Lincoln County Cultural Coalition awards $30,500 in grants to 17 groups for new, ongoing programs

The Lincoln County Cultural Coalition has awarded $30,500 to 17 nonprofits and other groups using money from the Oregon Cultural Trust, which is created by annual donations through the state’s cultural tax credit.

The grants are designed to fund programs delivering arts, culture, heritage and humanities to Lincoln County residents.

In response to the significant challenges created by the Covid pandemic, the coalition also funded requests for general operating support and capacity building projects. Grants were awarded to:

• Oregon Coast Aquarium: $1,500 to support the “Library Cultural Pass” for local low-income and Latinx families;
• Central Coast Chorale: $1,000 for general operating support as they rebuild the choir;
• Coastal Arts Guild: $2,000 for “Art Bus on the Go” supporting arts workshops in isolated areas from the Oregon Coast Art Bus.
• Coastal Act Productions: $1,500 in support of scenic projections for their upcoming youth productions;
• Conexion Fenix: $2,000 to establish a new ballet folklorico company to support Latinx culture and community in north Lincoln County;
• Lincoln City Playhouse: $1,000 to support their youth theater productions as a part of their 2023 season;
• Music is Instrumental: $2,000 to repair and refurbish musical instruments for students;
• North Lincoln County Historical Museum: $1,476 to support “Kids’ Point of View” a new, interactive, bi-lingual exhibit at the museum;
• Oregon ArtsWatch: $1,000 in support of arts coverage for cultural events and programs in Lincoln County;
• Oregon Coast Youth Symphony Festival: $750 to support professional quartets in free chamber music concerts with students performers;
• Polly Plumb Productions: $1,200 for a series of open mic nights in Yachats.

In addition to the annual cultural grants, the coalition also distributes grants funded by the Mark Sponenburgh Memorial Trust which is managed by Lincoln County Foundation. These grants are open to schools, individuals, civic groups and nonprofits working in arts education.

Sponenburgh grants were awarded to:

• Artists’ Studio Association: $1,600 to support “Art Smart” youth art programs for North Lincoln County youth;
• Lincoln City Cultural Center: $3,500 for youth art outreach in Taft and St. James Santiago elementary schools;
• Newport Symphony Orchestra: $3,500 for a new music mentorship program connecting students with orchestra players for one-on-one instruction;
• Siletz Bay Music Festival: $3,500 for “arts access for all” offering two free concerts to the community;
• James Santiago School: $1,000 for its 10^thanniversary student play and musical performance; and
• Toledo High School Theatre Arts Department: $2,000 for upgrades for theatrical sound equipment that can be used at the school and for traveling performances.

For more information about the Lincoln County Cultural Coalition go to its website.