Central Oregon Center for the Arts | Update
Phase 2: Facility Modeling and Infrastructure Development Project
A set of studies called the Central Oregon Center for the Arts Facility Modeling and Infrastructure Development got underway in March and will end in December 2024.
The studies, commissioned by COCA’s Board of Directors, will advance the organizational infrastructure for COCA. The project will include guidance on site-selection criteria, program right-sizing and validation, early cost modeling and a reconciled plan that will make COCA ready to move into concept design where fundraising, program, costs, and sustainable business plan work in concert.
The Catalyst | The Why Behind COCA
Fast-Paced Regional Growth: The Central Oregon population has grown by more than 500% during the last 45 years. In a list of the 344 fastest-growing cities in the U.S., Bend ranked 50th, with a growth rate of 8% in the past five years, according to the financial company SmartAsset.
Economic Impact of the Arts: Nonprofit arts and culture added $47 million to the Central Oregon economy in 2022. Local and visiting audiences spent $19.2 million on cultural events, lodging, food and drink, transportation, and retail shopping. Employers and city and county leaders know that the arts are essential to creating vibrant places where employees want to live and work.
Lack of Venues: The dynamic pace of Central Oregon’s growth has outstripped the capacity and availability of the venues in the area. The lack of adequately sized venues limits the scope of local artists’ productions, the type and size of touring shows, exhibitions, and performances hosted locally.
2024-25 Bend Cultural Tourism Fund | Grant Awardees
The Central Oregon Center for the Arts is honored to be among the recipients of a grant from the Bend Cultural Tourism Fund, receiving $15,000 to support our facility modeling and infrastructure development project. Since 2021, the Bend Cultural Tourism Fund has played a crucial role in COCA’s research and development phases, providing over $47,000 in support. The COCA board and staff are deeply grateful for this ongoing partnership and the opportunity to enhance Bend’s economy through cultural tourism.
Since 2015, the Bend Cultural Tourism Fund has supported 115 amazing projects with over $2.3 million to make Bend even more vibrant and fun during the shoulder seasons and winter months.
