COCC finds new funding source to replace cut federal grant for rural arts-focused summer camps
Barney Lerten
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A recently canceled $10,000 federal grant awarded to Central Oregon Community College’s rural youth camps from the National Endowment for the Arts, eliminated due to federal program cuts, is being fulfilled by emergency funding from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation.
COCC said Thursday that its program was one of just 80 nationwide to receive the stand-in support.
Replacing the “Challenge America” award from the NEA — announced by the college in January as the first-ever grant from that agency — the aid will be used to develop and expand art-focused summer youth camps at COCC’s branch campuses, including offering camps for free or at reduced cost for rural families.
The grant will allow students from Jefferson and Crook counties, age 10-15, to attend a multi-day nature journaling and sketching “Field Notes” camp, held in August.
Families can view all camps and register at cocc.edu/youth