Siri Grubb (she/her), Senior Director of Executive Operations, Oregon Symphony: Siri joined the Oregon Symphony in 2021 as executive assistant to the CEO and music director and liaison to the Board of Directors. In that role, she developed a broad understanding of the symphony’s business and the key concerns facing arts groups in Oregon. Over five years, she has expanded the scope of her position to provide increased high-level strategic support. As senior director of executive operations, she represents the office of the CEO, shepherds institutional initiatives, and helps to drive success across the organization. Siri earned a master’s in communication at PSU, where she focused on political and strategic communication. Why she wanted to join the CACO board: “I believe that art and culture are as important for quality of life as economic opportunity, and I’m honored to join the CACO board. I’m grateful for this opportunity to support the health and vitality of the sector so that Oregon remains a place where everyone can thrive.”

Beth Lewis (she/her), Director of Development, Portland Opera: Beth joined the opera in June 2025 and oversees fundraising, including annual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, grants, and special events. As a lifelong actor, Beth has extensive experience in classical theater, improv, and music across NYC, LA, and regional theaters. Before joining Portland Opera, she directed development and donor engagement at Centro Cultural de Washington County, Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, and Portland Center Stage at The Armory. She was also managing director for Bag&Baggage Productions and Curious Comedy Theater. She has a B.A. in theatre from Connecticut College and a Certificate in Acting from Michael Howard Studios. She is also board president of the Aloha Community Library and the Arts & Communication Magnet Academy parent-teacher organization in Beaverton. Why she wanted to join the CACO board: “I’m excited to join the board of the Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon to help champion policies that sustain a vibrant arts ecosystem across the state and ensure organizations like Portland Opera can continue serving our communities.”

Brian Robrecht, Box Office and Front of House Manager, Newport Performing Arts: Brian has been stage managing for 20 years. He has worked on everything from a one-person show in a small space to large-scale musicals with an orchestra in larger venues.

Javier Dubon, Interim Executive Director and Director of Sales and Marketing, Oregon Shakespeare Festival (he/him): Named interim executive director in June 2025, Javier is helping lead OSF through its continued recovery and growth after the COVID-19 pandemic. Javier has a passion for driving revenue, program impact, and brand reach at nonprofit arts organizations. He has spent over a decade at presenting and producing organizations, marketing nearly every performing arts genre. Before joining OSF in 2022, he directed and managed marketing for theatres in Chicago and Texas. He serves on the adjunct faculty at DePaul University in Chicago, where he earned an MFA in arts leadership, in addition to a bachelor’s of music from The University of Texas at Austin. Why he wanted to join the CACO board: “I look forward to contributing to the cultural vibrancy and support of Oregon through my service on the CACO board.”

The post Welcome, new board members in 2026! appeared first on Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon.

Building on the original 2014 Big Think, The Big Re/Think took place between September and December 2025 and included interviews with policymakers and sector leaders, a statewide survey, a virtual convening, and six in-person convenings across Oregon. Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed their thoughtful insights.

The process highlighted several key themes, including the need for a clearer and more unified story about the value of arts, culture, heritage, and humanities in Oregon, as well as the importance of identifying more sustainable funding mechanisms for the sector.

The CACO and CACF boards will be looking at these findings over the coming months as we begin shaping advocacy priorities for the years ahead.

If you’d like to dive deeper, you can also read the full report: Big Re/Think Final Report.

Thank you again to everyone who helped make this process possible.

The post The Big Re/Think findings are in! appeared first on Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon.

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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 voices to protect the NEA and sustain the 40% of grant funds that go to states.

The post Contact Senator Jeff Merkley today to advocate for the NEA appeared first on Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon.

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 asking members of congress to sign on to a letter to President Trump urging him to restore these cancelled grants.  As of this writing, only Rep. Suzanne Bonamici has signed the letter but we are urging full participation from Oregon representatives. We’ve provided a letter template you can send to the staff member in charge of arts and culture issues for our congressional delegations. Please email these staff members directly. 

The post Urge the reversal of NEA grant cancellations appeared first on Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon.

What’s at Stake:

We are urging lawmakers to champion three key funding priorities:

• Oregon Arts Commission: $10 million to elevate Oregon’s per capita arts investment and support arts organizations statewide. (HB 3189)
• CREF Slate Funding: Full funding for 13 shovel-ready capital projects across Oregon to create jobs and strengthen arts infrastructure. (HB 3191)
• Support for Large Arts Organizations: $5.5 million in one-time funding to sustain Oregon’s flagship institutions and match private donations. (HB 3189)

These investments are more than just numbers—they represent jobs, economic recovery, education, and the soul of our communities.

