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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 2020)
Wednesday, April 1, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 9 Legislature to consider relief for arts Foundation seeks permit for arts on ranch Arts organizations across the state 4 including those in Sisters 4 have been heav- ily impacted by the shut- down in place to slow the spread of COVID-19. Nonprofit cultural organi- zations in Sisters across the state have canceled perfor- mances, events and activi- ties 4 including key fund- raising events 4 and most have closed their doors to the public. In response to commu- nication from the Oregon Cultural Trust, its Statewide Partners and arts and cul- tural organizations across the state, Governor Kate Brown directed the agency to explore opportunities to identify relief funding to address the devastat- ing impact the COVID-19 health crisis is having on Oregon9s arts and cultural community. As of March 24, 423 Oregon cultural organiza- tions had already reported financial losses to-date of $8,611,881 with data still being collected from more than 1,000 organizations. The loss of projected earned income, lifeblood for most cultural organizations, has already resulted in sig- nificant layoffs and fur- loughs, with many more to come if relief doesn9t arrive soon. Many organi- zations are already facing bankruptcy and permanent closure. In addition, cancellations of events and programming, as well as school closures, have adversely affected hundreds of artists and cul- tural workers whose liveli- hoods depend on income from teaching, performing and participating in cultural activities. Following consulta- tion with the Governor9s Office, Business Oregon and its Statewide Partners, including sister agency the Oregon Arts Commission, the Cultural Trust Board of Directors held an emer- gency meeting on Saturday, March 21, and unanimously voted to use up to $10 mil- lion of its $29 million per- manent fund to create an emergency relief funding program. Because the current Cultural Trust statute does not contain a provision for emergency relief fund- ing, the program requires approval by the Oregon Legislature. A concept for consideration by the Legislature is being devel- oped and will be presented during an anticipated special session within the next few weeks. The Cultural Trust will convene a committee of stakeholders to fully and quickly develop and imple- ment an emergency funding program that is equitable and easy to use to expedite funding. In a news release, The Oregon Cultural Trust stated that the Trust9s <perma- nent fund was created by the Legislature to protect Oregon9s cultural organiza- tions for future generations. That future is currently at dire risk. <The Cultural Trust Board of Directors respects and honors the commitment that thousands of Trust donors have made with their con- tributions to the permanent fund. It is the Board9s sincere hope that donors will respect that, at this unprecedented time in Oregon history, the funds will be used exactly as they were intended: To protect the future of Oregon culture.= The Roundhouse Foundation merges ranching and the arts at Pine Meadow Ranch at the southwest end of Sisters. The Foundation is now seeking to expand facili- ties on the ranch. Deschutes County pro- vided notice that the founda- tion is seeking a conditional use permit and site plan review to establish a <com- munity center= on the ranch and to add a 2,499-square- foot expansion to the ranch shop. The community center will, according to the appli- cation, <continue and expand agricultural operations on the subject property, such as refining farming practices and identifying conserva- tion efforts for onsite natural resources.= The foundation will also host an artist-in-residency program at the community center, using two existing homes on the ranch, with the shop serving both agricul- tural production and as art- ists9 studio space. <Guest artists will be invited to live on the subject property to pursue creative pursuits while assisting in ranch operations and other onsite agricultural activities,= the county notice reads. Erin Borla, a trustee of The Roundhouse Foundation, told The Nugget that, <It9s a way to preserve that space and hopefully boost the arts economy of Sisters.= Borla said that artists- in-residence will work with local artists and on local projects as well as their own work. <They9ll all be required to do some work on the ranch while they9re there, so they9re giving back,= Borla said. <We want this to be a gift to the community by pre- serving this special space.= Quality Truck-mounted CARPET CLEANING Quality Cleaning 16 years in Reasonable Prices Sisters! — Credit Cards Accepted — ENVIROTECH 541-771-5048 Licensed • Bonded • Insured • CCB#181062 RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL See NuggetNews.com or Facebook.com/NuggetNews for breaking news and COVID-19 updates