Who We Are

The Arts Council of Lake Oswego, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, was created in 1999 to ensure the arts will continue to be an integral part of life in our community. The Arts Council was initiated by members of The Lake Oswego Arts Commission, a City Commission, to promote philanthropic support of the arts in the City. Organizational goals include:

Develop philanthropic funding and methods of distribution that will benefit locals arts programs, expand civic arts acquisitions, and further community arts exhibitions.
Advance arts education as a means to promote lifelong enjoyment of the arts for all citizens of Lake Oswego.
Work to raise the level of appreciation and understanding of all arts forms by people of all ages.
Increase opportunities for participation in the performing, visual and literary arts.
Promote the placement and preservation of public art in Lake Oswego.
Convoke advocates of the many arts and support their endeavors.

The 2010/11 Board

Shari Newman, Chair
Pat Vessely, Vice Chair
Rick Okamura, Treasurer
Bob Liddell
Kristi Lechner
Chuck O’Leary
Lynn Hennagin
Sara Ogle Lea
Bonnie Schlieman
Kirk W. Smith
Carol Winston

Staff

Cheryl Brock, Executive Director
Susan Bitzer, Program Manager

Our Programs

Gallery Without Walls: Outdoor Sculpture on the Streets
The Annual People’s Choice Award: Public Vote for Outdoor Sculpture
The Chronicle Invitational Exhibition: An exhibition chronicling the life and times of Lake Oswego
Docent Led Public and Educational Tours: Free Tours of Gallery Without Walls Sculpture
Follow Your Art!: Celebration of new outdoor sculpture in the rotating Gallery Without Walls, Thursday, August 26, 2010, Millennium Plaza Park
Public Art Committee: Oversee Public Art Collection
Arts-In-Education: Art Literacy Program in Elementary Schools

Volunteer Opportunities

The Arts Council of Lake Oswego is looking for volunteers who have a passion and commitment to the arts of Lake Oswego. Work with artists and community members to bring the creative arts to people of all ages in the community. Use your talents, learn new skills, discover and explore areas in the arts that interest you.

Sculpture Tour Guides: Lead tours of the sculpture throughout downtown Lake Oswego. Its easy to learn how – and a fun way to share your love of art with others.

Follow Your Art! Celebration: Bring your enthusiasm for event management and youth art activities to this fun and vibrant committee.

Gallery Without Walls Selection Committee: This committee reviews artists and selects sculptures for the city streets of Lake Oswego on an on-loan, rotating basis. Volunteers also help in the placement and promotion of these public sculptures. See the results of your efforts every time you are on the streets of our community.

The Chronicle Committee: Are you knowledgeable about art and committed to the growth of the Lake Oswego Public Art Collection? Do you enjoy viewing art, handling art, and meeting artists? Then this is the committee for you. Each year this committee invites over 40 artists to create work that chronicles life in the Northwest. These works are exhibited at the Lakewood Festival for the Arts, and one or more is chosen for the City of Lake Oswego permanent collection. Volunteers are also needed to install, staff and dismantle the exhibit in late June.

Marketing and Fund Development: Put your skills to work and help the arts grow in our community. Writing new releases or overseeing the promotion of an exhibit or event are just a few of the activities involved in these important areas of our organization.

Administrative Support: The Arts Council needs individuals to help with mailings, set up at events, and general office support-type duties. If you are interested in attending meetings of the various committees and taking minutes, we could use that help as well. Computer skills are a plus! Help out, plus learn more about what it takes to bring the arts to life in our community.

If you are interested in lending your support, please call Cheryl Brock at (503) 675-3738 or e-mail her. Click here for a volunteer application you can print out.