The license plate to drive us all forward is finally here! Oregon’s diversity from its arts, lands, people, cultures, and wildlife are on full display on the new cultural license plate announced today by the Oregon Cultural Trust. The license plate, which features 127 cultural symbols, called Celebrate Oregon!, is available to purchase on October 1 via the Oregon DMV to mark the Trust’s 20th anniversary. 

The Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon (CACO) and our members are proud to have successfully advocated for the new license plate during the 2020 legislative session, in order to generate more funding for the Oregon Cultural Trust. The Trust receives a significant percentage of the plate sales, and funds are used to assist in the Trust’s marketing, as well as fund arts, culture, heritage, and humanities nonprofits via various grant opportunities. 

“We believe artists, musicians, performers, and cultural providers are truly the second responders in our daily healing. The new plate honors them visually and provides opportunity through funding and policy,”  said Sue Hildick, Senior Advisor of the Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon (CACO). “We encourage all Oregonians to show your support for our shared recovery by putting this new plate on your vehicle.” 

While you wait to order your new plate, be sure to peruse the interactive visual key that explains the meaning behind each cultural symbol. The artwork was created by Liza Burns of Eugene and will also become vibrant murals installed in the Eugene, Medford, Portland, and Redmond airports, sponsored by GreenCars.com. In addition, a 38-foot outdoor banner will be installed at the Northwest Film Center at the Portland Art Museum.

Curious how the artist and the artwork was selected? Be sure to read Oregon Cultural Trust’s full press release detailing the selection and design process.