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Oregon's arts, heritage and humanities enrich our lives and our communities. October is National Arts and Humanities Month and this Thursday, Oct. 8, the anniversary of Oregon's unique cultural tax credit, is Oregon Day of Culture.
Culture is everywhere in Douglas County. Music on the Half Shell brings us out for live music on warm summer evenings. Umpqua Valley Arts offers gallery space for artists and arts classes for our kids. Historical societies in Douglas County, Glendale, Oakland and Canyonville link our past with our future. The Umpqua Discovery Center brings visitors to Reedsport. The Applegate House Heritage Arts and Education in Yoncalla connects students with local history. The Friends of the Mildred Kanipe Memorial Park Association and the Elkton Community Education Center offer programs that bring our community together.
Those are just a few of our county's cultural assets.
On Oct. 8, the Oregon Cultural Trust invites you to celebrate Oregon culture by participating in it. Get involved! Log on to www.oregondayofculture.org to see or take in a cultural event locally.
Heritage, humanities and arts nonprofits in Douglas County serve the community in countless ways. The people who work or volunteer are our friends and neighbors. They deserve our financial support. And when you give to cultural nonprofits like the Douglas County Historical Society, the Douglas County Museum Association, Umpqua Actors Community Theatre or the Umpqua Symphony Association, you can double your cultural support at no additional cost by matching your gift with a contribution to the Oregon Cultural Trust (www.culturaltrust.org). In return for your gift to the Cultural Trust, the State of Oregon will give you a 100 percent tax credit provided both contributions are made in the same tax year.
The trust was an idea — a vision — in 1999 when it was authorized by the Oregon Legislature. Fundraising began in December 2002. In seven short years, using a mechanism (the cultural tax credit) that was new and designed to increase cultural philanthropy across Oregon, Oregonians have contributed over $17 million to the Cultural Trust – in amounts that range from $5 to $125,000.
As a result, the endowment has grown to more than $9.6 million and more than $8 million has been distributed in grants, benefiting hundreds of arts, heritage and humanities nonprofits in every Oregon County. This year the Oregon Cultural Trust distributed $1.45 million statewide.
In addition to the will of the people to build a permanent fund for culture, the trust has earned the critical and important support of our elected officials including Governor Kulongoski and key legislators.
Oregon is the only state in the nation that allows its citizens to create the money for cultural funding themselves. Ranked with the bottle bill and vote-by-mail as among Oregon's most innovative policies, the Cultural Trust is a program we should all be proud of … and participate in!
So get involved! Join thousands of Oregonians to celebrate, participate, give, in support of Oregon humanities, arts and heritage.
Consider what culture means to you and Douglas County. Enjoy what they bring to us all – and give to them – and to the Oregon Cultural Trust. No gift is too small and every gift counts. Together, we can grow Oregon's permanent fund for culture.
Norm Smith of Roseburg is chairman of the Oregon Cultural Trust Board.
Culture is everywhere in Douglas County. Music on the Half Shell brings us out for live music on warm summer evenings. Umpqua Valley Arts offers gallery space for artists and arts classes for our kids. Historical societies in Douglas County, Glendale, Oakland and Canyonville link our past with our future. The Umpqua Discovery Center brings visitors to Reedsport. The Applegate House Heritage Arts and Education in Yoncalla connects students with local history. The Friends of the Mildred Kanipe Memorial Park Association and the Elkton Community Education Center offer programs that bring our community together.
Those are just a few of our county's cultural assets.
On Oct. 8, the Oregon Cultural Trust invites you to celebrate Oregon culture by participating in it. Get involved! Log on to www.oregondayofculture.org to see or take in a cultural event locally.
Heritage, humanities and arts nonprofits in Douglas County serve the community in countless ways. The people who work or volunteer are our friends and neighbors. They deserve our financial support. And when you give to cultural nonprofits like the Douglas County Historical Society, the Douglas County Museum Association, Umpqua Actors Community Theatre or the Umpqua Symphony Association, you can double your cultural support at no additional cost by matching your gift with a contribution to the Oregon Cultural Trust (www.culturaltrust.org). In return for your gift to the Cultural Trust, the State of Oregon will give you a 100 percent tax credit provided both contributions are made in the same tax year.
The trust was an idea — a vision — in 1999 when it was authorized by the Oregon Legislature. Fundraising began in December 2002. In seven short years, using a mechanism (the cultural tax credit) that was new and designed to increase cultural philanthropy across Oregon, Oregonians have contributed over $17 million to the Cultural Trust – in amounts that range from $5 to $125,000.
As a result, the endowment has grown to more than $9.6 million and more than $8 million has been distributed in grants, benefiting hundreds of arts, heritage and humanities nonprofits in every Oregon County. This year the Oregon Cultural Trust distributed $1.45 million statewide.
In addition to the will of the people to build a permanent fund for culture, the trust has earned the critical and important support of our elected officials including Governor Kulongoski and key legislators.
Oregon is the only state in the nation that allows its citizens to create the money for cultural funding themselves. Ranked with the bottle bill and vote-by-mail as among Oregon's most innovative policies, the Cultural Trust is a program we should all be proud of … and participate in!
So get involved! Join thousands of Oregonians to celebrate, participate, give, in support of Oregon humanities, arts and heritage.
Consider what culture means to you and Douglas County. Enjoy what they bring to us all – and give to them – and to the Oregon Cultural Trust. No gift is too small and every gift counts. Together, we can grow Oregon's permanent fund for culture.
Norm Smith of Roseburg is chairman of the Oregon Cultural Trust Board.
