You are here: Public News > Public – Private Partnership Supports Artist Residencies in Rural Oregon Schools
A partnership between The Ford Family Foundation and the Oregon Arts Commission will support multi-year artist residencies in at least 68 rural and underserved schools in 55 Oregon communities starting this month. Grant funds from The Ford Family Foundation awarded to the Arts Commission are providing targeted funds to enable schools to buy residency services from the Arts Commission’s Arts Education Network, twelve non-profit arts groups providing arts education programs and services across Oregon.
“This funding comes at a pivotal time as schools are facing extraordinary funding challenges. Teachers and administrators understand the critical links between the arts and academic and social development – and they are seeking ways to maximize educational value for students and staff,” said Christine D’Arcy, Executive Director of the Arts Commission. “What is significant about this private investment is that it leverages the capacity and outreach of a public agency like the Arts Commission to maximize benefit to local schools and communities. The Commission’s Arts Education Network functions as a conduit and broker, linking schools and artists to make sure the arts continue to be an integral component of education across the state.”
Rural Residency Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. Any Oregon school or district that is rural and underserved may request support. Request the funding guidelines as well as contact information on Oregon’s Regional Arts Education Network from oregon.artscomm@state.or.us or (503) 986-0082. The information is also available on the Arts Commission’s website: www.oregonartscommission.org.
Communities amd Schools Selected for Rural Artist Residencies Grants are: Applegate: Applegate School Ashland: Pinehurst School Boardman: Sam Boardman Elementary School Butte Falls: Butte Falls School District Canyon City: Humbolt Elementary School Cave Junction: The Dome School Cave Junction: Evergreen Elementary Central Point: Sams Valley Elementary Clatskanie: Clatskanie Elementary School Clatskanie: Clatskanie Middle/High School Condon: Condon School District Cottage Grove: Harrison Elementary School Cottage Grove: Latham Elementary School Cottage Grove: London Elementary School Dayville: Dayville School Elgin: Stella Mayfield School Elkton: Elkton Elementary Enterprise: Enterprise Elementary and High School Eugene: Applegate Elementary School Eugene: Crow High School Eugene: Crow Middle School Falls City: Falls City Elementary Florence: Siuslaw Middle School Gilchrist: Gilchrist Elementary School Glide: Glide Elementary School Grande Ronde: Grand Ronde Elementary Grants Pass: Jerome Prairie Elementary Hines: Hines Elementary School Hood River: May Street Elementary School Hood River: Westside Elementary School Huntington: Huntington School Irrigon: A C Houghton Elementary School Joseph: Joseph Elementary School Junction City: Laurel Elementary School Junction City: Territorial Elementary School LaGrande: Willow Elementary School Lakeview: Union Elementary School Lebanon: Cascade Elementary School Lebanon: Lacomb School Lincoln City: Oceanlake School Lorane: Lorane Elementary School Malin: Malin Elementary School Milton-Freewater: McLoughlin High School Myrtle Creek: Myrtle Creek Elementary School Newport: Sam Case Elementary School Newport: Yaquina View Elementary School NorthPowder: North Powder School Oakland: Lincoln Middle School Oakridge: Oakridge Elementary School Parkdale: Parkdale Elementary School Paulina: Paulina Elementary School Powell Butte: Powell Butte Elementary School Powers: Powers Elementary School Prospect: Prospect Elementary School Roseburg: Fullerton IV Elementary School Roseburg: Green Primary School Roseburg: St Joseph Catholic School Scotts Mills : Scotts Mills School Seneca: Seneca School Siletz: Siletz School St Paul: Paul Elementary School, Toledo: Mary Harrison Elementary School Union: Union Elementary School Veneta: Veneta Elementary School White City: Mountain View Elementary School White City: White City Elementary School Williams: Williams Elementary School Winchester: Winchester Elementary School
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The Ford Family Foundation was established in 1957 by Kenneth W. and Hallie E. Ford to "give back to the community." The mission of the foundation is to help individuals through organized learning opportunities to be contributing and successful citizens, and to enhance the vitality of rural communities. The foundation is located in Roseburg, Oregon.
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.
