Coalition to award grants for artwork

“In the past, we’ve funded many projects that are highly beneficial to the community,” she said. “But from what I understand, the coalition would really like to see even more applications for a wider variety of projects.”

Nelson said the coalition hopes to see more innovative project ideas that are new and different from what they’ve seen before.

“One of the things we really aim to do is to provide funds to rural artists who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to fund their artwork,” she said. “That’s one of the goals.”

Applications are due on or before Nov. 26 for projects and activities occurring between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2015.

Every year, the coalition distributes dollars provided by the cultural trust to further develop multicultural awareness, support small or experimental projects and explore the geographic diversity of the county. They also want to expose youth to the arts and local heritage.

The trust receives funding from license plates, investments and donations and redistributes that money to 41 county and tribal cultural coalitions across the state, who then disperse it to local communities through grants.

According to Nelson, Wasco County receives about $7,000 to award local applicants.

In 2014, six organizations in the county were awarded cultural coalition grants totaling $5,925. The recipients were: Columbia Gorge Arts and Culture Alliance for the creation of a Gorge Arts and Culture Map; South Wasco County School District for organizing the Redsides Pow-wow; The Theatre Company of The Dalles for funding the Missoula Children’s Theatre; Main Street Mosier for the Sharing Our Gifts project; Wonderworks, for providing Music and Art Experiences for Children; and The Dalles Art Center for hosting Viva los Artistas!

Application materials are available at local libraries across Wasco County, along with The Dalles Art Center and the county’s Cultural Trust Coalition website at http://www.wascoculturaltrust.org.

Submissions will be reviewed by the coalition and successful applications will be announced in mid-December. For more information, contact Kay Ericksen at 541-298-1744.

The Cultural Trust is unique to Oregon in that no other state in the nation offers a method for its citizens to create money for cultural funding or provide cultural funding resources specific to the assets and needs of each county, while still offering a tax credit for those who choose to make a matching donation to one of over 1,300 nonprofit organizations.

Since 2003, the trust has provided over $14 million in grants to 950 arts, heritage and humanities programs directly and an additional 2,400 projects through cultural coalitions. Cultural Partner agencies have supported another 60 projects statewide. For a list of the qualifying nonprofit organizations. or more information about the coalition, visit the website: www.culturaltrust.org.