Four Eastern Oregon cultural nonprofits receive nearly $74,000 from the Oregon Cultural Trust
By Garrett Christensen on Tuesday, September 10th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
EASTERN OREGON – The Oregon Cultural trust recently announced that four Eastern Oregon cultural nonprofit organizations will receive a combined $73,901 in 2025 grant awards. This is part of a larger statewide grant funding effort including $3.85 million dollars being distributed between 148 different organizations, including county & tribal organizations, local nonprofits, and the Oregon Cultural Trust’s primary partners. The Oregon Cultural Trust themselves report that this marks the single highest amount ever awarded in a fiscal year, thanks to increased donations and funds allocated through House Bill 3532.
The Eastern Oregon Grants are as follows:
Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, Joseph: $34,713
To support Phase II of the Building Our Future capital campaign to expand the building and increase ADA access to the second-floor library and programs. The $1.6 million project will support the Center’s mission to advance access to the arts, heritage and the humanities by enabling JCAC to serve a greater number of residents and visitors, provide a wider variety of programs and further promote awareness and understanding of the legacy and culture of the Nez Perce.
Arts Council of Pendleton, Pendleton: $8,400
To support increased access to arts education and experiences for rural youth in Eastern Oregon through a robust menu of free arts education and experiences at Pendleton Center for the Arts.
Oregon East Symphony, Pendleton: $7,060
To support the Oregon premiere of Yakama bassoonist Dr. Jaqueline Wilson’s performance of Navajo composer Connor Chee’s Bassoon Concerto as part of the Oregon East Symphony’s Spring 2025 concert. Dr. Wilson’s appearance will include educational visits to students of Nixya’awii Community School and Pendleton High School
Drexel H. Foundation, Vale: $23,728
To support completion of ADA restrooms in the 1895 Grand Opera House, a National Registry property, so it can be used as a community art center and venue for Drexel’s programs and events, in addition to making its free amenities (a bike repair station, electrical vehicle charging station, heritage displays, maps for a guided tour of Vale and the outdoor art gallery) available to the public. Vale residents helped create the project to revitalize a rural Oregon Main Street due to a shared vision of economic vitality and pride in its heritage.
