Did you know?

• The first professional motion picture with a plot filmed in Oregon was “The Fisherman’s Bride,” filmed in Astoria in 1909.
• “Animal House” was filmed at the University of Oregon, because the University of Oregon president felt regret over preventing “The Graduate” (1967) from being filmed there.
• Oregon has become a force in stop-motion animation over the past 40 years. From Will Vinton and his Dancing Raisins, to Laika (Coraline, ParaNorman, and more) and ShadowMachine (Academy Award winning Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio), Oregonians have been producing the best stop-motion animation on the planet.

The Oregon Film Museum in Astoria chronicles the vibrant history of film and television production in Oregon. With more than 500 major productions filmed in Oregon’s diverse landscapes, the state has become a canvas for storytellers to bring their visions to life. From iconic classics like “Stand By Me” to modern hits like “Portlandia” and “Grimm,” Oregon’s contributions to the world of cinema are undeniable.

Astoria and Clatsop County have hosted an impressive array of films, including “The Goonies,” “Kindergarten Cop,” and “Free Willy.” These productions have left an indelible mark on the local community and have become cherished cultural landmarks.

Currently housed in the historic Clatsop County Jail, the Oregon Film Museum offers visitors a unique opportunity to step into the world of filmmaking. The museum’s setting, which served as an actual working set for films like “The Goonies” and “Come See the Paradise,” provides a captivating backdrop for exploring the magic of cinema. Guests can even try their hand at filmmaking using the museum’s sets and green screens.

In 2022, the Oregon Film Museum saw record-breaking attendance, welcoming 45,501 visitors—an astounding 20% increase from the previous year. Visitors from all 50 states and over 20 nations flocked to the museum, underscoring its universal appeal. Additionally, the Clatsop County Historical Society, which oversees the museum, educated more than 85,000 visitors across its 4 museums, reflecting a 14% increase over 2021.

The demand for Oregon film history exceeds the museum’s capacity. To fully realize its educational mission and accommodate growing interest, the museum has acquired a new property, strategically located near the existing facility. They plan to construct a 13,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art museum, offering an immersive experience that delves deeper into Oregon’s cinematic legacy. They were hoping to receive $1 million from the Oregon Legislature as a CREF nominee.

Committed to nurturing the next generation of storytellers, the museum offers free admission to schoolchildren in Clatsop County, ensuring that youth can explore the world of filmmaking. Through hands-on experiences and interactions with industry professionals, the museum aims to inspire future filmmakers, writers, and artists. But they are bursting at the seams.

“We get every single fourth grader in Astoria through the museum, but we have to break those school groups into small groups because the building is too small,” says Mac Burns, executive director of the Clatsop County Historical Society. “That defeats a lot of the potential educational experiences in this facility. With our new building we look forward to having an open classroom space. We’ll invite artists in residence who have worked in the industry to spend a week on the coast and interact with our kids. It might be someone who does special effects makeup, a cinematographer, or a set designer.”

The new facility will not only celebrate the state’s cinematic heritage but also serve as a hub for diverse forms of media, including film, television, commercials, and potentially gaming. The museum aims to demystify the creative process and inspire a broader audience.

As the Oregon Film Museum embarks on this ambitious expansion, it seeks to open doors for future generations of filmmakers and storytellers. By showcasing the rich tapestry of Oregon’s film history and its broader contributions to media production, the museum continues to be a beacon of inspiration for artists, educators, and film enthusiasts worldwide. The new facility promises to amplify this mission, inviting visitors to embark on an immersive journey through the captivating world of storytelling.

The post Expanding the Oregon Film Museum: A Gateway to Oregon’s Film Legacy appeared first on Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon.

Randy Cohen, vice president of research for Americans for the Arts, recently shared the results of this study with the Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon board. You can view the presentation here. He will visit nine Oregon communities in early November to share the results and discuss the data (see itinerary in the Oregon Arts Commission press release).

A Beacon of Economic Prosperity:

The study, supported by the Oregon Arts Commission and Travel Oregon, encompassed data from 19 distinct regions and communities across Oregon. These findings underscore the profound influence that artists and cultural organizations exert on local economies, propelling job creation and business growth throughout the state. Sophorn Cheang, director of Business Oregon, remarked, “Prosperous local economies lead to a prosperous statewide economy, and this study shows how arts and culture can impact job creation and business growth throughout Oregon.”

National Perspective:

Nationally, the AEP6 study sheds light on the vast scope of America’s nonprofit arts and culture sector, revealing it as a $151.7 billion industry. This sector sustains 2.6 million jobs and generates an astounding $29.1 billion in government revenue. Oregon’s substantial contribution to this sector is a testament to the state’s thriving arts and culture community.

The Power of Attendance:

The study uncovered that 8.9 million attendees of arts and culture events in Oregon invested an average of $39 per event (beyond ticket price), amounting to a total expenditure of over $330 million. This expenditure encompasses various aspects including meals, parking, souvenirs, babysitting, and hotel stays. Impressively, nearly one million of these attendees were visitors from outside the state, affirming the draw of Oregon’s vibrant cultural offerings.

Social Impact:

For the first time, AEP6 ventured beyond economic data to assess the social impact of arts and culture on communities and residents. A staggering 89.3 percent of respondents said arts and culture inspire a sense of pride in their neighborhoods or communities. Additionally, 87.2 percent expressed they would feel a profound sense of loss if these cultural offerings were no longer available, underscoring the deep emotional connection forged through artistic experiences.

Regional Highlights:

The Portland metro area and the City of Eugene emerged as prominent contributors to the economic impact, with expenditures totaling $456.5 million and $123.8 million, respectively. The small coastal city of Florence surpassed expectations, with expenditures exceeding $7.2 million and individual event spending above the state average at $65.

