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ADVOCACY DAY

April 15, 2025

Salem, OR

“This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal.”

- Toni Morrison

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2025 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES:

HB 3189

Improve Access to State Funding for Arts/Culture Providers:

Increase the grants budget of the Oregon Arts Commission to $10 million, largely benefitting the small to mid-size providers across the state.

more than doubles the current grant budget
largest grant possible per applicant is $25,000

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AND

Support One-Time Funding for Large Arts Organizations:

Complete a pledge to Oregon’s large arts organizations of $5.5 million in one-time funds to match a private philanthropic commitment from the Oregon Community Foundation and the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation

large arts include: Oregon Symphony, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, �Portland Art Museum, Portland Center Stage,�and the Portland Opera

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HB 3191

Fund FULL CREF Slate: 14 Arts/Culture Community Projects:

Through the Cultural Resources Economic Fund (CREF), build, restore, and preserve Oregon’s community treasures. The peer-reviewed CREF slate designates 14 projects as ready for state funding for a total of $9.325 million. We urge its adoption in full.

projects range from $150,000 to $2 million
large geography of Oregon is represented (Coos Bay, Jacksonville, Mt. Hood, Ashland, Salem, Bend and others), with each project essential to the vibrancy of �Oregon’s cultural landscape honoring �geographical and cultural diversity

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HB 3190

Encourage Investment in Preservation & Reuse of Historic Properties:

Partner with Restore Oregon to reauthorize the recently expired special assessment for historic properties program, which allows a discounted assessment for a historic property for ten years in exchange for making appropriate improvements to the property.

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Leveraging Our Collective Voice

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ECOnorthwest LITERATURE REVIEW:

Oregon’s arts and culture sector contributes to the state’s economy, quality of life, and community well-being.

Economic contribution and economic impact data underscore the sector’s role, generating thousands of jobs and driving revenue through employment, tourism, and consumer spending.

Despite these contributions, Oregon ranks 38th nationally in per capita arts funding.

Beyond fiscal impacts, arts & culture enrich community identity, foster civic engagement, and provide cross-sector benefits, from mental health and education to workforce readiness and veteran support.

Research demonstrates that cultural investment strengthens economic resilience, reduces income disparity, and enhances social cohesion.

As Oregon’s policymakers consider the future of cultural funding, �these findings reinforce the value of arts investment across �the state.

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MORE WAYS TO TAKE ACTION

following the House Committee vote to move HB3189 and HB3191

to Ways & Means…

Attend the Ways & Means Roadshow

March 22 - Gresham | 10am - noon

March 28 - Astoria | 5pm-7pm

April 4 - Warm Springs | 5pm-7pm

April 11 - LaGrand | 5pm-7pm

April 16 - Salem | 5pm-7pm

April 25 - Klamath Falls | 5pm-7pm

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