Page 21 - Southern Oregon Magazine Fall 2022

A
AWARDS
WA
R
D
S

6 BENEFICIARIES
CULTURAL TRUST GRANTS

he Cultural Trust has awarded more than $3.4 million to Oregon
Tcultural organizations. Several Southern Oregon establishments
are among the 138 statewide recipients.

Josephine Community Library Foundation, Grants Pass: $31,175.
To support the purchase of a centrally located property for the future
home of the new Grants Pass library branch and a community com-
mons that will more fully meet the information, culture, technology,
and community gathering needs of local residents by June 2023.

Oregon Shakespeare Festival Association, Ashland: $37,790.
To support holistic access to theatre performances for individuals
with hearing impairments through ASL+ weekends featuring ASL
(American Sign Language), audio description (detailed narration via
headphones), captioning (written transcription on a tablet), Assistive
Listening Devices (increased volume amplification via listening
devices), and other access and accommodation services.
MÄS MAKES THE LIST
NY TIMES AMERICA’S BEST RESTAURANTS Rogue Valley Wind Ensemble, Ashland: $15,753. To support the
acquisition of a part-time paid executive director to bring professional
ccording to the New York Times annual America’s Best Restaurants skills to administrative tasks currently done by the board of directors;
AList (50), released this fall, two Oregon restaurants made the list, to expand the work of contracted staff to support the board and execu-
along with establishments in New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, New tive director in pursuit the Ensemble’s goals and objectives; to develop
Orleans, Chicago, Nashville, and more. Portland is one of the two. the skills of the Board to include strategic planning and fundraising; and
to recruit new board members with experience on nonprofit boards.
The second is here in Southern Oregon, Ashland’s MÄS, a petite tasting
menu restaurant down an alley in downtown. Chef Josh Dorcak is cre- Southern Oregon Repertory Singers, Ashland: $8,009. To support
ating what he calls Cascadian cuisine as a series of Japanese-influenced, the commissioning of a 30-minute composition for chorus and orches-
picturesque miniatures of memorable poise. Salty plum-cured rock- tra by young African-American composer Alvin Trotman in 2023, as
fish with fermented blueberries and compressed pluots; chawanmushi well as its world premiere performance in person and via livestream as
built from a corn dashi mixed with goat milk, enriched with king crab the centerpiece of Southern Oregon Repertory Singers' Sixth Annual
and finished with preserved roses and fresh marigolds. His eye-opening First Light Festival of New Choral Music in May 2024.
cooking requires almost no heat, is paired often brilliantly with sake.
TheTimes added that Dorcak’s cooking “will leave you feeling as if Southern Oregon University, Ashland: $37,790. To support the
you’ve drawn a breath of Technicolor mountain air.” Indigenous Gardens Network’s restoration of Native American access
to First Foods, Medicines, and Fibers of cultural significance in
www.masashland.com Southwestern Oregon.

Talent Historical Society, Talent: $8,451. To support the Talent
Historical Society in documenting the Almeda Fire, its impact on the
Talent community and the town's recovery to preserve and share. The
Historical Society has been collecting stories, images and videos in the
voices of residents in two languages. The history will be shared with
the public in a book, an exhibit in the museum, and a portable "Fire
Remnants" exhibit.

fall 2022 | www.southernoregonmagazine.com 19