Projects addressing community need through the arts receive grants
By Paul Hall on Tuesday, February 15th, 2022 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
EASTERN OREGON – (Information provided by Oregon Arts Commission) Using the arts as a means to address community need is the focus of 55 projects awarded a total of $221,535 through the Oregon Arts Commission’s FY2022 Arts Build Communities grant program. The Arts Build Communities program targets broad geographic impact and arts access for underserved audiences in Oregon.
Funded projects include: the implementation of four 2022 arts and culture events in Cornelius and Hillsboro by Centro Cultural del Condado de Washington County; Lane Arts Council’s Fiesta Cultural, an ongoing program that celebrates, empowers and connects Latino/a/x cultural producers and artists across Lane County; and Ex-peer-ience, a three-week Outside the Frame filmmaking intensive for 12 homeless and marginalized youth in Portland.
“This program provides financial support to arts and other community-based organizations for projects that address a local community problem, issue or need through an arts-based solution,” said Arts Commission Vice Chair Harlen Springer, who led one of two review panels. “Local citizens employ creative thinking and collective response to identify a local need and provide an arts-based solution.”
The grants also spark and leverage many other investments and resources, serving as a catalyst for greater economic and civic impact, said Springer.
In recent years Arts Build Communities projects attracted more than $600,000 in additional investment, much of it representing salaries paid to artists and others as well as products and services purchased in the funded communities.
Arts Build Communities grants are made possible through a funding partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The recipients in our local region are:
Fishtrap Inc, Enterprise: $3,000
To support the 14th year of Fishtrap’s NEA Big Read. Requested funds will be used for presenter honorariums, purchasing books and supplies, and promotional efforts.
Grande Ronde Symphony Association, La Grande: $3,164
This grant is to support SOAR, String and Orchestral Arts Revitalization. SOAR is an after-school string instrument instruction program with the La Grande School District and the Symphony. The requested funds will be used to assist in supplementing four instructor consultants serving over 60 students, 3rd through 8th grades, and the Grande Ronde Student Symphony. The project timeframe is January through December 2022
Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, Joseph: $3,000
To support “Rez Ball and More,” an exhibit featuring Nez Perce Indian athletes and contests through art; and a three-on-three basketball weekend with high school boys and girls from Colville, Lapwai and Umatilla reservations and local Joseph, Enterprise and Wallowa schools. Some 50 students and coaches will play ball and socialize with students and coaches from other schools. Requested funds will be used to offset Tamástslikt expenses in copying material for exhibit; paying artists and writers to prepare materials for exhibit; curating the exhibit; travel and other expenses for athletes; and other costs associated with ball games and related activities.
Juniper Arts Council, John Day: $4,085
To support “Painted Sky Center for the Arts” World Tour Summer 2022, which includes arts-focused summer camps and free community events that celebrate different cultures from around the globe. Requested funds will be used to purchase art supplies, provide art instruction and other event-related costs.
Four Rivers Cultural Center, Ontario: $3,395To support Wonder Boxes, an original idea to inspire creativity and positive family engagement in the Center’s underserved community. Requested funds will be used to create 140 themed Wonder Boxes, filled with art projects, games, books, historical learning and treats to give sheltering families an opportunity to get creative and spend fun, quality time together.
