Oregon Honors Seven Outstanding Arts & Culture Leaders, Organizations And Communities (Photo) - 11/09/26
Award recipients selected from more than 630 nominations to be celebrated Dec. 1, followed by statewide Arts & Culture Summit Dec. 2 in Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. (Nov. 9, 2026) — From preserving Indigenous traditions and creating opportunities for young artists to helping communities recover and thrive, seven outstanding individuals, organizations and communities have been selected for the 2026 Oregon Arts & Culture Awards.
Presented jointly by the Oregon Cultural Trust and Oregon Arts Commission, the awards and statewide summit honor the people and partnerships strengthening cultural life, creative work and community identity throughout Oregon.
Chosen from more than 630 community nominations, the recipients represent the creativity, leadership and cultural contributions that make Oregon a vibrant place to live, work and visit. They will be honored Tuesday evening, Dec. 1, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.
“Arts and culture bring Oregon’s stories to life. They help us understand one another, celebrate the places we call home and build stronger, more vibrant communities,” said Oregon First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson. “These honorees show what’s possible when creativity and community come together.”
Event Details
What: 2026 Oregon Arts & Culture Awards and Summit
When: December 1–2, 2026
Where: Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Oregon
Media access: Contact Julie Lee at [email protected] to coordinate coverage and interviews.
Event information: www.culturaltrust.org/summit/
The celebration kicks off the Oregon Arts & Culture Awards and Summit, bringing together artists, cultural leaders, educators, policymakers, business partners and advocates from across the state. Together, they will recognize the role arts and culture play in Oregon’s identity, community recovery, economy and placemaking — and explore opportunities for connection, learning and collaboration.
“The work to keep a tradition alive, help a child find their voice or rebuild a community appears in tiny moments across Oregon every day,” said Amy Lewin, Oregon Director of Arts and Culture. “This gathering will honor our working artists, our leaders and our champions; it’s just one of many ways we are strengthening the connections for creatives ready to help define what’s next for Oregon. We invite all those interested to join us Dec. 1 and 2.”
Awards Celebration and Statewide Summit
The gathering builds on Oregon’s tradition of statewide cultural convenings, returning with a refreshed format that pairs recognition of outstanding cultural contributions with conversations about the sector’s future. The event also celebrates the Oregon Cultural Trust’s 25th anniversary.
Tuesday, December 1 | Oregon Arts & Culture Awards Celebration | 5:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
The evening will honor the seven award recipients and celebrate 25 years of the Oregon Cultural Trust.
Wednesday, December 2 | Oregon Arts & Culture Summit | 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
A statewide gathering of cultural organizations, funders, educators, Tribal representatives, business leaders and policymakers featuring the release of a new Creative Economy Report, a keynote presentation, breakout conversations on education and cross-sector collaboration, and opportunities to connect. A networking gathering will follow the Summit.
Oregon’s cultural sector supports more than 70,000 jobs and contributes $11 billion annually to the state’s economy, underscoring the importance of continued investment and collaboration.
2026 Oregon Arts & Culture Award Recipients
• Lifetime Achievement in Arts & Culture Award — Roberta Lavadour, Pendleton: An accomplished artist and longtime leader of the Pendleton Center for the Arts, Lavadour has spent decades expanding access to arts education, exhibitions, music and cultural programming in Eastern Oregon.
• Emerging Cultural Innovator Award — Erica Alexia Ledesma, Southern Oregon: An artist, storyteller and cultural organizer whose work amplifies Indigenous, Latine and immigrant voices. Ledesma co-founded Coalición Fortaleza and uses art to build community, encourage cultural expression and create opportunities for young people.
• Traditional Arts and Culture Keepers Award — Stephanie Craig, anqati təmtəm tənas siyaxus, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde/Dayton: A traditional weaver, educator and cultural keeper dedicated to preserving Indigenous weaving traditions, sharing knowledge across generations and sustaining the natural materials and cultural practices essential to her art.
• Community Catalyst Award — Talent’s Arts & Culture Community, Southern Oregon: Recognized for using arts and culture as a powerful force for community recovery following the devastating 2020 wildfires. Its “Our Stories Through Arts” initiative is a public art collaboration involving five local Talent organizations, reflecting a community-wide commitment to creativity, connection and revitalization.
• Youth Engagement Award — Maxtivity Creative Space for Community Arts, Philomath: A nonprofit community arts studio empowering youth to express and grow their creative gifts, find belonging with creative peers and mentors, and use their creativity to make their communities more vibrant places to live.
• Art and Culture in Public Places Award — City of Woodburn, Recognized for celebrating the community’s rich cultural heritage through public murals, art installations, cultural celebrations and programs that reflect Woodburn’s diverse history and residents.
• Business of the Year Award — Lithia & Driveway, Medford/Statewide: A longtime supporter of arts and culture throughout the state, Lithia & Driveway has made significant investments in organizations including the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Britt Music & Arts Festival, as well as in arts education and youth programming.
Best Media Opportunities:
Tuesday, December 1 — Awards Night & Celebration | Oregon Convention Center, Portland Ballroom
5:30 p.m. Welcome reception: cultural leaders and awardees arriving; dancers, artmaking and interviews.
6:30 p.m. Dinner and opening performance, followed by a welcome and reading from Oregon Poet Laureate Ellen Waterston and a celebration of the Oregon Cultural Trust’s 25th anniversary.
7:30 p.m. Arts & Culture Awards presentation: recognition of seven award recipients; key photo and interview opportunity.
Wednesday, December 2 — Statewide Arts & Culture Summit | Oregon Convention Center, Portland Ballroom
10 a.m. ECOnorthwest presentation of a new report on Oregon’s creative economy by Brittany Bagent, with findings on creative-sector jobs and contributions.
10:30 a.m. “Why Oregon’s Creative Economy Matters” panel featuring Damon Runberg (Business Oregon), Brittany Bagent (ECOnorthwest), Dana Whitelaw (High Desert Museum and Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon) and Jason Holland (Oregon Arts Commission Chair and Oregon Coast Council for the Arts).
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About the Oregon Cultural Trust
Created in 2001 by the Oregon Legislature, the Oregon Cultural Trust serves as an ongoing funding engine for arts, heritage and humanities. Funding comes through the Cultural Tax Credit, which empowers Oregonians to direct a portion of their state taxes to support cultural opportunities. A percentage of donations go directly to 45 county and Tribal Cultural Coalitions and qualified nonprofits, and a portion goes toward helping grow a permanent endowment. Nested within Business Oregon, the Cultural Trust’s investments support the economies, educational opportunities and vibrancy of communities throughout the state. Learn more at CulturalTrust.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About the Oregon Arts Commission
The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, arts programs and funding for nonprofits and artists through its grants, special initiatives and services. Commissioners appointed by the Governor establish policies and provide advisory support for public investment in the arts. Nested within Business Oregon, the Arts Commission works to support the economies, educational opportunities and vibrancy of communities throughout the state. The Arts Commission is supported with funds appropriated by the Oregon Legislature, as well as by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Oregon Cultural Trust. Learn more at oregonartscommission.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