What You Can Do:

Contact your legislators today—whether or not they represent your district. The time is now to push them to act on behalf of Oregon’s arts and culture sector. Below is a draft letter you can send to any legislator or member of the Oregon Arts & Culture Caucus.

Sample Letter:

Dear [Legislator’s Name],

As the legislative session wraps up, I urge you to support critical arts funding:

$10 million for the Oregon Arts Commission (HB 3189) to support arts organizations statewide.

Full funding for CREF (HB 3191) to create jobs and improve arts & culture infrastructure.

$5.5 million for large arts & culture organizations (HB 3189) to sustain flagship institutions.

These investments are essential to Oregon’s economy, culture, and community well-being. Please advocate for these priorities before the session ends.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Organization]

Why Now?

The clock is ticking—these funding decisions will shape Oregon for years to come. Contact your legislators now and urge them to act before the session ends. Your voice makes a difference.

Thank you for standing up for Oregon’s arts and culture sector!

The post Urgent Call to Action: Advocate for the Arts in Oregon appeared first on Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon.

• HB 3189: Improving access to state funding for arts & culture providers ($10 million) (more info)
• HB 3191: Providing capital to 14 arts & culture capital projects around the state ($9.325M) (more info)
• Supporting one-time funding for large arts organizations to match private philanthropic commitments ($5.5M) 
• HB 3190: Encouraging investment in preservation and reuse of historic properties (more info)

The post CACO priorities for 2025 appeared first on Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon.

Press Release
For Immediate Release 
Contact: Sue Hildick, (503) 816-4710, sue@oregonculture.org

The Cultural Advocacy Coalition announces that Oregon policymakers approved $50 million in funds to support cultural and community venues and nonprofits, plus $9.1 million in capital construction projects that further Oregon’s cultural growth.

The Oregon legislature is poised to approve a substantial package of financial support for arts and culture in its closing days—building on support previously provided in federal recov­­­ery funds. In the coming days, the Coalition will be working to learn how funds will be distributed and will work with its members to answer questions. 

“We are grateful to our policymakers for supporting the recovery of this important sector and helping bring creative expression to every corner of Oregon,” said Sue Hildick, Coalition Senior Advisor. “Our board of directors have worked hard to ensure policymakers see Oregon’s art and cultural organizations as the 2^nd responders in the pandemic, socially and economically.”  

Highlights from the funding approvals this session, include: 

— $50 million in funds for music, cultural, and community venues and organizations that were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds were allocated to Business Oregon Department to distribute.

— $10 million in Main Street grants 

— $9.5 million in capital construction grants to the following projects/organizations endorsed by the Cultural Advocacy Coalition:

Read more about these capital projects on our website. 

Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center (MHIC), Preservation of Maxville Townsite
Artists Repertory Theatre (ART), ARTsHub
Josephy Center for Arts and Culture (JCAC), Facility Expansion and Renovation
Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education (OJMCHE), Expansion into the Charles Hartman Gallery
Eastern Oregon Regional Theatre (EORT), Baker Orpheum Theatre Renovation
Chehalem Cultural Center (CCC), Performing Arts Wing
Siletz Tribal Arts & Heritage Society (STAHS), Cultural Heritage Center
Shedd Institute for the Arts, North Entrance Remodel
Little Theatre on the Bay LTOB), Liberty Theatre Expansion/Enhancement
Columbia River Maritime Museum (CRMM), Preservation of the Lightship Columbia
Portland Art Museum (PAM), Mark Rothko Pavilion

— An additional $900,000 for Lincoln City Cultural Center Plaza and $1.5 million in funds for the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts (restoration of 2019 funding loss) 

Thank you for supporting this monumental effort this year! 

Please remember that the Coalition’s advocacy work is funded by you, our supporters and members. Please consider donating today or renewing your membership so we may continue advocating for Oregon’s arts and culture. 

Thank you,

Sue Hildick 
Senior Advisor 
Cultural Advocacy Coalition 
 ____________________________________________________________

About the Cultural Advocacy Coalition

The Cultural Advocacy Coalition (CAC or the Coalition) is a 501(c)4 non-partisan advocacy group formed to lobby policymakers in Salem to ensure that all Oregonians have the opportunity to access arts and culture in their communities. The mission is to increase ongoing public investment in arts, heritage and the humanities. Volunteers serve on the Board of Directors and include representatives from a broad number of interests to best represent the diverse mix of Oregon’s cultural community. Learn more at OregonCulture.org

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