Short session update: cultural funding protected

We’re happy to share some good news from Salem as the short session wraps up!
The final budget documents have posted, and the legislature did not make cuts to the Cultural Resources Economic Fund (CREF) projects, Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Portland Center Stage, or the Oregon Arts Commission. Carry-overs for earlier CREF projects (previously approved funds that have not yet been spent and reimbursed) were also protected, with only minor adjustments reflecting project updates.

In some additional good news, donations to the Oregon Cultural Trust increased in 2025. The legislature approved additional spending authority for the Oregon Cultural Trust, a rare increase during a session largely focused on budget constraints.

This sector also had a notable policy win related to the arts and live events. The legislature passed a bill aimed at stopping speculative ticket sales, which occur when resellers list tickets they do not actually possess and attempt to buy them later at a lower price. The measure is intended to protect consumers and prevent deceptive practices that can leave fans arriving at venues with invalid tickets.

Thank you all for your continued advocacy and engagement throughout the session. Your outreach, relationships with legislators, and ongoing support for Oregon’s cultural sector make a real difference in Salem. The cultural community’s strong, unified voice remains one of our most important tools for protecting and advancing these programs.