As you’ll hear on the show today, the creative class is on the unemployment line and wondering why they can’t make a living in the City that Works, City of Roses, City of Subsidies. To answer the needs of the recession hit arts industry in Portland and Oregon, Portland Mayor Sam Adams is backing a bond to ‘jack more money from the taxpayers to give to the “creative class.” Didn’t they know that “starving artist” is a cliche because it’s true?
Anyhoo, while Sam’s planning to get more money from taxpayers–aside from the current 1-1/2% for arts for government projects and RACC funding (the folks who blew the money on the ZooBombers statue), Oregon also has the Oregon Cultural Trust, a taxpayer supported entity which doles out money to ‘needy’ arts organizations. Among the recipients of $1.45 million this year:
Eugene Opera, $12,000 To support the Donor Expansion and Stabilization (DOCS) project, which includes acquiring software to track donors and prospects; development of an electronic newsletter; a website re‐design; and the hiring of a professional telemarketing service.

* Oregon Mozart Players, $5,000 To expand audience by hiring a noted orchestra marketing consultant. The project focuses on experience enriching strategies, successfully implemented at dozens of orchestras across the country, to attract and retain new concert‐goers. This marketing initiative includes knowledge‐sharing and collaboration with other Eugene‐based arts organizations.

OPB Does begathons several times a year, gets FEDERAL taxpayer funding, and SELLS COMMERCIALS (This program brought to you by….). Why do they need OUR MONEY?
Oregon Public Broadcasting, $35,000
To continue funding for an Emmy Award‐winning television documentary series. ʺThe Oregon Experienceʺ depicts the iconic people and events that have shaped life in our region and reflects the geographic, ethnicand social diversity of Oregon.

Question: Why are we renovating a new building for a dance troupe? Aren’t there a whole bunch of empty buildings around here these days?

BodyVox, $20,000
For initial development of the BodyVox Dance Center, a renovated 11,000 square foot facility near Portland’s Pearl District, that will house dance performance and education activities for BodyVox and the regional 6 performing arts community

Can you say tax free cigarettes, cheaper booze and, dare I say it, GAMBLING?

Cultural Participation Grants to 39 County and Tribal Coalitions (FY10 $484,010 + Carry Forward
$134,019 = Total $618,029)
Baker $7,665
Benton $14,714
Clackamas $44,113
Clatsop $9,814
Columbia $10,867
Coos $12,396
Crook $8,716
Curry $8,177
Deschutes $22,900
Douglas $16,649
Gilliam $6,191
Grant $6,762
Hood River $8,188
Jackson $26,774
Jefferson $8,272
Josephine $14,428
Klamath $12,697
Lake $6,768
Lane $40,999
Lincoln $10,525
Linn $17,149
Malheur $9,205
Marion $37,860
Morrow $7,263
Multnomah $78,641
Polk $12,905
Sherman $6,187
Tillamook $8,637
Umatilla $13,324
Union $8,566
Wallowa $6,720
Wasco $8,446
Washington $58,610
Wheeler $6,159
Yamhill $15,545
*Confederated Tribes of Coos,
Lower Umpqua, & Siuslaw Tribes
$6,095
Confederated Tribes of Grand
Ronde $6,525
Confederated Tribes of Warm
Springs $6,485
Coquille Indian Tribe $6,092