PORTLAND, Ore. — Local arts and culture organizations received holiday checks from the PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning as it awarded close to $205,800 to nonprofit programs in its service area. It also donated another $13,000 in small community grants.

The PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning serves as the charitable arm for Pacific Power.

“When community and education budgets become tighter, arts programs often suffer,” said Andy MacRitchie, PacifiCorp executive vice president and Foundation board member. “We believe the arts are an important, integral part of a well-rounded education, so we think it’s a smart investment.”

MacRitchie said that, according to research, less than 21 percent of Oregon children engage in any art form due to diminished school budgets and class offerings. The Foundation’s arts and culture grants are one of four groups of awards each year. Other award categories include education, civic and community groups, and health and human services.

The following Portland-based organizations were awarded grants:

Lewis & Clark Bicentennial in Oregon – transport students to Corps II Exhibition – $5,000
Transport Native American students from deserving, financially struggling school districts to the National Park Service’s award-winning exhibition.

Library Foundation – Raising A Reader early literacy program - $5,000
Help launch the child/parent reading initiative in Northeast Portland. RAR provides books, a multilingual parent video and personal support from childcare providers.
 
MetroArts Inc. – annual Kids Camp for underserved children – $1,000
Allow students to experience music, dance, visual arts and theatre at a camp, where artists from many prestigious Portland arts organizations demonstrate their talents.

Northwest Children's Theater & School – Intensive Educational Outreach Project – $1,500
Help continue the Theater Arts program at King Elementary School.

Oregon Ballet Theatre – Student Performance Series ballets for grades K-12 – $5,000
Fund three OBT performances to reach 8,000 students in public, private and home schools throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Oregon Children's Theatre – arts education professional development for teachers – $1,500
Help underwrite program to help teachers learn new tools to integrate theater learning with required classroom curriculum.

Oregon Historical Society – National History Day student competition – $5,000
Offset costs of the National History Day competition, where students prepare individual or group projects about issues, ideas, people and events of historical significance.

Oregon Symphony Association – Oregon Symphony in the Neighborhoods – $5,000
Contribute to the Oregon Symphony in the Neighborhoods concert and community festival in North Portland in Summer 2006.

Portland Center Stage – Visions & Voices program to introduce youth to theater – $5,000
Bring professional actors and writers into area high schools for a nine-week residency to help students write their own plays. Some are performed at a year-end festival.

Portland Children’s Museum – Arts in Focus education project – $2,500
Help fund arts education residencies at two Northeastern Portland schools working with underserved children in the Portland Public Schools Head Start programs.

Portland Opera Association – Portland Opera Works! arts education program – $10,000
POW! will bring Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” to teachers and students statewide, including in-school performances, curriculum guides and classroom workshops.
 
Portland Youth Philharmonic Association – free concerts for grades 3 - 8 – $5,000
Host 10,000 children from 160 area schools to an introduction to symphonic music at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

Sojourn Theatre – Afield Program (started by Haven Project) – $2,000
Pairs underserved teens from alternative high schools and residential treatment centers with professional theatre artist/mentors, one-on-one. Teens learn the basic tenets of playwriting.

World Forestry Center – Forest Connections field-trip program for students – $5,000
Supports a new program to boost field-trips for low-income elementary and middle school students. Kids learn about the forest and its relationship to the biosphere.

World Affairs Council – International Speaker Series – $2,000
Help broaden the understanding of international affairs by subsidizing student tickets to the Council’s International Speakers Series.

Young Audiences of Oregon & SW Wash. – Coach Cadre peer mentoring program – $2,000
Helps educate artists on how to effectively teach their craft in schools.

The Foundation’s mission is to foster strategic sustainable learning initiatives that serve the best aspirations of individuals, organizations and communities, and that enhance and develop their capabilities to address significant challenges and opportunities.

To apply for a grant, and to review specific eligibility requirements, please go to www.pacificorpfoundation.org .