Arts And Culture Caucus To Announce 2025 Priorities At Feb. 12 Kick-Off Event Featuring Esperanza Spalding (Photo) -01/31/25
Salem, Oregon -- Oregon's Arts and Culture Caucus, the largest bipartisan caucus in the state, will announce its legislative priorities at the 2025 Arts and Culture Caucus Kick-off Event from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at the Elsinore Theatre in Salem. The event is free but RSVPs are required for attendance.
The program will be hosted and curated by jazz artist, educator and 2020 Governor's Arts Award recipient Darrell Grant and will feature performers and culture bearers from around the state including Oregon native and Grammy award-winning artist esperanza spalding.
Event sponsors are Oregon Community Foundation, Creative West (formerly WESTAF), the Cultural Advocacy Coalition Foundation and Friends of Rob Nosse. The event is organized in collaboration with the Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon, the Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Community Foundation and the Oregon Cultural Trust.
"The Oregon arts and culture community is what makes Oregon a special place," said Dana Whitelaw, chair of the Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon. "Come support our work and hear how this legislative session will help our field thrive and grow. "
Coordinated by Rep. Rob Nosse (D-Portland) and Sen. Dick Anderson (R-Lincoln City), the Arts and Culture Caucus includes 27 Legislators who serve as a resource to the full Oregon Legislature on key issues impacting the arts and culture sector.
"The interest in this Caucus, and its rapid growth, just show how much people value the arts and culture organizations in Oregon and how important it is that we support this sector," said Rep. Nosse. "We look forward to working with the arts community and our colleagues in the Legislature on a package of bills in 2025."
"Inside the Legislature, we can find strong bipartisan bonds across the aisle with the Arts and Culture Caucus," added Sen. Anderson. "I have witnessed the value of having a thriving arts and cultural community within the cities I represent. Recognizing this value and assisting its growth throughout all of Oregon is needed; it is an endeavor I am excited to be part of."
The Arts and Culture Caucus launched in early 2023 in recognition of the vital role arts and culture play in the livability and prosperity of Oregon communities -- and in enriching the lives of Oregonians.
Membership of the Caucus also includes Rep. Tom Anderson (D-South Salem); Rep. Ben Bowman (D-Tigard/Metzger/South Beaverton); Rep. Lucetta Elmer (R- McMinnville); Sen. Lew Frederick (D-North/Northeast Portland); Rep. David Gomberg (D-Otis); Rep. Dacia Grayber (D-Southwest Portland/East Beaverton); Rep. Annessa Hartman (D-Gladstone); Rep. Cyrus Javadi (R-Astoria); Rep. Emerson Levy (D-Bend/South Redmond/Tumalo/Sisters); Rep. John Lively (D-Springfield); Sen. James Manning Jr. (D-North Eugene/West Eugene/Veneta); Rep. Kevin Mannix (R-Keizer/North Salem); Rep. Pam Marsh (D-Ashland); Sen. Mark Meek (D-Clackamas County); Rep. Travis Nelson (D-Northeast Portland); Rep. Courtney Neron (D-Wilsonville/King City/Sherwood/Tigard); Rep. Daniel Nguyen (D-Lake Oswego/ Southwest Portland); Rep. Hoa Nguyen (D-East Portland/Damascus); Sen. Deb Patterson (D-Salem); Rep. Hai Pham (D-South Hillsboro/West Beaverton); Sen. Lisa Reynolds (D-Northeast Washington County); Rep. Ricki Ruiz, (D-Gresham); Rep. Greg Smith (Umatilla/Morrow/Gilliam/Sherman Counties); Rep. Thuy Tran (D-Northeast Portland); Rep. Jules Walters (D-West Linn/Tualatin).
"Arts and culture are so important to Oregon," added Rep. Nosse. "All around our state, every day there are concerts, comedy events, public hearings, podcasts, theatrical performances, debates and community events that bring the people of our state together. We must support the cultural and community hubs in our neighborhoods, and I hope this caucus will continue to ensure arts and culture thrive in this state."
Caucus members work closely with stakeholders including the Oregon Arts Commission, the Oregon Cultural Trust (and its Statewide Partners) and the Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon to stay informed on the latest research and issues. It also sets the agenda on priorities for arts and culture legislation.
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