MEDIA RELEASE – For Immediate release

Date: February 14, 2012
Contact: Eva Calcagno, Director
Washington County Cooperative
Library Services
503-846-3233

Washington County Community Cultural Participation Grant Cycle Opens

Washington County, Oregon – The Cultural Coalition of Washington County (CCWC) opens its 2012 grant cycle on February 21, 2012. Washington County based not-for-profit arts, heritage and humanities organizations may apply for $1000 or $2000 grants for activities, events or communication that will: build awareness of the role and value of arts, heritage or humanities and increase public participation; promote youth access to arts, heritage or humanities to enhance learning and healthy human development; support existing Washington County cultural organizations; or integrate cultural development with economic development policies. To apply for a $2000 grant, an organization must be a 501c3 non-profit.

The Washington County Cultural Plan, detailed 2012 Grant Guidelines, and application instructions for the Community Cultural Participation grant program are available online on the CCWC website: www.culturalcoalitionofwashingtoncounty.org. Application are submitted online through the Regional Arts & Culture Council’s grant application site, www.racc.org/gratns/countyapps.

The grant application period ends April 2nd at 5pm. Funds are to be used for projects taking place between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to attend one of the grant orientation sessions scheduled for:
• Tuesday, February 28th from 3pm to 4:30pm at Hillsboro Shute Park Library, Conference Room,775 SE Tenth Ave., Hillsboro.
• Thursday, March 1st from 3pm to 5pm,. Beaverton City Hall, First Floor Conference Room, 4755 SW Griffith Dr., Beaverton.

The Coalition (formerly the Washington County Arts, Heritage and Humanities Coalition) was established in 2005 to distribute funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust to promote the cultural identity, quality of life and economic vitality of Washington County and its arts, heritage and humanities organizations. The Coalition has distributed over $224,000 in grants to Washington County based organizations over the last seven years.

The Oregon Cultural Trust was established by the Oregon Legislature to strengthen Oregon’s culture through the establishment of a permanent endowment. The Trust primarily receives funding from the sale of Cultural license plates and from gifts from individuals and businesses through an Oregon State tax credit program. The Trust invests a portion of proceeds from the endowment in annual grants to Oregon counties and tribal planning groups, funding for statewide cultural agencies, and competitive grants to cultural non-profits. To learn more about the Trust or to make a donation please visit the website www.culturaltrust.org.

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The Washington County Visitors Association is now accepting applications for its tourism development grants for the 2012-2013 fiscal year. Two types of grants applications are available online: small grants (for projects/programs from $1,000 to $5,000) and large grants (for projects/programs greater than$5,000).

Non-profit organizations and associations, sports and event planners and organizations, tourism groups, government entities and business associations operating in Washington County are eligible to apply. Funds will be awarded to tourism projects and/or programs that will be completed during fiscal year July 1, 2012 – June 15, 2013.

Applications will be judged based on the degree in which they match the WCVA’s target markets:
• Athletic or competitive sporting events
• Wine tourism
• Nature-based tourism
• Agri-tourism
• Arts and culture

Deadline: March 15, 2012

This sepia-toned mural covers an exterior wall of the Leedy Grange Hall on a highly-visible intersection in Cedar Mill (facing Saltzman Rd. just off Cornell Rd.).  Coordinated by grange members, with donated paint from Miller Paints and a grant from the Cultural Coalition of Washington Co., it was created by Leslie Peterson and is based on a 1908 photo of Cedar Mill residents. The mural was dedicated on 11/18/11 with the artist and community members attending.

Mural by Leslie Peterson. Photo taken by Georgia Harker.

Grant Cycle 2012-2013

All funded activities must take place between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013.

Grant opening : Feb 21, 2012

Grant closing deadline:  April 2, 2012

Grants are accepted between these dates but it is recommended you do not wait until the last day as RACC servers can sometimes be slow if too much comes in on one day.

February 28, 2012, 3-4:30 pm, Hillsboro Shute Park Library, Conference Room

March 1, 2012, 3-5 pm, Beaverton City Hall, First Floor Conference Room

WE ARE WITNESSES was performed by STAGES (performing arts youth academy) one of CCWC’s grantee’s in 2011.  Here are some photos from the production.

Lesta (learn English/Spanish through the Arts) is one of the 2011 grant recipients.  Grant Award: $2000

Lesta 2011

Liberty High School is one of the recepients of this year’s Washington County Cultural Coalition Grants and their project Radio Jazz Hour will be performed on Saturday, November 5th at the Walters Cultural Center.  If you are able to send this along to other interested parties we would so appreciate it. This is going to be an amazing show with kids that have worked hard to bring high quality talent to the “White Feather Lounge”  aka Walters Cultural Center.

L.E.S.T.A.  – Learn English/Spanish Through the Arts

Cyndi Turtledove, MFA – Artistic Director

365 NE Jackson St. Hillsboro, Or. 97124

(503) 617-6986  cyndi@lesta.net   www.lesta.net

PRESS RELEASE

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Mon. Oct. 24, 2011

 L.E.S.T.A. SEEKS ADDITIONAL BOARD MEMBERS

 L.E.S.T.A. – Learn English/Spanish Through the Arts – is seeking additional Board Members forits 2011 – 2012 Project Season, which includes “Theatre as Therapy” as well as Bilingual Mus-ical Theatre.   LESTA is a Non-Profit Corporation, EIN #11 – 3799 479, which has received grants from the HACC – Hillsboro Arts & Culture Council,  CC of WC –the Cultural Coalition ofWashington County and Umpqua Bank.

 With children’s summer camps and year-round Family classes, LESTA’s mission is to bring Hispanics, Anglos and all ethnic groups together through the use of Bilingual Musical Theatre classes and shows which teach Spanish and English to all ages. It provides scholarships to low income families in less served areas of Washington County.   Having created more than 25 successful Bilingual Musical plays with children and adults since 2007, in 2011 LESTA conducted projects at the Walters Cultural Arts Center, the Hillsboro Grange and in December will do it’s Second Annual CHRISTMAS PASTORELA at the Hart Theatre.

Board Member Application Forms  are due by Nov. 20.  Non-board Volunteers are also needed in the areas of fund raising, publicity and website assistance.  Board meets 4 times per year,  4-6 pm on a Sunday in January, April, July and October.   People interested in community service and the furtherance of tolerance, understanding and cooperation between Hispanic and non-Hispanic communities in our culturally diverse area, are invited to apply.  More Latino members are especially needed at this time, but being bilingual is not a requirement.

For more information and to receive an Application, contact Artistic Director, Cyndi Turtledove, at (503) 617-6986, cyndi@lesta.net  and visit the website  www.lesta.net