16 Arts and Culture Capital Construction Projects Recommended for $11.88 Million

The Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon (CACO) has endorsed a slate of 16 capital construction projects totaling $11.88 million in Cultural Resources Economic Funds (CREF). We go through this process every two years. In spring 2024, we’ll announce the process for the following cycle.

The CACO board of directors received over 35 applications for 2023-25 arts & culture funding for capital projects across the state. Consulting with the Oregon Arts Commission and Oregon Cultural Trust, the board identified the following projects because of their geographic and cultural diversity, economic impact, and expanded access to the arts.  We are confident that state funds will support well-developed and viable projects on the endorsed slate.

The CACO board recommends the following 16 capital construction projects for CREF investment by the Oregon State Legislature:

• Black United Fund ($900,000), building the United Futures Complex (statewide)
• Clatsop County Historical Society ($1,000,000), expanding the Oregon Film Museum (Astoria)
• Friends of the Oregon Caves & Chateau ($455,690), restoring the Oregon Caves Chateau (Cave Junction)
• Literary Arts ($1,000,000), building new community space/headquarters (Portland)
• Columbia County Museum Association ($400,000), relocation and improved accessibility of the Columbia County Museum (St. Helens)
• Josephine Community Library Foundation ($424,603), acquisition of land for new Josephine County Library and Community Commons (Grants Pass)
• Native Arts and Culture Foundation ($3,000,000), creation of the Center for Native Arts and Cultures (Portland)
• High Desert Museum ($2,000,000), construction of a new wing of the High Desert Museum (Bend)
• Southern Oregon Historical Society ($500,000), creation of an event center and new Southern Oregon Historical Society Museum (Medford)
• PAM CUT // Center for an Untold Tomorrow ($250,000), creation of the Tomorrow Theater (Portland)
• Painted Sky Center for Arts and Culture ($500,000), acquisition of building for Painted Sky Center for Arts and Culture (Canyon City)
• Very Little Theatre ($350,000), removation and remodeling of the Very Little Theatre (Eugene)
• Rainier Oregon Historical Museum ($500,000), building construction for the Rainier Oregon Historical Museum
• Portland Institute for Contemporary Art ($150,000), capital repairs and upgrades to building
• Salem Parks Foundation ($150,000), Eco-Earth Globe restoration in Riverfront Park
• Portland Playhouse ($300,000), acquisition of Portland Playhouse building and property

TOTAL: $11.88 million

“One of many Oregon strengths is embodied in our artists and cultural institutions. We are proud of the long history of state support in stewarding Oregon’s cultural sector. These capital projects will positively affect local economies and the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals for years into the future,” said Isaac Marquez, City of Eugene cultural services director and chair of the CACO board’s capital construction committee.

“Arts and culture make up an important part of the fabric of our state,” said Representative Rob Nosse. “I’m thrilled to see the diversity of projects endorsed by CACO, as this slate brings Oregon’s treasures – new and old, urban and rural, small and large – to all of us who get to live here, those who pass through, and those who will learn about us from afar.  I’m happy to champion this well-curated collection.”