November 12, 2025 3:05 a.m. 

In the KQEN Cultural Spotlight:

Two local organizations: Umpqua Valley Arts Association and Riverbend Live! are among 355 arts organizations that are sharing over $1.7 million in grants awards through the Oregon Arts Commission’s Sustaining Arts Program for the fiscal year 2026.

An OAC release said in 2025, the commission reimagined this grant program to provide a more equitable distribution of funds to arts organizations. Awards are based on a newly updated formula that considers an organization’s annual expenses, number of applications and available grant funds. Grant awards range from $1,000 to $20,000 and these unrestricted funds are available to nonprofit arts organizations that offer public arts programs throughout the year.

Umpqua Valley Arts is getting $5,916 while Riverbend Live! is receiving $2,368.

The Oregon Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by the Oregon State Legislature and with federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust. More information is available online at: http://www.artscommission.oregon.gov/