The Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon isn’t just about fine arts, music, and theatre…we also lobby for support of historic preservation and culture. In fact, most of this year’s CREF projects recommended for capital funding involve historic preservation:

• B17 Alliance Foundation, Salem-$350,000 (hangar purchase for iconic B-17G)
• Columbia River Maritime Museum, Astoria-$700,000 (Mariners Hall project)
• Coos Art Museum, Coos Bay-$325,000 (restore and revamp only art museum on the coast)
• High Desert Museum, Bend-$2 million (addition and renovation)
• Historic Jacksonville, Jacksonville-$150,000 (“Museum Without Walls” project)
• Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center, Joseph-$300,000 (development of site as educational resource)
• Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum, Government Camp-$450,000 (building expansion)
• Museum at Warm Springs, Warm Springs-$1.5M (renewal and exhibit updates)
• Salem Art Association, Salem-$175,000 (re-imagining Bush House Museum)
• The Historic Elsinore Theatre, Salem- $350,000 (renovation of theatre/new signage)
• World Forestry Center, Portland-$1 million (campus transformation/Experience Center project)

This new plan isn’t just about saving old buildings—it’s about uniting Oregonians in an effort to safeguard traditions, collections, and places that make the state unique. The plan outlines four key issues that will shape the future of Oregon’s heritage preservation:

1. Building the Heritage Community – Empowering the folks who keep history alive by connecting them to the growing, diverse communities that make up the state.
2. Preservation Planning – Saving historic places by ensuring they’re identified, protected, and well funded for years to come.
3. Government Support – Calling for more efficient, transparent processes from federal, state, and local governments and better administration of laws that protect Oregon’s history.
4. Tech to the Rescue – Developing statewide tech tools to digitize historical documents and manage preservation efforts online.

The plan is designed to make Oregon’s preservation efforts more inclusive, accessible, and far reaching. The “heritage community”—a team of governments, museums, advocacy groups, and professionals—will spearhead the movement, ensuring that everyone from Tribes to real estate professionals plays a part in preserving Oregon’s legacy.

If you’re interested in learning more, check out oregonheritage.org, where the plan is available in both English and Spanish. Printed copies can also be requested from Oregon.heritage@oprd.oregon.gov or calling 503-986-0690.

Oregon’s past isn’t just meant to be admired—it’s meant to be protected, shared, and celebrated. Here’s to preserving history, one landmark at a time!

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We are confident these projects are ready for state investment, meaning they have solid progress in their plans, have raised private funds, and are viable for many years:

• B17 Alliance Foundation, Salem-$350,000 (hangar purchase for iconic B-17G)
• Columbia River Maritime Museum, Astoria-$700,000 (Mariners Hall project)
• Coos Art Museum, Coos Bay-$325,000 (restore and revamp only art museum on the coast)
• Eastern Oregon Regional Theatre, Baker City-$600,000 (Baker Orpheum Theatre renovation)
• High Desert Museum, Bend-$2 million (addition and renovation)
• Historic Jacksonville, Jacksonville-$150,000 (“Museum Without Walls” project)
• Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center, Joseph-$300,000 (development of site as educational resource)
• Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum, Government Camp-$450,000 (building expansion)
• Museum at Warm Springs, Warm Springs-$1.5M (renewal and exhibit updates)
• Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland-$375,000 (Black Swan Theatre renovation)
• Salem Art Association, Salem-$175,000 (re-imagining Bush House Museum)
• The Historic Elsinore Theatre, Salem- $350,000 (renovation of theatre/new signage)
• World Forestry Center, Portland-$1 million (campus transformation/Experience Center project)

View photos and details.

“It was an honor to work with nine arts leaders around the state to recommend 14 shovel-ready cultural capital projects to the Oregon Legislature,” said Ginger Savage, Chair of CREF Committee and Executive Director, Crossroads Carnegie Art Center. “From preserving a historic airplane and revamping the only art museum on the Oregon Coast to restoring theatres, sites, and entertainment spaces, these projects will revitalize arts and culture across the state.”

“I’m always excited to support the geographically diverse capital projects recommended by CACO,” said Oregon Representative Rob Nosse. “They highlight the best of Oregon, highlighting our diverse history, vibrant arts scene, and thrilling cultural sector. I’m happy to champion this well-curated collection.”

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Congratulations to our governor-elect, Tina Kotek. We enjoyed our session with her in October. You can watch the recording here.

We are excited about the coming months and our opportunity to reposition the cultural sector as a priority of our governor-elect and new legislators.

