Issued on February 8, 2017 by Christine Drazan, Executive Director, Cultural Advocacy Coalition

Last week I sent an email about the state’s daunting $1.8 billion shortfall. This week we have an opportunity to do something about it. Please consider attending a public hearing near you and tell budget-writers to protect arts and culture when they work to balance the budget.

The legislature’s Ways and Means Committee is taking a road trip and traveling across Oregon to invite public comment on possible budget cuts and spending priorities. Concerned Oregonians will be there to speak up for senior services, public safety, education and roads. Will you stand for the arts?

We know that targeted cuts or attempts to tap the Oregon Cultural Trust would deteriorate public funding for arts and culture in Oregon to levels which could cause lasting harm to the state’s cultural ecology.

Given the budget crisis and the risk that arts, humanities and public broadcasting may face at the federal level, we must do all we can to protect current funding for arts and culture here in Oregon.

Please consider voicing your support at one of the following meetings:

Friday, Feb. 10, 2017
STATE BUDGET – PUBLIC TESTIMONY
5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at:
Oregon State Capitol
Hearing Room F
900 Court Street NE
SALEM

Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017
STATE BUDGET – PUBLIC TESTIMONY
12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at:
Portland Community College, Sylvania Campus
Amo DeBernardis College Center
12000 SW 49th Ave.
PORTLAND

Friday, Feb. 17, 2017
STATE BUDGET – PUBLIC TESTIMONY
5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at:
Hermiston High School
Main Commons
600 S 1st Street
HERMISTON

Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017
STATE BUDGET – PUBLIC TESTIMONY
1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at:
Madras Performing Arts Center
412 SE Bluff Street
MADRAS

Friday, February 24, 2017
STATE BUDGET – PUBLIC TESTIMONY
5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at:
Southern Oregon University
Stevenson Union, Rogue River Room
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
ASHLAND

Saturday, February 25, 2017
STATE BUDGET – PUBLIC TESTIMONY
1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at:
Lane Community College
Forum (Building 17), Rooms 308-309
4000 E 30th Ave.
EUGENE

Friday, March 3, 2017
STATE BUDGET – PUBLIC TESTIMONY
6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at:
Port of Tillamook Bay
Officers Mess Hall
6825 Officers Row
TILLAMOOK

Will you help protect public funding for arts, heritage and the humanities in Oregon? Let’s work together to protect the values that connect us, move us forward and enrich our lives. Your voice matters! Legislators are asking to hear from you. Thank you for all you do to support and strengthen creativity and culture in Oregon, and for using this opportunity to tell budget writers we must protect funding for arts and culture in Oregon.

Additional Resources:

• Big picture on arts and culture in Oregon? Take a look at this.
• Current arts & culture funding in Oregon? Here you go!
• Who received arts grants in your community? And how much was the grant? Check here.
• Have a specific question? Let us know!