Eugene's
Cultural Plan
In September (2007) the City of Eugene will begin implementation of its recently completed Cultural Policy Review.
See this page for more details: City of Eugene Cultural Policy Review
Five of the 13 artists awarded $3000 Visual Artist* 2008 Fellowships by Oregon Arts Commission reside in the Eugene-area. Congratulations!
Kate Ali, Dexter, sculpture
Wendy Huhn, Dexter, fiber arts
Colin H. Ives, Eugene, media arts
Anya Kivarkis, Eugene, metals
Amanda Wojick, Eugene, sculpture
(*Note: In alternate years, performing and literary artists may apply.) Award and Artist details: www.oregonartscommission.org/public_news/pressrel_127_2007_12_27.php
View a combined slideshow of these Fellowship artists' work: http://oregonartsblog.typepad.com/photos/fyo8_fellowship/
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National Endowment for the Arts - 2008 Budget. (Thanks to NASAA for the details.)
The 2008 federal appropriations bill, signed late December, includes $144.7 million for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), a $20.2 million increase to the highest level of NEA funding since 1995, but still below the peak of $176 million in 1992. Special thanks to Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA), chair of the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, who gave top priority to federal arts funding.
National Endowment for the Arts programs funding for the 2008 fiscal year (in millions):
-Direct Grants $49.2, a $5.4 increase
-Challenge America Grants $9.3, $1.2 decrease
-American Masterpieces Grants $13.3, a $7.4 increase
-State Partnership Grants $39.4, a $5.5 increase
-Underserved Grants $8.5, a $2.2 increase
--National Endowment for the Humanities funding is $144.7 million, an increase of $3.75 million and equal the NEA's appropriation.
--Congress again this year rejected the President's request to eliminate the competitive Arts-in-Education grant programs of the U.S. Department of Education, with an increase of $2.23 million for a total of $37.53 million.
--Funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services at $31.272 million represents a cut of $556,000.
--The Educational and Cultural Exchange programs of the U.S. State Department received a $59 million increase for FY08.
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In 2007-2009, "The Oregon Legislature allocated increased resources for the Arts Commission, and these grants reflect that increased support. The groups reflect the strength and breadth of the arts in Oregon," said Cynthia Addams of Keizer, chair of the Arts Commission. "We are very pleased to be an advocate for so many arts activities that benefit Oregon communities."
The Commission's Operating Support Grants provide funds that support the work and outreach of Oregon's leading arts groups. The program recognizes artistic excellence as well as the role that arts organizations are taking in the broader social, educational and economic areas of community life. Grants for arts learning support the arts as a powerful link to educational achievement and overall learning, contributing to Oregon's development of a 21 st century workforce. Arts Services Grants provide operating funds for local and regional arts councils and other groups working to make the arts accessible in all parts of Oregon. www.oregonartscommission.org
Oregon Arts Commission announces 2008 deadline for grants. Guidelines and applications: http://www.oregonartscommission.org/grants/
• Career Opportunity Grants for Artists announced by Oregon Arts Commission. This new program assists marketing and/or further development the nature or quality of their artwork. Grant amounts range $300 to $1,500. For 2008, deadlines vary, next is August 13.
• Arts Build Communities Grants, due October 1, support both the arts in local communities and the involvement of the arts and artists in community development
• Artist Fellowships, $3000 each, postmark nlt October 15, will consider this year applications in Oregon artists working in Literature and Performing Arts.
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Oregon Cultural Trust -- It's time! First, donate to an arts/cultural non-profit by December 31, and then donate to the Trust online or by mail to receive your full tax credit. www.culturaltrust.org
The Oregon Cultural Trust Announced More Than $1.36 Million in Grants, a 20% increase.
For the year July 2007 – June 2008, the Trust distributed grants in each of its three grant programs:
Cultural Participation Grants to Counties and Tribes ($453,380). For Lane County this means $25,879 to the Lane County Cultural Coalition for grants in 2008.
Competitive Cultural Development grants of $453,380 to Oregon cultural non-profits.
For Lane County/Eugene this means:
·Downtown Initiative for the Visual Arts: DIVA, $3,000 to develop and market a new Open Studios Art Tour in Eugene during October 2008. The project includes business training for area artists to improve the presentation and marketing of their work.
·Eugene Ballet Company, $15,000 to support the purchase of a portable theater system allowing Eugene Ballet?s tours to reach more rural communities in Oregon and the West.
·Eugene Masonic Cemetery Association, $2,000 to produce interpretive panels for the 1859 cemetery, established in the same year Oregon gained its statehood. The panels will include a visitor?s guide with maps and history; a guide to native and heritage trees and plants; and a description of the cemetery?s many historic structures.
·Friends of Lane County Historical Society and Museum, $5,000 to digitize the society?s 14,000 historic photos, allowing greater public access to the collection.
·John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts, $15,000 to support the capital campaign to purchase the 1926-era First Baptist Church as the permanent home of The Shedd Institute, offering multi-disciplinary performing arts programs in downtown Eugene.
Cultural Partner grants of $453,380 to the Trust?s five statewide cultural partners. For the Oregon Arts Commission this means $120,889 in addition to its regular biennial budget.
Information: 503-986-0088 or www.culturaltrust.org
MORE: The Trust's competitive Cultural Development grants provide state recognition and support to significant cultural programs and projects, preserving and enhancing Oregon?s diverse arts, heritage and humanities programs.
The Trust?s revenues for fiscal year 2007 exceeded $3.5 million: $2.8 million in individual and corporate contributions (an increase of 14 percent over FY 2006); $293,564 in sales of Oregon?s cultural license plate (19.5 percent above FY 2006); and $334,808 in interest, which is a 69-percent increase over FY 2006?s $198,181.
On June 30, 2007, the close of fiscal year 2007, the permanent Cultural Trust Fund totaled $8,159,955.08, an increase of 38 percent over June 30, 2006. By law, the Trust may distribute up to 42 percent of these funds. Fifty-eight percent remains in the endowment to support cultural funding in perpetuity.