Julie Vigeland, a longtime member of the Portland Center Stage board of directors who took a key role in raising money for the Gerding Theater project, has been appointed to the Oregon Arts Commission, the policy-setting and grant-making body on the Arts.

“It is more important than ever to support Oregon’s arts and culture organizations across the state, particularly as the economy rebuilds,” noted Vigeland. “Whether large or small, new or established, rural or urban, these organizations are vital to Oregon’s economic and cultural health. The work of the Arts Commission is a key component in maintaining the health of our vast array of arts and culture nonprofits.”

Julie brings extensive volunteer experience with arts and cultural nonprofits to the commission. She is a member of the Giving in Oregon Council, Oregon’s thank tank on philanthropy and giving. Since 1995, she has served on the board of Portland Center Stage, serving as chair for five years and chairing the Capital Campaign for the Gerding Theater at the Armory. Vigeland is one of three trustees of the Jackson Foundation as well as a trustee of the Wessinger Foundation. Her board service in the Portland area also includes the Regional Arts & Culture Council, Oregon Symphony Foundation, Friends of the Portland Center for Performing Arts and Oregon College of Art & Craft. She is a past president of Grantmakers of Oregon and SW Washington. She has received numerous honors for her work, including the Women of Distinction Award for the Arts presented by Marylhurst University.

The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, funding and arts programs through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission became part of Business Oregon (Oregon Business Development Department) in 1993, in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities. In 2003, the Oregon legislature moved the operations of the Oregon Cultural Trust to the Arts Commission, streamlining operations and making use of the Commission’s expertise in grantmaking, arts and cultural information and community cultural development.

The Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by the Oregon legislature and with federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust.

Current Arts Commission board
Ron Paul, Portland, chair
Jean B. Bower Cowling, Medford, vice chair
Cynthia Addams, Keizer
Bart Eberwein, Portland
Boyd Harris, Condon
Royal Nebeker, Gearhart
Henry Sayre, Bend
Julie Vigeland, Portland