photo credit: Native Arts & Cultures Foundation
Large wall hanging, in two companion pieces, with an off-white background, with a quilted star, animal pelts and a red sweater.

Arts

The arts enrich our lives. That's why we provide artists and arts organizations in Oregon with financial support to help them thrive.

Why we fund the arts

We believe:
  • The arts connect us to each other in powerful and surprising ways.
  • The arts help us make sense of our world.
  • Every child's education should include learning about the arts and engagement with professional artists.
  • Supporting artists and arts organizations in every corner of our state makes Oregon a great place to live.
5 artists sitting and standing in front of a multi-colored wall mural; photo courtesy of Vibe of Portland

photo credit: Vibe of Portland

Activities we fund

Miller Foundation arts grants support those who put "art at the heart" of their work. We also fund other types of organizations that deliver ongoing arts or arts education programming. Together, we can help the arts play a key role in all our Oregon communities.

Performing Arts

We fund musical performance, theatrical productions, dance programs, and more.

African American woman jazz singer Esperanza Spaulding backlit with purple lighting singing into a microphone while seated at the piano.

photo credit: PDX Jazz / The performer is Esperanza Spaulding

photo by Literary Arts

photo credit: Literary Arts

Literary Arts

We fund author events, writers in the schools, storytelling programs, and more.

Visual Arts & Media Arts

We fund visual, media, and interdisciplinary arts programming. We also fund exhibits in public spaces where community members gather. Programs and exhibits can include work featuring Oregon artists as well as loaned or traveling art.

A woman painter standing on the beach in front of an unfinished canvas.

photo credit: Sitka Center

Solo artist wearing a black jumper working on a screen print in turquoise and brown

photo credit: Astoria Open Studios, Kirista Trask in-studio

Arts Service Organizations

We fund arts service organizations that support their local arts organizations. Services may include providing programs, tools, advocacy, and opportunities that help arts nonprofits and artists thrive, or that help communities connect with and learn about the arts.

Arts Education

We prioritize funding for arts education programs that specifically serve students who would otherwise not have access to arts education opportunities. These programs have strong public school partnerships, connect kids with professional teaching artists, offer culturally specific arts education, and offer sequential learning.

High school aged students in a school gym learning to play Taiko drums

photo credit: NAYA

Red and yellow hand-stitched quilt held by a hand with rings on it. Photo Credit Intisar Abioto.

photo credit: Architectural Heritage Center

Artists

The Miller Foundation has collaborated with the Oregon Community Foundation and the Oregon Arts Commission to fund individual artists. Specifically, we participated in funding the statewide Artist Relief Program and the Artist Resilience Program as part of our COVID-19 response efforts.

WHAT'S NEXT: In 2024, the Miller Foundation will begin providing grants directly to individual artists. Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed.

Get inspired by grantees

The Artback

Building community through the creation of public art

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Northwest Dance Project

Creating, Performing, Inspiring

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Grants Pass Museum of Art

Reclaimed Creations Exhibit

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Painted Sky Center for the Arts

Arts Education in Grant County

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Get the resources you need

You believe arts and education matter. So do we!

That's why our grant programs make it easy to connect arts and education organizations in Oregon with funding for their communities.

Our grant programs are fast and flexible.

Our typical turnaround time from inquiry to grant decision is about 4 months. For smaller organizations, your path to a a grant may be as short as 30 days!

Everyone benefits when funders work together.

We connect with other funders to support joint community efforts related to Arts and Education. We fund these activities through Initiatives.

 A carver in a blue plaid shirt, working on a paddle with a chevron pattern in black, cream and red; Photo courtesy of Native Arts and Cultures Foundation / Artist: Shirod Younker

photo credit: Native Arts and Cultures Foundation / artist: Shirod Younker