Art covers the walls as the Salem Art Association prepares for the opening of its annual Young Artists Showcase on March 7, 2020 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)
A Salem comedian, poet, conductor and painter are among the Oregon artists receiving pandemic relief money through the Oregon Arts Commission.
Seventeen Marion and Polk county artists were selected for grants between $1,000 and $5,000 through the Artist Relief Program, which was created to replace income professional artists have lost in the past year because of canceled exhibits, rehearsals, teaching opportunities and performances. Thirteen Marion County artists received $24,100 in relief, and four Polk County artists received a total of $4,000.
They’re among 640 Oregon artists statewide who received a total of $1.25 million through the program, according to a news release from the arts commission. They were selected from 1,158 applicants statewide, with winners chosen by a commission.
Funding for the program was provided by the Oregon Community Foundation and the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation.
A complete list of artists receiving grants is available on the arts commission website.
