|
  |
||||||
| |||||||
The Oregon Arts Commission has elected Steve Forrester of Astoria as its chairman and Cynthia Addams of Salem as Vice Chair. Forrester, editor and publisher of The Daily Astorian, has been a political panelist for Oregon Public Broadcasting. With four others, he founded Willamette Week, a weekly newspaper published in Portland and served as its managing editor, arts page editor, editorial page editor and political writer. He is currently president of Liberty Restoration, Inc. in Astoria, promoting the renovation of the historic Liberty Theater into a performing arts center. "The Oregon Arts Commission has a vital agenda for the benefit of all Oregonians,” said Forrester “ The arts are central to community and quality of life in Oregon and must be used part of the solution as Oregon rebuilds its economy and attracts business investment to our state. Arts education is critical to a 21st century workforce. The Arts Commission's imperative is to strengthen arts and cultural education programs that have disappeared in our public schools," said Forrester, outlining the priorities for the year. Cynthia Addams of Salem was elected Vice Chair. Addams is the Director of Programs for The Collins Foundation, a general-purpose philanthropy with a long history of supporting the arts in Oregon. Previously Assistant to the President and Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations at Willamette University in Salem, Addams contributed to efforts to place art in public spaces on campus and to the development of the Hallie Ford Museum of Art. She continues to serve on the museum’s Advisory Board. After receiving both a BA and MA in art history from the University of Oregon, Addams spent thirteen years in arts administration, including eight years as executive director of the Salem Art Association. 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 Oregon Economic and Community Development Department in 1993, in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities. Dated for freshness! Page last updated May 02, 2008 |
|||||||
| |||||||
