Founded by Phil Donovan in 1999, Northwest Public Affairs is highly regarded for their honesty, reliability, efficiency, and winning record. They have built strong relationships with Democrats, Republicans, the Governor’s office, agency directors, and their fellow lobbyists.

Ryan has known Phil since they were teenagers. In fact, Phil’s first political foray was managing Ryan’s campaign for student body president at Corvallis High School in 1989. (Yes, he won.)

Ryan spent 15 years in music, including leading an indie band in Austin, Texas, and more recently collaborating on dance projects with his wife, a modern dancer and founder of Pro Lab Dance. Now, Ryan is thrilled to bring that artistic passion to his work for CACO, advocating for increased arts funding and expanded policy support.

Ryan is recognized by legislators and clients alike for his dedication, collaborative approach, and skill in delivering value-driven communication. He actively seeks public opinion and academic research, engages with individuals directly affected by policy decisions, and unites diverse coalitions.

As we look toward a challenging budget cycle, Ryan is determined to ensure the arts have a strong voice in Oregon’s legislature. His primary goals include lobbying to increase grant funding for the Oregon Arts Commission and securing Cultural Resources Economic Funds for capital projects across the state.

Please join us in welcoming Ryan as he champions Oregon’s vibrant arts and culture community!

The post Championing the arts: Ryan Fisher joins us as our new advocate appeared first on Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon.

It is devastating to learn of death threats for any Oregon artist. This situation calls on us and our new governor to create a safe and protective environment for all Oregonians to experience arts and culture.

As one of our long-time members, OSF is the largest theatre in Oregon and one of the most prominent regional theatres in the country. Nataki capably steered OSF through the pandemic, surviving under unprecedented financial pressures. Emerging from lockdown, OSF presented a vibrant first season, presenting Shakespeare with diverse casts and new plays by diverse contemporary writers. Many OSF theatergoers are thrilled with OSF’s evolution. Nataki is a leading advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in theatre, and the first Black woman to direct OSF. Now she must travel with a security team in public.

Nataki’s vision, creativity, and courage in transforming OSF into a fully diverse, contemporary performing arts program is breathtaking. She encourages young, diverse playwrights to pitch ground-breaking, one-of-a-kind new plays directly to OSF. Oregon desperately needs creative leaders like Nataki Garrett.

We are grateful for the world-class talent we are fortunate to have in Ashland.  We should be able to guarantee an environment where OSF can support its artists and help all its audiences thrive with the healing impact of the arts and the economic impact they generate.

We urge everyone to support Nataki Garrett and OSF by buying tickets and standing up publicly against hate.

J.S. May
President, Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon

The post Statement in Support of Nataki Garrett and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival appeared first on Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon.