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 Tech to the Rescue – Developing statewide tech tools to digitize historical documents and manage preservation efforts online.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.”

The post CACO endorses 13 new capital projects for funding appeared first on Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon.

• Extend the Cultural Trust Tax Credit for 6 more years (HB 2164)
• Extend special tax assessments for historic preservation properties for 2 more years (HB 2164)
• Fund Capital Investment Projects (HB 5030 & HB 5050)- Total of $5,125,000:
  • Lincoln City Cultural Center – $1.5M for an exterior plaza
  • Beaverton Arts Foundation – $1.5M for the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts
  • Liberty Theatre– $1M for stage house and facilities improvements
  • Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center – $500,000 for preservation and renovations
  • Cottage Theatre – $375,000 for theatre expansion
  • High Desert Museum – $250,000 for exhibit and gallery
• 2019-2021 Budgets for the Cultural Trust and the Oregon Arts Commission have been funded at the Governor’s recommended levels (SB 5524)
• Renew the provision to spend cultural trust license plate monies on the marketing and promotion of the Trust (HB 2377) 

Also in support of the cultural sector, the legislature provided funding for Oregon Public Broadcasting, and the Oregon Historical Society, long-standing members of the Cultural Advocacy Coalition.
Nearly all of our legislative priorities were adopted. We will be back in the 2020 session with a request to increase the amount of the Cultural Trust license plate by at least $5 a plate. We will continue to work with the Governor and the boards of the Oregon Cultural Trust and the Oregon Arts Commission on two concerning issues: 1) Increasing administrative costs, and, 2) Decreasing contributions to the Trust.
With many thanks and forward momentum!
Thank you.

Dr. Nancy Golden
Board of Directors President
Cultural Advocacy Coalition
P.S. If you haven’t yet joined our Coalition, we’d love to have you. Join us today by making a gift on our website. 

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