Did you know that our cultural organizations receive 32% less in corporate, foundation, government and individual support than similar sized cities like St. Louis, Cincinnati, Kansas City and Pittsburgh?
We all benefit from a higher quality of life thanks to the impact our local arts & cultural organizations have on our community. As the holiday season unfolds and another year draws to a close, there are steps you can take right now to help ensure a stronger, more vibrant creative community in 2008:
- Fill out the Creative Capacity survey. Stakeholders throughout the region are looking at sustainable strategies to fund arts and culture programs. Please take 3 minutes to fill out the survey and let us know what you think [1].
- Become a member of your favorite arts organization. Did you know that most cultural organizations only receive less than 50% of their budget from ticket revenue, and less than 2% from local government support? Memberships and contributions help these organizations present their exceptional programs while bringing music, dance, theater, film, visual arts, literary arts, and fold arts into our neighborhoods, schools, and community centers.
- Tickets and memberships also make great gifts. Visit the RACC online calendar [2] online to see what’s being produced and presented in the tri-county region over the next few months.
- Support local artists. During this holiday season buy artwork at galleries and local art bazaars. RACC has created an online listing of art fairs and bazaars [3] to get you started.
- Support more than 75 local arts organizations with a single gift. Your contribution to Work for Art [4] will be matched by a consortium of government partners and passed on 100% to arts organizations through RACC grants in 2008. In appreciation of your gift of $60 or more, you will receive an Arts Card [5], which provides a full year of 2-for-1 tickets and other discounts at hundreds of local arts events. www.workforart.org [6].
- Take the tax credit. Please take a moment to add up all of the contributions you’ve made to arts and culture this year, and make matching gift to the Oregon Cultural Trust [7] before December 31st.
When you do, you will receive a tax credit of up to $500 per individual ($1,000 for couples or $2,500 for corporations) when you file your 2007 taxes. Unlike a tax deduction, which reduces the amount of your taxable income, a tax credit reduces the amount of tax you owe – dollar for dollar!
- Kick it to culture! The Oregon Cultural Trust [8] and Portland Center for Performing Arts [9] invite you to a spirited party to celebrate Oregon's art, culture and humanities.
Cost of admission? Just make a gift of ANY size to one or more of the many arts & culture nonprofits who'll be with us at the party. Then, make a matching gift to the Oregon Cultural Trust. Use part of your state kicker check to "kick some dollars to culture!"Kick It To Culture
Kick it to Culture!
Monday, December 10, 2007 5:30 - 8:00 pm
Portland Center for the Performing Arts
1111Broadway at Main
Info: [503]986-0088 [Salem]
Please RSVP online here [10]Hosted food, drink, entertainment and prizes.