$34K grant will fund cultural series, other key projects

By James Sloan, Rogue Valley Times

A record $4.15 million in grant funding has been awarded to 91 organizations statewide through the Oregon Cultural Trust this year, with BASE Southern Oregon being selected as one of the grant-winning groups and receiving $34,000. 

The grant funding will be used by BASE in a variety of ways, including funding its cultural events, public history collaborations, community art initiatives and more. 

“This grant turns belief into logistics. It pays teaching artists and youth stipends, covers materials and exhibit installation, helps with transportation, and keeps public events free or low-cost so more families can participate,” said Vance Beach, founder and executive director of BASE. “Every dollar is tied to real deliverables and community access.” 

“Supporting BASE aligns directly with the Trust’s mission to fund arts, heritage and humanities across all of Oregon,” said Aili Schreiner, trust manager for the Oregon Cultural Trust. “This grant represents an opportunity to amplify the lived experiences of Black residents and artists in Southern Oregon — stories that have historically been overlooked.”

Around 44% of eligible grant applicants were awarded between $5,000 and $40,000 from the Oregon Cultural Trust. 

A key focus of the $34,000 BASE grant will be highlighting Black arts, stories and culture, which has historically been under-represented in Southern Oregon, Beach said. 

“Southern Oregon hasn’t always had spaces where Black stories are visible. The Cultural Trust grant helps us change that — through youth-led art, public celebrations and partnerships that welcome the whole community,” he said. 

A key program that will be funded is BASE’s Black Cultural Legacy Series, which is a season of youth-led arts and community events that make Black history, creativity and belonging visible across the region. 

“Belonging should be visible in Southern Oregon. That’s what this investment makes possible,” Beach said. 

Some of the events in the season include a planned gallery exhibit in late January and February for Black History Month; a Kwanzaa and cultural learning celebration with school-friendly learning tied to Kwanzaa’s seven principles; BASE’s annual Juneteenth community gathering with youth showcases; and collaborations with partners such as the Rogue Gallery & Art Center and Oregon Black Pioneers. 

BASE is set to host its second annual Fundraising Gala at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Ashland Hills Hotel.

For more information on BASE, its youth mentoring and cultural programs and more, visit baseoregon.org. 

Reach reporter James Sloan at [email protected]. This story first appeared in the Rogue Valley Times.