Landmark Investment in Arts And Culture Infrastructure

Arts and culture organizations - still reeling from the pandemic - will see a major infusion of funding over the next three years under a plan announced today by two of the largest arts grantors in Oregon. The total investment of $52M will provide flexible funding for arts and culture nonprofits across the entire state, including $20M from Oregon Community Foundation and $20M from the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation. This follows legislative approval of $11.8M in resilience and rebuilding funding earlier this month to be distributed among arts “anchor” organizations and smaller nonprofits throughout Oregon.

Exhibitions, performances and other live art gatherings have seen seismic shifts in attendance levels since the pandemic. Arts leaders testified in Salem earlier this year that diminished ticket sales puts at risk the significant economic impact of Oregon’s arts sector. For many of these nonprofits, the pandemic relief funding is running out and yet their attendance has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels.

While the legislature was considering arts funding the 2024 short session, OCF was engaging, advocating, and proposing partnerships across sectors to bring us to this moment. The 2024 short session ended March 9 with lawmakers settling on $11.8M to be divided evenly between large “anchor” arts and cultural institutions and smaller ones across the state.

Foundation program officers will advise potential grantees on details of the three-year investment. This commitment is intended to inspire additional contributions from supporters across the state.

OCF has committed $12M in immediate relief to seven “anchor” arts nonprofits. We have also committed an additional $8M as seed funding to raise more support for smaller and midsized cultural organizations from donors and foundation partners. We plan to direct funds to the community through several channels and will announce details of those grant opportunities as they are available.

Like any system, the nonprofits that provide arts and culture projects and programs do not operate in a vacuum. The nonprofit infrastructure that makes the work of artists possible is just as important as our roads and bridges and our schools and businesses. They are an integral part of our shared economy, our sense of livability and quite simply what makes Oregon, Oregon.

“Arts and culture inspire us and connect us to one another as Oregonians and provide opportunities for our youth and adults alike to explore their humanity. The arts economy is also a huge boost to restaurants, shops and small businesses that line every Main Street across our state,” said Carrie Hoops, Executive Director of the Miller Foundation. “In Oregon, a healthy network of arts organizations brings us together, and inspires the vibrancy and community that we all crave.”

Oregon Community Foundation’s commitment is possible thanks to a 2012 charitable gift from the estate of Fred and Suzanne Fields that has delivered millions of charitable dollars over many years to hundreds of diverse arts, artists and education efforts in Oregon. The Fred W. Fields Fund is an example of how wisely stewarded funds can create positive benefits for decades.

This is just the first step in investing in the long-term strength of Oregon’s arts infrastructure. Like roads and bridges, helping to make this sector robust requires a long-term commitment. At the same time, 3 years gives us time to evaluate and adjust as our nonprofit partners work on their own transition to a more sustainable future.