Marion County Cultural Development Corporation Plan
The MCDC was organized as an independent, non-profit, public benefit corporation for the purpose of enhancing the development of the visual arts, performance arts, narrative and literary arts, cultural tourism, heritage, history and natural history and humanities in Marion County, Oregon through the periodic distribution of grant monies from the Oregon Cultural Trust.
The corporation fulfills the above function by:
- Reviewing and updating this plan every 4 years.
- Awarding grants to qualified applicants with funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust.
- Supporting those cultural activities that meet the goals of the corporation as stated in the action
plan. - Serving as an advocate and forum for needs and issues related to arts, heritage and humanities.
PRIORITY 1:
Increase access to and awareness of Marion County’s cultural assets and their value through
increased public support and appreciation.
Goals:
- Encourage information sharing, cooperative/coordinated advertising and promotion of cultural
events within Marion County. - Encourage partnerships between local cultural groups and their parallel or allied organizations
to share information, expertise, services and strengthen programs. - Fund projects that promote increased access to and awareness of Marion County cultural assets.
PRIORITY 2:
Strengthen Communities by upholding diverse cultural traditions and the distinctive character of
cities, small towns and neighborhoods throughout Marion County.
Goals:
- Promote mutual understanding among cultural groups by developing avenues of communication
and information sharing. - Raise pride in individual cultural identity by supporting festivals and other events that celebrate
the county’s small towns and ethnic communities. - Strive for participation in the mainstream cultural opportunities of Marion County by a more
diverse segment of the population. - Promote documentary projects, traveling exhibitions, and touring performances that focus on diverse ethnic groups.
- Encourage cultural programs that reach rural Marion County communities.
PRIORITY 3:
Inspire youth to engage in creative expression and heritage activities and support their efforts to
develop cultural awareness and proficiency.
Goals:
- Increase the number of youth participants in arts, heritage and humanities programs both in and
outside of the school setting. - Support non-profit cultural organizations that provide equitable opportunities to youth.
- Support non-profit organizations that sponsor artist-in-residence programs, traveling performers
or heritage interpreters.
Cultural Plan
Download and read the complete 2018-2021 Marion Cultural Development Corporation Plan:
Building Support for Community Arts and Culture: A Plan for Cultural Development in Marion County (pdf)