“I believe the arts have the power to connect and uplift people, foster understanding and acceptance between cultures, draw attention to society’s ills, and provide a roadmap to a better future.”
–Jenny Green
A conversation with our new board member: arts advocate, historian, and gallerist Jenny Green.
Tell us about your involvement in the arts.
I’ve been immersed in arts and education for the past 30 years. I’ve worked for museums, auction houses, and art galleries and taught art history at Central Oregon Community College.
I’ve opened two art galleries: the Jenny Green Gallery, an “occasional gallery” that exhibited in pop-up spaces and art fairs in Bend; Palm Springs; New York; Miami; and Venice, Italy; and At Liberty Gallery (now the Scalehouse Gallery), which I opened with friends.
In addition to joining the board of the Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon (CACO), I chair the Oregon Arts Commission and serve on the Scalehouse Collaborative for the Arts board. I believe people’s lives are better when they can access arts and culture.
What led you into the arts?
I am not an artist, but I stand in awe of the power and gift artists have. Even as a child I was always drawn to the arts, intrigued with the stories art can express. I’m happiest when surrounded by arts and culture.
Tell us about what your work in central Oregon.
I’ve served on the boards of Scalehouse, World Muse, Bend Cultural Tourism Fund, Ellipse Theatre Community, Cascades Academy of Central Oregon, and the Arts & Culture Alliance of Central Oregon. I have also served in an advisory role to the High Desert Museum.
Why did you decide to join the CACO board?
I believe in CACO’s mission to increase ongoing public investment in arts, heritage, and the humanities. I firmly believe that arts and culture make us stronger – as individuals, families, businesses, communities, and a state.
Arts and culture are the foundation of innovation, prosperity, and vibrant people and places. We need robust funding for arts & culture, as they benefit Oregonians across the state.
Tell us about your work as commissioner of the Oregon Arts Commission.
I am honored to play a role in supporting artists and arts organizations across the state. The arts connect and uplift people, foster understanding and acceptance among cultures, draw attention to society’s ills, and provide a roadmap to a better future. The only downside is having to turn away deserving grant applicants because of lack of funds. Increasing funding for arts is one of CACO’s goals, and this is where my work with the two organizations converges.
What do you love most about your job?
I love working with and supporting artists and arts organizations. Most artistic creations have a vibrant pulse at their core, and life is more exciting when I am closer to that pulse.
How can Oregon arts & culture be more inclusive?
The answer to this question lies in connection and hard work. We need to make better connections across Oregon’s diverse population to celebrate and support the arts and culture of all Oregonians.
For too long we have celebrated and supported only a fraction of Oregon’s arts and culture. Systemic racism, inequities, and barriers have been embedded into how we define arts and culture, regulating who has access and which arts and culture have been valued.
This needs to change. All arts and culture organizations need to start or improve diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility to ensure that all voices are being represented and supported.
At the state level, public servants need to take seriously our responsibility to provide equitable access to arts & culture funding, programs, and services across the state.
Although the Oregon Arts Commission and CACO focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, we have more to do to remove barriers. Making arts and culture more inclusive will strengthen our great state and help build a vibrant, innovative, and prosperous foundation for all of Oregon.