Eight Oregon arts organizations will receive $95,690 in funds from The Ford Family Foundation’s Art Acquisition Program, the Oregon Arts Commission announced today. The Art Acquisition Fund, managed by the Arts Commission, helps visual arts institutions with publicly accessible collections acquire seminal works by Oregon visual artists. The effort preserves public access to great works and supports artists and the institutions that sustain their work.

Salem, Ore. – Art as a medium to rally community around a shared need is reflected in 34 Oregon projects awarded $200,000 in 2015 Arts Build Communities grants from the Oregon Arts Commission.

Vacant downtown storefronts become celebrations of community in Corvallis; incarcerated youth fulfill treatment requirements by sharing their stories through pictures or performance in Clackamas County; and in Enterprise, Fishtrap inspires 1,700 people to read Luis Alberto Urrea’s “Into the Beautiful North” before engaging in discussions, events and activities that explore Latino issues.

Fifteen Oregon arts groups that provide services to broad populations have been awarded $200,000 in 2015 Arts Services grants to fund ongoing operations.