The Bend Cultural Tourism Fund (BCTF), a grant program dedicated to enhancing the local economy and cultivating the city’s cultural tourism attractions, was approved by voters in November 2013. The measure increased the Bend lodging tax rate from 9 percent to 10.4 percent by June 1, 2015. Visit Bend funds the BCTF with 7.5 percent of Visit Bend’s total annual public funding received from the City of Bend.
More than $100,000 annually was expected to be generated from the additional revenue establishing a cultural tourism fund providing grants for Bend’s arts organizations. The latest estimate, however, is that BTCF will have about $104,400 to grant for FY 15, which exceeds the budget of $85,000 by +$19,400 (+22.8 percent).
Tourism data through September 2014 confirms a third consecutive record year for Bend’s tourism industry. Citywide lodging occupancy was up considerably in July and August, but similar to the last two years in September. The bigger story perhaps is the lodging revenue.
Average daily rate (ADR) was up 10-11 percent in July and August. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) was up 16-17 percent in July and August. These are significant increases, especially considering they are following a record year.
According to Doug La Placa of Visit Bend this data, especially the revenue metrics, reflects surging demand for our destination. “This is very positive news for the health of our tourism industry. Now, the goal is to continue the momentum through the shoulder seasons and winter months. We have our work cut-out for us.”
Collection of grant applications for the BCTF funds is underway and the BCTF commissioner will begin their review on April 8 with awards distributed around July 1.
Some of the proposals, which must prove their ability to attract tourists to Bend during the off season, include:
1. Atelier 6000 — a two‐month exhibit of original prints by famed photographer Edward Curtis in fall of 2015. This exhibit is remarkable for its size and rarity, and its appeal to a variety of audiences. A6 is working with several cultural partners to enrich this exhibit.
2. Backyard Farm Tour — a self guided tour of the Local Food Movement. For Tourists this could be a unique way to see our area, and maybe even see where food for restaurants they may be eating at is produced.
3. Bend WebCAM — a web, social media, creative & marketing conference, a 2‐day event attracting attendees from throughout Oregon, up and down the West Coast and beyond.
4. BendFilm, Inc. — celebrates the brave voice of independent cinema through films, lectures and education. They are seeking funds to help us move continually toward that vision.
5. Crow’s Feet Commons — has been establishing a cultural and musical epicenter for downtown Bend. With monthly musical performances, and art showings, they gather a broad spectrum of population for various reasons.
6. Deschutes County Historical Society — seeks funding for Winter Comes: Oregon’s Nordic Ski History, a major exhibit on the history of Nordic skiing in Oregon.
7. Deschutes Public Library Foundation — is seeking funds to assist with the promotion and marketing of the Author! Author! literary event with author Timothy Egan to discuss his book on photographer Edward Curtis.
8. Event Theory — The NW Spirits Show is the largest distillery expo on the east side of the Cascades. It is an engaging community event that draws more than 40 participating distilleries from the Northwest and nationwide.
9. High Desert Museum — two new exhibits with complementary events and programs. Tough by Nature features the work of Eugene artist Lynda Lanker, who spent 19 years traveling throughout the West capturing images and stories representing the role of ranch women in the economy and ecology of the West.
10. ScaleHouse — given Bend’s burgeoning culture offerings, increased number of entrepreneurs moving to the area, and the community’s thirst for more conversation around design, ScaleHouse is creating Bend Design Week, which will include workshops/networking gatherings with respected design enthusiasts from the West Coast spanning all disciplines of design (tech inventions, interior, graphic, interactive, product, and research) and target all craftspeople in the Pacific Northwest.
11. Stage Right Productions — and 2nd Street Theater have been selected by the American Association of Community Theatres as one of seven theaters in the U.S. to premier one of seven winning plays during AACT’s 2016 NewPlayFest. SRP seeks grant money in support of expanded statewide and regional promotion of this event and to assist with author, national and regional AACT VIP attendance.
12. TEDxBend — an arts and cultural event that happens right here in Bend, Oregon. Its primary goal for 2016 is to build a Portland audience.
13. Tower Theatre Foundation — in association with local vocal music leaders, is planning to launch a 3 day A Cappella Festival in 2016. The purpose will be to bring together performers, educators, and enthusiasts from across the NW and Northern CA to enjoy and showcase vocal music.
14. Jaren Smith — a film documenting two local creative forces (wilderness and Helg, or TBD) traveling across our country on a road less traveled (US2 comes to mind) showcasing what it is we offer, and how alive the culture and arts are here, as well as in less traveled parts of our country.
15. The Workhouse — with over 40 working artists currently making the Ironworks their home, they aim to become a relevant center for local arts and culture.
16. Ellen Waterston — Via Lactea is a modern two-‐act opera based on the verse novel of the same name, subtitled A Woman of a Certain Age Walks the Camino, written by Ellen Waterston about her pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago in Spain. This new project will ultimately produce a libretto adapted from Waterston’s verse novel.
• Mackenzie Wilson — Creating compelling videos showcasing arts/culture-‐focused activities in Bend to use for promotion of the area in the shoulder season and to attract return visitors to the area for years to come.
17. World Muse — Each year the conference features artists, activists, and visionary leaders who are creating positive social change both locally and globally. Our event includes art exhibits, live performances, panel discussions, keynote talks, receptions, and breakout workshops.
Final grants applications are due March 31, 2015. For more information: www.visitbend.co
