Photo: Dr. Dana Whitelaw shown with Senator Jeff Merkley and museum cofounder Cameron Kerr
Dr. Dana Whitelaw, new president of the Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon board, spoke at the Oregon Arts & Culture kickoff event on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Whitelaw is executive director of the High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon. Under her leadership, the High Desert Museum was named a Smithsonian Affiliate, has experienced record attendance, and earned the prestigious 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Born and raised in Oregon, Dana received her doctorate in biological anthropology from the University of Colorado Boulder. In addition to the CACO board, she serves on the boards of the Western Museums Association, Visit Central Oregon, and Art in Public Places.
Here are her (slightly condensed) remarks at the Elsinore Theatre:
I am so pleased to be here tonight — in this magnificent theater — with all of you. On behalf of CACO – welcome!
First, I’d like to express gratitude to Representative Nosse, Senator Anderson, and the rest of the caucus. Thank you for supporting the work of those bringing inspiration, creativity, education, insight, and joy to Oregonians, every day. Your enthusiasm for our work puts wind in our sails.
Arts and culture is a unifier – it brings us together to remind us of our humanity and opens new doors to conversation and connection. It also drives innovation and economic prosperity. Broad support for the arts is evident this evening in this formidable group of advocates from across the state.
A little bit about the the Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon, a nonpartisan organization, which has over 300 members providing arts and culture opportunities in communities in every corner of Oregon! Advocates for the arts include Tribal communities, rural organizations, museums and cultural centers, and urban cultural anchors. One of our greatest strengths is that champions for the arts sit on both sides of the political aisle.
And now, in this legislative session, we have an assignment:
Let’s raise the level of giving from the arts commission from $4 million to $10 million to provide more grant funding across the state. Let’s make sure Oregon supports capital projects large and small, from Coos Bay to this Elsinore Theatre in Salem. Organizations like the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the Oregon Symphony need help to sustain their vitality. Increasing funding helps us bring Oregon closer to our peers in supporting arts and culture. Finally, we’re advocating for increased incentives to preserve, protect, and resuse historic properties. We have more to do to keep the creative sector alive and thriving.
An investment in Oregon’s arts and creativity is an investment in every Oregonian. There’s the quantitative piece and the qualitative part of our story. Our quality of life improves dramatically with the existence of a dynamic and vibrant cultural sector. Thank you again for gathering this evening, for celebrating and supporting the arts sector, and for ensuring a vibrant future for the arts — and for all Oregonians.