Yesterday, I joined artists and advocates from across Oregon for a gathering hosted by the Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon (CACO) — a conversation centered on one essential truth: the arts are not a luxury, they are a lifeline.
We met at the Reser Art Center, a place that began as a grassroots idea and has since become a beacon for over 170,000 visitors and 142 nonprofits — a true “House of Hope” and “House of Freedom.” That spirit of possibility filled the room as we gathered around circular tables in the lobby of the Reser Art Center. Sitting together at my table were a band director, a visual artist, a choral conductor, and a historical architecture advocate, representing the many ways creativity shapes our communities.
Finding the Common Thread
Facilitator Rob Fenty challenged us to define the need-solution relationship that drives arts and culture. What human needs are we truly addressing? The answers came quickly: innovation, connection, belonging, identity, and healing. These are not just nice-to-haves; they are what hold our communities together in an age of disconnection and division. With the uncertainty of AI, our need to connect with our humanity feels like a priority.
Around every table, participants echoed the same urgency — we need a compelling story that unites us across disciplines and regions. Whether through music, architecture, theater, or visual art, our work is fundamentally about restoring humanity’s sense of wholeness.
In many ways, we intersected easily, “preaching to the choir” with enthusiasm and relief to know we were not alone in our convictions. The differences showed up as you might expect, through our siloed area of expertise and experiences. Even still, we managed to communicate respectfully, highlighting the need to listen deeply to each other when we felt lost in knowledge or experience regarding what the sharer was conveying. My team agreed that we would have liked to attend this gathering better prepared for the conversations we were having, as we felt the rush to prioritize solutions before we fully understood what was being proposed.
The Power of Collaboration
Sue Dixon from Portland Opera reminded us that collaboration is where the magic happens — that advocacy and sustainability depend on connection. Each arts organization brings a piece of Oregon’s cultural fabric to life, but together, we can weave something more substantial: a collective narrative that compels funders, policymakers, and communities to invest in the creative future we all share.
I did experience some of the magic in the room. Even though the goal wasn't to pit larger organizations against smaller ones, this conversation could have facilitated a more profound and more impactful collaboration amongst us all. Perhaps it's coming; maybe this is the first of many. I certainly hope so, because if we could somehow leverage a collaboration of resources, artists who have transitioned into administrators might actually be freed up to create the art they committed to in their early adulthood.
A Call to Action
Every region across the state is now holding gatherings for arts administrators to share stories and ideas about the urgent need for the arts and ways to create sustainability with CACO to create a unified message for state legislators — stories that highlight why art matters now. The time for competition is over; this is the moment for unity, resource sharing, and a collective vision.
CACO's message to us all: If we want a sustainable model for arts funding, we must speak with one voice — one that celebrates diversity, creativity, and the transformative power of culture in every Oregonian’s life.
The work ahead won’t be easy, but it’s worth every ounce of effort. Because when artists band together, we don’t just tell Oregon’s story — we become it.