Every once in a while, it’s good to take time to appreciate what’s cool about where you live. Join us in celebrating the things that set Oregon apart and make our state special, from natural wonders to unique cultural, historical, and legislative stories. What an amazing place!
The speakers are Oregon State Representative Pam Marsh and Amy Cuddy, Ambassador, Oregon Cultural Trust. Rep. Marsh will review major Oregon legislative achievements in history, and Cuddy will discuss the Oregon Cultural Trust, which stands as a testament to how much Oregonians value culture. No other state provides a 100 percent tax credit to inspire cultural giving. As uniquely Oregonian as public beaches and the Bottle Bill, the Oregon Cultural Trust was established by the Legislature as an ongoing funding engine for arts and culture across the state. To add to the fun, the event will conclude with an Oregon Trivia Quiz, with prizes!
Rep. Marsh is currently serving her fourth term as State Representative for House District 5, Southern Jackson County. She is Chair of the House Committee on Housing and Homelessness and a member of the House Committee on Climate, Energy and Environment and House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Water, and Natural Resources. Rep. Marsh’s legislative priorities include homelessness and housing issues, clean energy development, wildfire recovery, broadband expansion, and nurturing the comeback of the state’s beavers.
Amy Cuddy, an Oregon Cultural Trust Ambassador, moved to Ashland in 1986 to work at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF). In the 1980’s and 1990’s she worked in the Development and Marketing departments and, as the Director of Marketing and Communication, had oversight for publications, media relations, education programs, box office, house staff and volunteers. Following her time at OSF, Cuddy had a 20-year career at the Oregon Community Foundation, where she was most recently the Philanthropic Advisor and Regional Director for Southern Oregon. She is a trustee of The Carpenter Foundation in Medford and a board member of OSF. Her past board service includes a decade on the Oregon Tourism Commission, and the legislative task force whose work resulted in the creation of the Oregon Cultural Trust. Born and raised in Connecticut, Cuddy holds a B.A. and an MBA from Yale University.
The monthly Big Ideas discussion series features prominent local experts speaking on relevant and timely issues affecting our community. Lectures are jointly sponsored by the Ashland Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and Jackson County Library Services.