Resounding Message:

Brian Rogers, Executive Director of the Oregon Arts Commission, emphasized, “AEP6 is evidence that the nonprofit arts and culture sector is a significant industry in the State of Oregon.” The data presents a resounding argument for the importance of continued support for the arts, not only for the enrichment of life but also for bolstering Oregon’s economic vitality and visibility.

Looking Forward:

The AEP6 study provides an illuminating look into the monumental impact of Oregon’s arts and culture sector. With an economic contribution of $829 million in FY2022, the arts community emerges not just as a cultural cornerstone but as a vital economic force, enriching lives and sustaining livelihoods across the state. It is clear that investing in the arts yields substantial returns, both economically and socially, making it a cornerstone of Oregon’s prosperity.

The post Unveiling the Economic Powerhouse: Oregon’s Arts and Culture Sector appeared first on Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon.

Advocacy Day 2023 is Wednesday, April 19, and we can’t wait to connect with you all. Here’s everything need to know.

• Zoom link
  Meeting ID: 820 9032 3185
  Passcode: 433885
• Our morning session will be fully virtual. This allows us to make our event accessible to CACO members around the entire state. The capitol renovation project is significantly limiting the number of people allowed in the building. We hope Zoom makes it easier for you to participate as an advocate with CACO.
• Schedule:
  9:00-11:00 a.m., Zoom only
  12:00-1:00 p.m., in-person celebration with music and speakers, Willson Park
  1:00-4:00 p.m., meeting with legislators on Zoom and in person
• NEW in-person meeting space at IKE BOX:If you’re not local to Salem and want to participate in the virtual morning session while also being at the capitol in person in the afternoon, join us at IKE BOX. Our previous communication mentioned meeting in the Health Services building, but that plan has changed. Instead we will have space in IKE BOX at 299 Cottage Street, a 6-minute walk to the capitol building. The Story Hall space has seating capacity for up to 40 and onsite wifi, although not very many electrical outlets. BRING YOUR HEADPHONES! Here is a map that details all the day’s activities for those of you who plan to be in Salem (disregard the info about the Human Services building, our previous meeting space).
• Advocacy Day packet: Contains details, resources, and links to more information about our legislative priorities. We’ll review many of these items during our virtual morning session. If you’re coming to Salem, you can grab copies of the talking points script and legislative priorities on the Art Bus, but you might want to bring your own copies or an iPad so you have these materials handy.
• Art Bus: You’ve seen the Oregon Coast Art Bus all over our promotional materials for this year’s event. You’ll hear more about the bus during our morning session and it will be onsite for the day in Willson Park, just west of the Capitol building. The Art Bus will be open immediately after our virtual morning session throughout the afternoon. The bus will have fun Advocacy Day buttons, hands-on activities, and projects as well as hard copies of information sheets about our 2023 legislative priorities. If you’re in Salem, be sure to stop by, make some art, and grab a button to wear for the day!

• Celebration Event: We will also be gathering in Willson Park during the noon hour for a little celebration event featuring performances from Tyrone Hendrix, PHAME Academy, the Portland Opera, and some very special legislative guests. You can grab lunch at a couple of food trucks in the park. Bring your own camping chair to relax in, as we know we’ll run out of places to sit…maybe also bring an umbrella, since it’s April in Oregon! We’ll gather everyone for a group photo at the end of the noon hour, and if you’re in Salem, we would love to have you join us!

• Questions: Call Cassie Greer at 574-229-5380 or Sue Hildick at 503-816-4701.

We can’t wait to see you (on Zoom or in person) on Wednesday!

Cassie Greer, Advocacy Day Chair, and Sue Hildick, Senior Advisor

The post Everything you need to know about Advocacy Day 2023! appeared first on Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon.

It’s been two years since we’ve gathered to collectively advocate for Oregon’s vibrant cultural community. We’ve missed the opportunity to check in, connect, and share stories with you all.

With a new legislature in session and new leadership in Salem, now is the time to unite our voices, align our priorities, and remind our elected officials that the pandemic-related hardships felt throughout our sector are not going away anytime soon. When it comes to politics, we believe we are most effective when we are unified. We are strongest when we work together. You are an important part of this work to ensure that arts and culture continue to thrive in Oregon.

Similar to our virtual Advocacy Day in 2021, we will be providing an opportunity for all members and advocates to gather, no matter where you are located across the state. We hope you are able to join us!

Save the date for Wednesday, April 19 (add to your calendar), when we will spend the morning together virtually. We’ll dig into our collective priorities, receive some fabulous advocacy training, hear from special guests, and refine our impact stories. In the afternoon, we ask that you set up a meeting with your district’s elected officials where you can share your story and put your brand-new advocacy skills into action.

If you’d like to register in advance, you can do so here. Stay tuned for more details coming your way.

And there’s more to prepare you!

We know you’re doing an incredible amount of work to keep your organizations afloat. Your time at a premium. It can be bewildering to navigate the internal workings of Salem.

If you’re excited to participate in Advocacy Day 2023 but have no idea where to start, we invite you to join us at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, March 3 for a quick “Advocacy 101.”

Register for Advocacy 101 here.

We’ll give you resources, tips, and support for getting on the calendar with your representatives in April to maximize our collective impact.

In the meantime, here’s a quick preview of our legislative session priorities.

My best,

J.S. May

he/his/him

Board of Directors, President

Executive Director, Artists Repertory Theatre

P.S. Become a member of the coalition or renew your gift today, and stay tuned for more Advocacy Day 2023 information in the coming weeks. 
Questions about Advocacy Day? Write to Cassie Greer at cassie@cassiegreer.com.

The post Get prepared for Advocacy Day 2023 with Advocacy 101! appeared first on Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon.