Funding Recognizes Longtime Contributions of the Arts in Communities
The Oregon Arts Commission has announced 22 awards in its Arts Recognition Grant program, acknowledging the strengths of Oregon arts organizations that have a record of excellence in programming, service and organizational capacity. The awards serve as a visible indication of Arts Commission support and will assist in raising an organization’s profile and in leveraging other funds and resources. The program brings recognition to the many arts organizations in Oregon, which have not received funding from the Commission due to reductions in public funding.
“The arts in Oregon contribute to building community and have the potential, with the right investment, to play an even stronger role in the state’s economy. The Arts Commission’s recognition of quality arts programs reinforces their efforts to strengthen their programs and increase resources. These awards illustrate the wide variety of arts organizations in Oregon, and the contributions they make to branding Oregon as a special place,” said Christine D’Arcy, Executive Director of the Arts Commission.
The Arts Commission established the Arts Recognition Grant program in 2004 to provide visible Commission support to help arts groups raise their profile in a community to better leverage funds and resources. The next round of applications for Arts Recognition Grants will be available online for use after July 15, 2006 and due September 1, 2006.
The Arts Commission awarded Arts Recognition Grants on March 3, 2006 to:
Ashland Rogue Valley Peace Choir , $1,000
In recognition of its use of music to inspire peace, equality and social justice. The choir is over 130 voices strong, and provides free public concerts in the Rogue Valley.
Contact: Donnan Runkel, 541-488-1050, runkels@silvercommunications.org
Eugene Downtown Initiative for the Visual Arts: DIVA , $1,000
In recognition of the Downtown Initiative for the Visual Arts’ mission to revitalize downtown Eugene using visual arts activities as a catalyst. Since 2003, DIVA has contributed to attracting artists, students and visitors to downtown Eugene by staging exhibits, classes, and film festivals. Contact: Carolezoom Patterson, 541-344-3482,carolezoom@mac.com
Florence Friends of Florence Events Center , $1,000
In recognition of building the volunteer support critical to the success of the Florence Events Center. For the past ten years, The Friends have organized a wide variety of events, from juried art shows to winter folk festivals.
Contact: Lis Farm, 541-997-1994,lis@eventcenter.org
Klamath Falls Klamath Arts Council , $1,000
In recognition of the outreach the Klamath Arts Council undertakes to promote the creative and diverse artistic experiences available in the Klamath Basin. The Klamath Arts Council has established an art walk, supports the whimsical Kinetic sculpture race and sponsors artist in residence programs throughout the area.
Contact: Lin Warner, 541-883-2009, warnerl@fireserve.net
La Grande Grande Ronde Symphony Association , $1,000
In recognition of the Symphony’s more than 50 years of musical enrichment using performance, classes and outreach in Union County. This orchestra serves as the link between the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra, the Youth Orchestra, Eastern Oregon University and the communities they serve.
Contact: Lorna Spain, 541-963-9066, spainl@eou.edu
Lincoln City Cascade Head Music Festival , $1,000
In recognition of the Festival’s 20 years of internationally recognized music programming and tradition of unique performances. The festival exists in order to bring world-class music and musical education to an area on the Oregon coast not otherwise served.
Contact: Connie D Isaac, 877-994-5333,conniei46@msn.com
McMinnville Gallery Players of Oregon , $1,000
In recognition of Gallery Players’ 25 year tradition of producing community theater in McMinnville. The Gallery Theatre produces original works, perennial classics, cabaret and youth performances and promotes community involvement.
Contact: Tricia Harrop, 503-472-2227, tharrop@macnet.com
Oregon City Krayon Kids Musical Theater Company , $1,000
In recognition of the ongoing “kids performing for kids” musical theatre work done by this Oregon City-based company. Krayon Kids presents at the Barclay Theatre, and has toured with a traveling troupe of kids, including a performance at the 2004 International Children’s Theatre Festival in Toyama, Japan.
Contact: Brian Stewart, 503-656-6099, brian.stewart3@comcast.net
Port Orford Port Orford Arts Council , $1,000
In recognition of the Port Orford Arts Council’s cultural, artistic and educational programs offered to North Curry County since 1977. Through arts classes, community sing-alongs, and presentation of professional theatre and musicians, this organization reaches almost all 1,200 area residents with arts programming.
Contact: Susan Kay Lincoln, 541-332-0487, cpalincoln@harborside.com
Portland Cascade Stereoscopic Club , $1,000
In recognition of the club’s unique mission to educate the public about the principles, aesthetics and history of 3D imagery, stereoscopic photography and illustrations. The club maintains, preserves, and restores stereoscopic images and apparatus and encourages the development of new techniques of stereoscopic photography and viewing.
Contact: Diane E. Rulien, 503-227-6667, dianer@easystreet.com
Cinema Project , Portland, $1,000
In recognition of the Cinema Project’s work to promote film and video art from the past to the present, working collaboratively to encourage the growth of a strong film and video community in Portland and helping to brand Portland as a center for the media arts.
Contact: Pablo Miguel de Ocampo, 503-232-8269, info@cinemaproject.org
Independent Publishing Resource Center , $1,000
In recognition of Center’s development of a community-based arts education program for artists interested in publishing and printing their own work. Based in downtown Portland, IPRC provides computer-publishing workstations, an extensive library of independent published books and six letterpress machines. Their outreach to new and emerging artists includes a partnership with Multnomah County Libraries, offering workshops during spring break and a free drop-in program for teens, Zine Canteen.
Contact: Pablo Miguel de Ocampo, 503-827-0249, pablo@iprc.org
Metropolitan Youth Symphony , $1,000
In recognition of the Symphony’s history of more than 30 years of music education and performance in the Portland Metro area for any student who wishes to participate. Music Director Lajos Balogh leads over 540 young musicians who participate in the diverse programs.
Contact: Matthew Jones, 503-517-0684,matthew@playmys.org
Northwest Print Council , $1,000 In recognition of the Northwest Print Council ‘s 25 years of support to contemporary fine art printmakers in the Northwest. The Council’s promotion of printmaking and the collection of original prints combined with their new Pearl District location has led to a significant increase in visibility, increased sales and the mounting of 12 exhibitions in the past year.
Contact: Jill McElroy, 503-525-9259, pan@printartsnw.org
Northwest Business for Culture and the Arts, $1,000
In recognition of NWBCA’s 20 years of support for art and culture through its well-organized affiliation of businesses, advocacy efforts, leadership development and sponsorship of highly visible events in support of the arts.
Contact: Virginia Willard, 503-228-2977,virginia@nwbca.org
ORLO , $1,000
In recognition of ORLO’s ten years of innovative use of the creative arts to explore environmental issues. ORLO uses thoughtful, highly engaging arts programming to make its case, including publication of the award winning Bear Deluxe Magazine, visual arts exhibits and video programming. Contact: Tom Webb, 503-242-1047, bear@orlo.org
Pacific Crest Wind Symphony , $1,000
In recognition of the Symphony’s over 15 years of providing a creative outlet for serious amateur musicians in the Portland metro area. Its performing ensemble consists of 40 brass, woodwind and percussion players who audition to perform in a series of local performances.
Contact: Chuck Dieter, 503-285-7621, cedieter@yahoo.com
Playwrite , $1,000
In recognition of Playwrite’s playwriting workshops for Portland area youth which strive to "empower youth with creative tools for self-expression”. Playwrite further spotlights the new plays by youth by using professional actors to present the work in public venues and by training coaches and actors to involve more teachers in the program.
Contact: Bruce Livingston, 503-249-5800,bruce@playwriteinc.org
Portland Actors Ensemble , $1,000
In recognition of their thirty year history of producing classical theatre in non-traditional environments with low-cost or free tickets. Their popular Shakespeare in the Parks program reaches more than 5,000 people each season.
Contact: Kathryn Schwartz, 503-227-6667, kathryn.schwartz@comcast.net
Portland Gay Men's Chorus , $1,000
In recognition of its 26th season of eclectic performances of choral art that honor, uplift and affirm the dignity and worth of all people. The Portland Gay Men’s Chorus has helped revive choral arts in America by commissioning and composing new works and performing music of exceptional quality.
Contact: Kaarin Smith, 503-226-2588, kaarin@juno.com
Roseburg
Umpqua Modern Dance Project , $1,000
In recognition of its three years of presenting modern dance to the Umpqua Valley through classes, performances and presenting of professional dance companies.
Contact: Valerie Ball, 541-673-6969, umpquamdp@gmail.com
St Benedict
Mount Angel Abbey & Seminary Bach Festival , $1,000
In recognition of the 30 year tradition of the three-day Abby Bach Festival, annual spring and winter concerts and their hosting of the Valley Calligraphy Guild in the beautiful setting of the Abbey.
Contact: Mary Corsetti, 503-845-3333,mcorsetti@mtangel.edu
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.