Here is our CACO 2023 policy agenda:

• $50 million in additional recovery funding for arts, culture, heritage, and humanities, distributed similarly to the CARES allocation of last cycle. We had advocated for this in 2022 and were not successful, largely because previous ARPA funds had not yet been distributed to the field.Some of our major venues are seeing ticket sales at 18% of what they were before the pandemic. The need is great. Oregon has more in its general fund than it has in awhile, so we will push this as our top priority.
• $11.9 million in Cultural Resource Economic Funds for 16 projects across the state, ranging from $150,000 to $3 million. Large and small, urban and rural, for a variety of art forms, these funds will complete capital projects preserving cultural offerings across Oregon.
• $200 million to the Oregon Cultural Trust, spinning off $10-20 million a year for operations grants to the 1,400 Oregon nonprofits eligible for funding from the trust. We are asking lawmakers to make good on the original $200 million commitment they made to fund the Oregon Cultural Trust by asking for revenue from lottery bonds.We will work with county and tribal coalitions to distribute these funds, which will go into an account separate from current grant programs. This is our long-term vision for supporting the sector and it will move Oregon into the top rankings for state funding.
• $10 million increase to grow grant funding at the Oregon Arts Commission.
• Replacing Oregon Cultural Trust administrative cap with percentage of earnings.

Through our advocacy, we have helped direct over $100 million in federal recovery funding to our sector by the state legislature.

We have funded capital projects, increased dollars generated from the arts and culture license plate, renewed the Oregon Cultural Trust Tax Credit, and helped build our sector in every community.

Congratulations to our newly elected leaders. We look forward to working with them on these important priorities!

The Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon board

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The CACO board of directors received over 35 applications for 2023-25 arts & culture funding for capital projects across the state. Consulting with the Oregon Arts Commission and Oregon Cultural Trust, the board identified the following projects because of their geographic and cultural diversity, economic impact, and expanded access to the arts.  We are confident that state funds will support well-developed and viable projects on the endorsed slate.

The CACO board recommends the following 16 capital construction projects for CREF investment by the Oregon State Legislature:

• Black United Fund ($900,000), building the United Futures Complex (statewide)
• Clatsop County Historical Society ($1,000,000), expanding the Oregon Film Museum (Astoria)
• Friends of the Oregon Caves & Chateau ($455,690), restoring the Oregon Caves Chateau (Cave Junction)
• Literary Arts ($1,000,000), building new community space/headquarters (Portland)
• Columbia County Museum Association ($400,000), relocation and improved accessibility of the Columbia County Museum (St. Helens)
• Josephine Community Library Foundation ($424,603), acquisition of land for new Josephine County Library and Community Commons (Grants Pass)
• Native Arts and Culture Foundation ($3,000,000), creation of the Center for Native Arts and Cultures (Portland)
• High Desert Museum ($2,000,000), construction of a new wing of the High Desert Museum (Bend)
• Southern Oregon Historical Society ($500,000), creation of an event center and new Southern Oregon Historical Society Museum (Medford)
• PAM CUT // Center for an Untold Tomorrow ($250,000), creation of the Tomorrow Theater (Portland)
• Painted Sky Center for Arts and Culture ($500,000), acquisition of building for Painted Sky Center for Arts and Culture (Canyon City)
• Very Little Theatre ($350,000), removation and remodeling of the Very Little Theatre (Eugene)
• Rainier Oregon Historical Museum ($500,000), building construction for the Rainier Oregon Historical Museum
• Portland Institute for Contemporary Art ($150,000), capital repairs and upgrades to building
• Salem Parks Foundation ($150,000), Eco-Earth Globe restoration in Riverfront Park
• Portland Playhouse ($300,000), acquisition of Portland Playhouse building and property

TOTAL: $11.88 million

“One of many Oregon strengths is embodied in our artists and cultural institutions. We are proud of the long history of state support in stewarding Oregon’s cultural sector. These capital projects will positively affect local economies and the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals for years into the future,” said Isaac Marquez, City of Eugene cultural services director and chair of the CACO board’s capital construction committee.

“Arts and culture make up an important part of the fabric of our state,” said Representative Rob Nosse. “I’m thrilled to see the diversity of projects endorsed by CACO, as this slate brings Oregon’s treasures – new and old, urban and rural, small and large – to all of us who get to live here, those who pass through, and those who will learn about us from afar.  I’m happy to champion this well-curated collection.”

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A conversation with our new board member: arts advocate, historian, and gallerist Jenny Green.

Tell us about your involvement in the arts.

I’ve been immersed in arts and education for the past 30 years. I’ve worked for museums, auction houses, and art galleries and taught art history at Central Oregon Community College.

I’ve opened two art galleries: the Jenny Green Gallery, an “occasional gallery” that exhibited in pop-up spaces and art fairs in Bend; Palm Springs; New York; Miami; and Venice, Italy; and At Liberty Gallery (now the Scalehouse Gallery), which I opened with friends.

In addition to joining the board of the Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon (CACO), I chair the Oregon Arts Commission and serve on the Scalehouse Collaborative for the Arts board. I believe people’s lives are better when they can access arts and culture.

What led you into the arts?

I am not an artist, but I stand in awe of the power and gift artists have. Even as a child I was always drawn to the arts, intrigued with the stories art can express. I’m happiest when surrounded by arts and culture.

Tell us about what your work in central Oregon.

I’ve served on the boards of Scalehouse, World Muse, Bend Cultural Tourism Fund, Ellipse Theatre Community, Cascades Academy of Central Oregon, and the Arts & Culture Alliance of Central Oregon. I have also served in an advisory role to the High Desert Museum.

