Portland's Office of Arts & Culture announces $2.8 million awarded to 79 arts organizations * Oregon ArtsWatch

"Portland's Office of Arts & Culture announced this afternoon that it is awarding $2,805,000 to 79 arts organizations. Arts organizations receiving the largest grants include the Oregon Symphony Association and the Portland Art Museum, both of which were awarded $175,000. Portland Center Stage and the Oregon Ballet Theater will each receive $100,000. Other large awards went to Chamber Music Northwest, which will receive $60,000, and Hollywood Theater / Film Action Oregon, receiving $85,000."

"The money comes from the Office of Arts & Culture's General Operating Support program, which provides unrestricted grants to help nonprofits pay their basic operating costs. To be eligible, arts organizations must be headquartered in Portland. The program is funded by the Arts Access Fund, which in turn is funded by the $35 Arts Tax Portlanders pay each year."

"Chariti Montez, the director of the Office of Arts & Culture, said in a press release announcing the awards that "stable, flexible funding" for arts organizations is "really important." "Groups can use the funds for whatever suits them best, from program delivery to staff salaries or rent," Montez said. "Access to this kind of unrestricted money is especially important during times of scarcity and uncertainty.""

Portland's Office of Arts & Culture distributed $2,805,000 to 79 arts organizations through its General Operating Support program. Major recipients include the Oregon Symphony Association and the Portland Art Museum ($175,000 each), Portland Center Stage and the Oregon Ballet Theater ($100,000 each), and other sizable awards to Chamber Music Northwest and Hollywood Theater / Film Action Oregon. Grants are unrestricted and can cover basic operating costs such as staff salaries, utilities, rent, and program delivery. Eligible organizations must be headquartered in Portland. The program is financed by the Arts Access Fund, which is supported by the $35 annual Arts Tax paid by Portland residents.

Read at Oregon ArtsWatch * Arts & Culture News