The Central Oregon Visitors Association (COVA) and Arts Central announce the launch this summer of Cultural Byways (of Central Oregon), a regional collaborative arts and culture marketing project.
Strategic partners include the four regional Cultural Coalitions of the Oregon Cultural Trust, Scenic Byways, COVA and Arts Central. Arts Central, on behalf of the collaborative, has received a $6,000 grant from the Oregon Arts Commission to launch Cultural Byways. Funds support the project collateral and web content development.
COVA has pledged to match $5,000 in marketing support. The Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook and Warm Springs Cultural Coalitions have pledged to contribute a total $3,800 to the project.
“A collaboration by these agencies and entities is unprecedented and we at Arts Central are honored to help coordinate a project that was the brainchild of the region’s Cultural Coalitions” says Arts Central Executive Director Cate O’Hagan.
For the first time a comprehensive regional cultural tourism project will capture and distribute information about arts organizations, art projects and events, public art, history museums, libraries, significant historic buildings and the like. The primary goal is to package regional cultural offerings for use by the Central Oregon Visitors Association (COVA), other tourism promotion agencies, chambers of commerce, Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO), and Travel Oregon. Cultural Byways conceptually knits together the center part of the state from an arts and culture perspective and conceptually parallels Scenic Byways.
According to Alana Hughson, president & CEO, Central Oregon Visitors Association, “The Cultural Byways project is an avenue for COVA to partner with the region’s arts and culture organizations for mutual marketing reach. The addition of the Cultural Byways program will aid in enhancing the overall visitor experience and the project lends itself to the viability of our region as a multi-faceted destination for the cultural traveler as well as outdoor enthusiasts. The Cultural Byways project is a perfect complement to the Scenic Byways program that we endorse.”
Robin Gyorgyfalvy, the Scenic Byways program leader for the Deschutes National Forest states “Cultural Byways is a brilliant vehicle for connecting visitors to Central Oregon communities and culture. By anticipating and fulfilling visitor needs, this powerful cultural tourism tool will be a regional asset that perfectly complements the Oregon Scenic Byways Program.”
“Quality of life is an important component in our business recruiting and (EDCO) welcomes this project as a way to help convey that message,” says Ruth Lindley, marketing manager for the region’s economic development agency.
For more information about the project, contact Arts Central, 541-749-2291.