Why did you decide to join the CACO board?

I believe in CACO’s mission to increase ongoing public investment in arts, heritage, and the humanities. I firmly believe that arts and culture make us stronger – as individuals, families, businesses, communities, and a state.

Arts and culture are the foundation of innovation, prosperity, and vibrant people and places. We need robust funding for arts & culture, as they benefit Oregonians across the state.

Tell us about your work as commissioner of the Oregon Arts Commission.

I am honored to play a role in supporting artists and arts organizations across the state. The arts connect and uplift people, foster understanding and acceptance among cultures, draw attention to society’s ills, and provide a roadmap to a better future. The only downside is having to turn away deserving grant applicants because of lack of funds. Increasing funding for arts is one of CACO’s goals, and this is where my work with the two organizations converges.

What do you love most about your job?

I love working with and supporting artists and arts organizations. Most artistic creations have a vibrant pulse at their core, and life is more exciting when I am closer to that pulse.

How can Oregon arts & culture be more inclusive?

The answer to this question lies in connection and hard work. We need to make better connections across Oregon’s diverse population to celebrate and support the arts and culture of all Oregonians.

For too long we have celebrated and supported only a fraction of Oregon’s arts and culture. Systemic racism, inequities, and barriers have been embedded into how we define arts and culture, regulating who has access and which arts and culture have been valued.

This needs to change. All arts and culture organizations need to start or improve diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility to ensure that all voices are being represented and supported.

At the state level, public servants need to take seriously our responsibility to provide equitable access to arts & culture funding, programs, and services across the state.

Although the Oregon Arts Commission and CACO focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, we have more to do to remove barriers. Making arts and culture more inclusive will strengthen our great state and help build a vibrant, innovative, and prosperous foundation for all of Oregon.

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Simply said, that’s what we do at the Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon (CACO). We get money for arts, culture, history, heritage, and humanities organizations in Oregon by:

• Cultivating relationships with elected officials, governments, and business to get money flowing to creative organizations and individuals like you
• Working with Business Oregon, the Oregon Cultural Trust, the Oregon Arts Commission, and others to get committed COVID recovery funds flowing directly to you
• Amplifying your work and publicizing creativity around the state
• Advocating for equal access to funding and exposure, no matter where you are in Oregon
• Creating and promoting grants for you to produce innovative, world-class programming
• Funding your capital projects

As organizations still struggle to recover from the pandemic, we know funding is still crucial to continue your work. As a unified, diverse, statewide coalition we can have incredible impact when we work together. Here’s how we help:

• During the height of the pandemic, Oregon arts & culture organizations received $50 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. At the time this was the largest amount any state allocated to the creative sector from federal relief dollars, thanks to our advocacy and lobbying!
• Since 2013, we have also advocated for over $30 million to support 36 capital projects of cultural institutions. Organizations like yours are tapping into state funds to design, build, and rebuild venues, interpretive centers, and museums.
• And another $35 million in federal relief funds are being distributed to the creative sector this year via Business Oregon.

As we enter our third year of the pandemic, we know that true recovery depends on arts, culture, heritage, and humanities to deliver hope and inspiration to rise as a people.

If you’re not already a member, will you join us?

The post Why support the Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon? appeared first on Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon.

Artistic Director Nataki Garret testified before the United States House Committee on Small Business last week. You can view “The Power, Peril, and Promise of the Creative Economy” panel on YouTube. She shared that Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) had to cancel 800+ shows and lay off 90 percent of its staff.

Nataki then published an op-ed in The Hill, highlighting the points she made to the committee:

“I’m often haunted by the choices I had to make to keep OSF afloat, but it’s even more difficult for the culturally specific and smaller venue or community-based arts organizations and art workers…How can we continue viewing an industry that makes up more of our GDP than agriculture and mining combined as a luxury or the purview of the elite? How can we look millions of arts and culture workers in this country in the eye and not take the simple, common-sense steps to simultaneously make their lives and our economy more secure and robust?”

As we know, there is no recovery without creativity. Supporting and funding our country’s arts & culture powerhouse is critical to rebuild and revitalize our communities. Empowering the creative workforce can heal our country in the wake of the pandemic.

We have an unprecedented number of bills in the U.S. Congress to fund the creative economy and boost its workforce. If all passed, these seven bills would pour billions of dollars into arts & culture organizations and businesses. You can help get them passed.

ACTION ALERT!

• The Creative Economy Revitalization Act (HB 5019) has been introduced in the House and will soon be introduced in the Senate.This bill takes many of the creative workforce proposals and turns them into proposed legislation to support creative workers. Click here to send an Action Alert to your representatives telling them to co-sponsor and vote for the Creative Economy Revitalization Act.
• Click here to learn more about the Creative Economy Revitalization Act and how you can take action to help turn the bill into law.
• Click here to access toolkits and resources to take action on social media, letters to the editor, and other ways.

Let’s follow Nataki’s lead and let our voices be heard!

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