Recommendations

March 28-29, 2024 | Astoria, Or

North Coast Arts Leaders Summit

Thank you to everyone who attended the NCAL Summit for education, government and arts leaders on March 28-29, 2024. The following NCAL recommendations are informed by the discussions and presentations shared during the summit. They are intended to spark further discussion and action in service of a vibrant north Oregon coast arts sector and economy.

Overview

In March 2024, NCAL hosted a summit for Clatsop and Tillamook County education, government and arts sector leaders. Areas of focus included opportunities to 1) expand arts education access to north coast Pre-K – 8th grade youth, 2) create thriving-wage jobs for arts workers upon whom the north coast’s arts and culture reputation relies, and 3) deepen investment in the arts sector as an essential north coast economic driver. Informed by insights and perspectives shared at the summit, NCAL offers the following recommendations.

Recommendations for Astoria-Warrenton government leaders

Extend Astoria’s west urban renewal boundary to meet the east end urban renewal boundary.
Allocate $5M in available west urban renewal boundary funds to revitalize anchor organizations not currently served, such as Astoria Visual Arts, Heritage Square and Astoria Arts and Movement.
Create an Arts and Culture Coordinator position housed within the city, informed by other successful city models in the state (i.e. Hillsboro, Toledo).
Prioritize financial support for arts infrastructure, which includes facilities and operating expenses for anchor organizations and arts leaders (examples: compensated versus volunteer Executive Director positions, funding for essential capital projects).
Reframe arts funding as an economic investment and revenue growth driver rather than a cost center.

Recommendations for Astoria-Warrenton education leaders

Identify a K-8 Astoria-Warrenton school to serve as a Clatsop County 2024-2025 pilot site for the Sitka Youth Program, which now serves all Tillamook County K-8 public schools and is expanding its Lincoln County service area.
Circulate and encourage teacher participation in the NCAL school art access survey.
Schedule a follow up presentation so more Astoria-Warrenton Superintendents and Principals to learn more about barriers to and opportunities to offer school-based arts access.

Recommendations for private foundations and arts philanthropists

Invest in the North central Oregon coast to help build momentum during this time of cross-county and cross-organization collaboration.
Prioritize flexible general operating and salary support.
Advocate for state funding to sustain successful programs and collaborations on the north Oregon coast long-term.

Recommendations for north Oregon coast arts organizations and leaders