[Heritage] Oregon Heritage News 2009-02-09

[Heritage Info]

In this issue:
1.  Cultural Trust reports increased donations in 2009
2.  Governor appoints Peting to advisory committee
3.  Chinese New Year lectures scheduled in Jacksonville
4.   Oregon birthday celebration set for Portland
5.  Merger ceremony scheduled for Feb. 16


CULTURAL TRUST REPORTS INCREASED DONATIONS IN 2009

The Oregon Cultural Trust, Oregon's unique program to increase public and private investment in culture, reports calendar year 2009 donations of $3,741,337, an increase of 10 percent over 2008.

"Arts and cultural organizations have been particularly challenged to raise funds from individuals and foundations in 2009's difficult economy.  The fact that giving to the Trust increased by 10 percent in 2009 demonstrates that Oregonians care about the history of their communities and the many ways the arts and culture makes a difference in our lives," said Christine D'Arcy, executive director of the Trust.

Oregonians made 7,436 gifts to the Trust in 2009; 22 percent of those gifts were from first-time donors.  The average gift rose to $503.

The Trust intensified outreach across the state and undertook new communications strategies to reinforce the power of culture in communities, working with 45 cultural coalitions to increase awareness of Oregon's cultural tax credit.  As a result, giving in much of rural Oregon, including Curry, Gilliam, Jefferson and Sherman counties, went up.  Of Oregon's 36 counties, 23 increased giving over 2008; 10 decreased; and 3 remained flat.  Donors in the largest population counties, Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas and Lane increased giving by 21 percent, 16 percent, 15 percent and 12 percent, respectively.

The Trust again participated in Willamette Week's Give!Guide - a campaign to encourage philanthropy, particularly among those 35 and under - and experienced a significant increase in donations there, too.  In 2009, 327 donors gave $105,871 to the Trust through the Give!Guide.

Norm Smith, board chair, commented, "Oregonians are a can do people.  Under challenging circumstances, people rally for the community good.  This was certainly true of our 2009 donors, who recognized not only the value but also the need of cultural nonprofits across Oregon.  With a 10 percent boost in giving, we are well on our way to increased grant making for fiscal year 2011.  Good news for everyone who produces - and experiences - cultural programming in Oregon."

Fifty eight percent of the money raised by the Cultural Trust each year remains in a permanent endowment for heritage, humanities and arts.  The remaining 42% is distributed in three program:  to Oregon cultural nonprofits; county and tribal cultural coalitions; and Oregon's five statewide cultural partners, Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Heritage Commission, Oregon Historical Society, Oregon Humanities,  and State Historic Preservation Office.   Trust grants benefit every county in Oregon.

For more information or make a donation, visit www.culturaltrust.org or phone (503) 986-0088.


GOVERNOR APPOINTS PETING TO ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Gov. Ted Kulongoski has appointed Donald Peting from Eugene to serve on the nine-member State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation. 

Peting, who retired in 2002 after a 39-year career with the University of Oregon teaching architectural design, technology and historic preservation, joins other professionals on the committee affiliated with historic preservation- and cultural resource-related fields.

The advisory committee reviews and votes on the eligibility of nominations to the National Register of Historic Places in Oregon and meets three times per year to review nominations brought forward by the State Historic Preservation Office. For more information about the advisory committee and the National Register program,
visit http://www.oregonheritage.org/OPRD/HCD/NATREG/index.shtml 


CHINESE NEW YEAR LECTURES SCHEDULED IN JACKSONVILLE

The Southern Oregon Historical Society will present two lectures Feb. 13 in celebration of Chinese New Years in Jacksonville. Archaeologists Christopher Ruiz and Chelsea Rose will speak at 4 p.m. at South Stage Cellars, 125 S. Third St., Jacksonville.

Ruiz will speak on "The Archaeology of the Jacksonville Chinese Quarters," and Rose will speak about "Chasing The Dragon: Realities and Myths of Opium."

Seating is limited. Advance tickets are available at South Stage Cellars, 541-890-9120.


OREGON BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS SET AT OHS

Music and cake are on the menu Feb. 14 as the Oregon History Museum celebrates Oregon's 151st birthday this Sunday. Open from noon to 5 p.m., the museum will have exhibit tours, Rick Meyers Old Time Music Show, and birthday cake. 

At 3:30 p.m.,  Bob Hart will entertain with his museum theater living history special event about renowned Oregonian Joe Meek.

The museum is located at 1200 SW Park Ave., Portland. For more information, contact Communications at ohs.org or (503) 222-1741, or visit www.ohs.org 


MERGER CEREMONY SCHEDULED FOR FEB. 16

To celebrate their merger into the Willamette Heritage Center, the annual meetings of Mission Mill Museum and Marion County Historical Society will take place simultaneously from 4:30-6 p.m. Feb. 16 .  The event also commemorates the 60th Anniversary of Marion County Historical Society, 46th Anniversary of Mission Mill Museum, and the inaugural year of the Willamette Heritage Center. The business meeting will be followed by music and commemorative cake.
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Oregon Heritage News is a service of the Oregon Heritage Commission, which encourages you to participate in the Heritage Assessment Survey at http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/HCD/OHC/assess_main.shtml