Getting started with arts & culture advocacy in Oregon When people in the arts hear “legislative advocacy,” it can sound intimidating like something meant for lawyers, lobbyists, or people who already know how Salem works. That’s not what advocacy actually looks like. At its core, advocacy is simply explaining why something matters: to your students, audience,
Advocate Archives - Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon
January 7, 2026
What flat federal funding really means for arts and humanities
Update to this article, 1/9/2026: Oregon Arts Watch published a follow-up article after interviewing Amy Lewin, director of the Oregon Arts Commission and Oregon Cultural Trust, and Ben Waterhouse, communications director of Oregon Humanities. Lewin said, “Overall, it’s reassuring. This would allow us to continue our plan of steady support for hundreds of arts organizations
From our friends at the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies: Congress has begun its FY2026 budget deliberations. They will set federal funding levels for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Because the White House “Skinny Budget” recommended elimination of the agency, this work has extra importance this summer. It will take a strong chorus of
June 4, 2025
Urge the reversal of NEA grant cancellations
Deadline: Thursday, June 5 In May the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) sent grant cancellation notices to dozens of Oregon institutions. These cancellations are a massive blow to many small arts institutions that had already made budget and hiring decisions based on promised federal support, particularly heading into the busy summer season. We are
Oregon’s arts and culture sector needs your help—right now. As we enter the final weeks of the legislative session, critical funding decisions will determine the future of our arts community. Without immediate action, we risk losing vital support for the arts, jobs, and the cultural vibrancy that make Oregon unique. What’s at Stake: We are