ve now had the privilege of leading the state of Oregon’s arts and culture programs—the Oregon Cultural Trust and Oregon Arts Commission—for the past nine months. And nearly every day, I find myself marveling at your work and your stewardship of culture in Oregon. Thank you all you do—and for offering your support and guidance during this transitional time.
Now, I’m pleased to report back that we’ve been hard at work this year striving to meet the needs of the cultural sector. Here is what I’ve prioritized in 2026 and the vision I see for the time ahead.
My First-Year Priorities
- Operational Support — Enhancing staff capacity and service delivery.
- Status of the Sector — Assessing how we can create foundational frameworks and voice for Oregon’s cultural sector in ways that will “float all boats.”
- Convening/Gathering — Creating opportunities for the sector to meet and align across communities, learn from diverse leaders, and foster regional engagement.
Operational Support & Customer Service Survey
Oregon Arts Commission and Cultural Trust board members, and staff in July 2026. Photo: Abram Katz
Thank you to the nearly 200 individuals and organizations who participated in our customer service survey this spring. Your feedback affirmed the value of our staff and highlighted timeliness as a core service area in need of improvement. Processing grant agreements within 60 days is now a top priority for our team.
Together, the Arts Commission and Cultural Trust distribute over 1,100 grants annually, totaling $6.8 million in grants in FY26. These funds support projects, operations, arts education, and professional development, helping communities thrive and build resilience.
The survey also showed that current funding for grants isn’t enough. Expanded support would make a meaningful difference. Despite statewide budget constraints, we know arts and culture investments catalyze activity: For instance, every $1 in federal funding leverages $9 in private and public funds, according to the National Endowment for the Arts.
I’ve taken your feedback to our Arts commissioners and Trust board members. With their support, we’re reexamining how we organize our team and resources to better deliver on timeliness of service and to better inform on why further investment can assist in activating local economies.
You can read more about the results of our survey here.
Status of the Sector
From left, Rep. Mari Watanabe, Rep. Shannon Isadore, Arts & Culture Director Amy Lewin and Rep. David Gomberg at the relaunch of the Art in the Governor’s Office program in June 2026.
There is much to celebrate in Oregon’s cultural sector.
For the third year in a row, we rank in the top 10 nationally for cultural vibrancy (SMU Data Arts). Arts and culture contribute $11 billion to and represent 4% of our state’s economy, and the arts and culture industry in Oregon employs more than 70,000 people, with $6 billion in wages and benefits (NEA).
Later this year we hope to further define, in a distinctly Oregon way, how we align and focus to meet the needs of a sector that drives this level of economic and social activity. That’s where your continued engagement will be vital.
We’re partnering with ECOnorthwest to define Oregon’s Creative Economy with a report debuting during the Arts & Culture Summit on December 2.
ICYMI: Please help by responding to our survey that will inform this report. The deadline is September 11.
We’re also preparing fact sheets to help you share the story of arts and culture in your region. Look for an update from our team later this fall with data points that articulate our program’s funding in your county and region, helping you share this story with your community.
I’m eager for our stories to connect to broader impact, especially as we gear up to recognize 25 years of the Oregon Cultural Trust starting in October. We’ll want your help in celebrating: The Trust is unique to Oregon, serves as a stable funding source for cultural nonprofits across our state, and will distribute a record $4.5 million in grants for FY2027! For the future, we aim to inspire even more Oregonians to participate.
Gathering & Events
Over the past several months, we’ve hosted community receptions in Eugene, Coos Bay, Sisters, Southern Oregon, Pendleton, Portland, and Salem. Thank you to everyone who helped organize or participated. These events have provided us with valuable insights and helped our team better understand what’s happening in your communities.
Now, it’s time for us to foster connection on the next level: For the first time in nearly a decade, we’re reviving the tradition of gathering the sector with two major events. Please join us on December 1 and 2, 2026 for the Oregon Arts & Culture Awards and Summit at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.
The Arts & Culture Awards on December 1 will be an evening to celebrate those who have made a profound impact within the state’s cultural sector as well as the 25th anniversary of the Cultural Trust.
NOMINATE: Nominations for this inaugural arts & culture industry awards are open. Please share and nominate by Friday, September 4.
On December 2, the Arts & Culture Summit will feature the debut of our Creative Economy Report and breakout sessions with advocates, leaders, and partners.
SAVE THE DATE: Registration opens on September 14.
A special thanks to the Oregon Community Foundation for their generous support as a key sponsor in helping us reactivate this gathering opportunity for Oregonians. Community partnerships are still available.
I also want to thank the partners of the Cultural Trust for their support in ensuring all 45 cultural coalitions can attend these events. If you are a coalition leader in your community, look for an update from us soon.
We know our volunteers in cultural coalitions are on-the-ground connectors for arts and culture in Oregon, and we’re looking forward to finding more ways to help provide technical support and assistance to this core community of leaders. I’m excited for the team to share more in the months ahead.
Moving Forward
As a lifelong Oregonian, I’ve seen how cultural events connect us and how creative experiences help communities heal and grow. Amid challenges like job loss, health issues, and natural disasters, you—our cultural community leaders—turn adversity into opportunity.
That’s a huge reason why I think that at its core, my role is about strengthening the heart of Oregon.
Together, we can reinvigorate how we talk about and support arts and culture, making Oregon’s economy and social infrastructure stronger.
Thank you for your partnership. Stay engaged and let us know how we can better serve you. We aim for bright days ahead.
With gratitude,
Amy Lewin
Oregon Arts and Culture Director