CCWC

Community Placemaking grant applications open Aug. 14, close Oct. 2

Metro, the Portland area regional government, is accepting applications beginning Aug. 14 through Oct. 2.

ABOUT
**Community Placemaking grants support arts and culture based, community-led, equity-centered efforts that strengthen people’s connections to each other and places they care about. Up to $450,000 in grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 will be awarded for the 2027 cycle. No matching funds are required.

LEARN MORE **www.oregonmetro.gov/placemaking
!! or contact the grant manager at [email protected].

Strong proposals are grounded in racial equity and address a critical community challenge or opportunity.

**Get started by reading the application handbook and looking over past recipients to understand the range of efforts supported. Staff are available to help you think through your proposal and get ready to submit a strong application.

Learn more and ask questions at an upcoming virtual info session. If you are unable to attend, a recorded session will be posted on the how to apply page in late August.

Information sessions on ZOOM

*Thursday, August 20, 12-1 p.m.
*Thursday, August 20, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
*Wednesday, September 9, 4-5 p.m.
*Thursday, September 10, 12-1 p.m

REMINDER!
🎨 2027 CCWC GRANTS OPEN AUGUST 24!

Have an arts, culture, heritage, or humanities program or event happening in Washington County, Oregon?

The Cultural Coalition of Washington County (CCWC) will accept applications for its 2027 grant cycle beginning Monday, August 24, 2026.

📅 Applications Open: August 24
⏰ Deadline: Friday, October 2 at 11:59 p.m. PT

Through our partnership with the Oregon Cultural Trust, CCWC provides funding to support programs and events that strengthen arts, culture, heritage, and humanities throughout Washington County.

Interested in applying? Review eligibility requirements, grant details, and application instructions:

👉 https://www.ccwashco.org/grant-program/

Help us spread the word! Share this opportunity with organizations, artists, educators, and cultural partners doing great work in Washington County.

MEET THE HILLSBORO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA…
… whose mission is to provide a family-friendly musical experience for all audience members through entertainment, education and cultural opportunities, while providing orchestra members a positive creative outlet for their personal growth.

Learn more: https://hillsborosymphony.org/

MEET WORKING THEORY FARM…
… whose mission is to be stewards of land, culture, and youth experience.

*We empower youth through the shared work of farming, mentorship, and creative collaboration to nourish our community and cultivate belonging.

*We grow food for distribution through partners like Centro Cultural, feeding primarily Latinx, low-income, and migrant families in Washington County.

*On our regenerative, no-till farm, youth learn to care for land and for one another as they navigate barriers like incarceration, housing instability, and systemic inequity.

*We see farming as one of the highest forms of culture—a living practice of reciprocity, creativity, and intergenerational learning that connects us to place, to memory, and to each other.

Learn more: https://workingtheoryfarm.org/

MEET THE WESTSIDE QUILTERS GUILD…
…whose mission is to come together in the spirit of community and friendship for the purpose of preserving and perpetuating the many facets and dimensions of the art of quilting, through education, works of charity, community awareness, and the sharing of ideas and information.

Learn more: https://westsidequiltersguild.com/

Founded in 2007, Westside Quilters Guild (WQG) has grown to more than 200 members. We welcome visitors and members of all ages and from all walks of life.

*The guild’s tenets are Charity, Education, Expression, and Community. Members have made and donated thousands of quilts to local, national, and international causes.
*WQG has created quilt-related exhibits and displays for museums, galleries, theaters, and a variety of public events. Free education events are held regularly for elementary and high school students and adults, as well as quilting classes and lectures to Adelante Mujeres and their Chicas group.
*The Quilt Barn Trail of Tualatin Valley encompasses 60 large painted wooden quilt blocks on buildings throughout Washington County, providing public enjoyment and promoting the intersection of Oregon's agriculture and quilting heritage.
*WQG participates in area events as volunteers and exhibitors and the Quilt Show is our way of showcasing all of our efforts within the community.

MEET WESTSIDE SINGERS…
… Entertaining, uplifting, and enriching our community through engaging choral performances — while nurturing joy and connection for our singers.

Learn more: https://www.westsidesingers.org/

AWARDED PROJECT - Music That Matters: Supporting Causes and Sparking Memories

We will provide pro bono performances for fundraisers hosted by nonprofit organizations that strengthen community well-being, and present free or low-cost concerts at retirement communities to expand seniors’ access to live music.

*Direct Benefit: 6 community partners will receive high-quality live music — fundraising galas at no cost (pro bono) and retirement/memory care concerts either pro bono or subsidized — valued at an average of $500 per event.
*Audience Reach: Hundreds of residents, donors, and community members across Washington County will be served.
*Equity Focus: All participating nonprofits and retirement/memory care communities will be organizations that expand opportunities for underserved populations.
*Cultural Capacity: Westside Singers will strengthen our role as a civic and cultural asset, forging partnerships that may lead to future collaborations.

MEET THE WESTSIDE COMMUNITY & YOUTH ORCHESTRA…
…whose mission is to provide high quality performances as an orchestra for our community, while cultivating the artistic growth and excellence of both youth and adult members through enriching orchestral experiences and mentoring among WCYO musicians.

Learn more: https://www.wcyo.org/

AWARDED PROJECT - Summer Strings "Plus" Workshop 2026
WCYO will expand its open summer gathering of string players to create a "pre-concert" concept. A core of string players will work through the summer, joined by wind, brass, and percussion players to hold an informal concert at the end of the summer.

*WCYO has, for over 15 years, provided a non-competitive opportunity for musicians, especially student musicians in middle or high school, to practice and perform orchestral music at no cost. As school districts have trimmed or removed their orchestra programs and string instrument teaching, students need external opportunities to work on ensemble a performance skills. Summertime is also a challenging time for some students in other ensembles, without concerts and rehearsals to keep skills sharp.

*WCYO began informal string ensemble sessions a few years ago, and now we would like to add a modest amount of formality to the program. This will entail active recruitment of students through contact with school and private teachers, more challenging music, and a simple in-house performance recital at the end of the summer for friends, family, and invitees…..

MEET VAMOS YOUTH PROGRAMS…
… whose mission is to empower youth by providing opportunities to develop skills in art, technology, sports, leadership, and social interaction, fostering their personal and professional success.

Vamos Youth Programs was founded in Washington County, Oregon, with the vision of creating equal opportunities for young people from all backgrounds to explore their potential through art, technology, leadership, and sports. What began as a small community initiative to engage Latino youth has grown into an inclusive, countywide program that empowers participants to build confidence, creativity, and a sense of belonging.

MEET THE VALLEY ART ASSOCIATION & GALLERY…
… whose mission is to be a bridge between artists and the community by supporting and encouraging artists at every stage through exhibitions, gallery sales, special events and, classes.

Learn more: http://valleyart.org/

AWARDED PROJECT - Tile by Tile: 60 years of Community Creation
*To celebrate our 60th year, Valley Art Association, an Oregon nonprofit, will launch a community clay project, titled "Tile by Tile: 60 years of Community Creation" a participatory art project engaging people of all ages and backgrounds.
*This project honors Valley Art’s roots. In 1966, twelve local potters gathered to celebrate each other’s creativity and dedication to their craft, with a vision to promote pottery and the arts within the community. Their pioneering spirit led to the founding of our nonprofit and the eventual purchase of our gallery’s brick-and-mortar home.
*By engaging people of all ages in making tiles, we continue this legacy by returning to its clay-centric roots and fostering community-centered art. Over several months, community members will be invited to create small clay tiles—featuring handprints, initials, or simple patterns—that will be fired, glazed and assembled into a permanent mural displayed at the gallery, either indoors or outdoors. This project not only fosters creative expression but also builds lasting connections by allowing individuals to leave a tangible mark on the gallery’s history.

8Tied to our “60 for 60” campaign, we aim to produce 60 tiles per month in honor of Valley Art’s 60th anniversary in 2026. The initiative will also serve as a fundraiser, with opportunities for participants to purchase or sponsor tiles through $60 donations, matched by community challenges.
*The completed mural will stand as a lasting symbol of community support, creativity, and collective (collaborative) ownership of Valley Art’s mission for generations to come.

MEET THE TUALITAN VALLEY HARMONY MASTERS…
The Tualatin Valley Harmony Masters (TVHM) is a member chorus of the Barbershop Harmony Society. The mission of the Barbershop Harmony Society is to bring people together in harmony and fellowship to enrich lives through singing.

Learn more: https://www.tualatinvalley.com/

AWARDED PROJECT - Seeds of Harmony - Grow and Expand Barbershop Singing in Washington County

Ballad Town Harmony wants to share the love of barbershop singing with our neighbors by growing our chorus, increasing opportunities for our chorus and quartets to perform, expanding our online presence, and adding modern songs to our repertoire.

*Public Awareness and Participation: Ballad Town Harmony's Seeds of Harmony project will develop audiences for barbershop singing by performing more and, by adding new members to our chorus, build community through song.
*Increase Public Art and Performance Opportunities: Ballad Town Harmony's Seeds of Harmony project will enable our chorus to perform more frequently for a wider range of diverse groups, and our increased online presence will bring barbershop harmony singing to a broader audience.
*Support Diverse Cultural and Heritage Activities: Ballad Town Harmony will continue to share the rich history of barbershop singing in Forest Grove, OR - "Ballad Town, U.S.A." through increased performances.
*Increasing Access to Arts Education: Ballad Town Harmony is forming a relationship with several Homeschool communities in Washington County and plans to create workshops on Barbershop singing for them.