OREGON ARTS COMMISSION SETS JANUARY 31, 2013 DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS FOR ARTS & CULTURAL TOURISM GRANTS

Arts Commission Sets January 31, 2013 Deadline for Applications for Arts & Cultural Tourism Grants Grants to Support Projects and Partnerships that Advance Arts-based Cultural Tourism

The Oregon Arts Commission announces a January 31, 2013, 5:00 pm electronic deadline for applications for its Arts & Cultural Tourism Grants.   Oregon arts organizations and units of local governments working to increase tourism motivated entirely or in part by the arts-related offerings of a community or region are invited to submit proposals.   

The Arts Commission offers Cultural Tourism Grants to support projects and partnerships that advance arts-based cultural tourism activity.  The grants are part of the Commission's Creative Oregon strategy to foster stronger links between the arts, culture, the tourism industry and local economic development. 

Grants can support activities undertaken by arts or tourism groups - and especially projects in which both collaborate to attract Oregonians and non-residents, to communities, regions and the entire state through the strength of the arts-related offerings.

Proposed projects may enhance an existing cultural tourism project or fund a new initiative. 

Recent grantees in this category include the Ross Ragland Theater, for a new promotional effort, Eat, Stay, Play, promoting the cultural treasures of the Klamath Basin; Cultural Byways, a collaborative arts and cultural marketing effort led by Arts Central in Bend, and Portland's Miracle Theatre, to develop "fam" tours for educators, journalists and key leaders from the Latino community with the goal of increasing attendance among the Latino visitor market.

Applicants for Cultural Tourism grants must have IRS 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status and corporate nonprofit status in the state of Oregon; or be a unit of local government.  Up to $10,000 in matching grant funds may be requested.

The grant application is available at  http://www.oregonartscommission.org/grants/grants-for-organizations/cultural-tourism-grants.   Additional information is available by calling the Arts Commission at (503) 986-0082.