Grants and Awards

 

CCPA Receives Grant from Fidelity Charitable / Salerno Charitable Fund

The Board of Directors and the staff of the Community Center for the Performing Arts (CCPA) wish to thank Leah and Jeff Salerno.  Upon their recommendation, the CCPA received a generous donation of $500 from Fidelity Charitable.   This Fidelity Charitable grant is made possible through the generosity and recommendation of the Salerno Charitable Fund, a donor-advised fund.

This grant came as a total surprise to the staff and board!  Most grants are competitive and require a long preparation process.  This came out of the blue, and is designated for, “where it’s needed most.”

As a nonprofit arts organization, the CCPA depends upon donations from businesses and individuals to host diverse performances and educational events for all ages while preserving the historic WOW Hall.  CCPA Sponsors are recognized in the WOW Hall lobby, in the WOW Hall Notes and on our website at www.wowhall.org.

Thanks again to Jeff and Leah for helping out the WOW Hall!

Community Center for the Performing Arts/WOW Hall Receives Restoration Funding from The Oregon Community Foundation

The Community Center for the Performing Arts has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Fred W. Fields Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation to fund interior historic restoration of the Woodmen of the World Hall.  The grant will match funding from the Oregon Cultural Trust, the Kinsman Foundation and Levi Strauss Co. to enable continuation of the restoration of the historic building fabric in the public areas of the landmark building.  Representatives of the Oregon Community Foundation will present the award at the CCPA’s Annual Membership Party on Saturday December 6.

The Community Center for the Performing Arts operates the historic W.O.W. Hall at 8th and Lincoln, a City of Eugene Landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The organization’s mission is:  Providing cultural arts and educational opportunities for all ages and income levels, preserving and operating the historic Woodmen of the World Hall as a multipurpose community arts center, and maintaining a supportive environment for local artists and their creative efforts.

The mission of the Oregon Community Foundation is to improve life in Oregon and promote effective philanthropy.  OCF works with individuals, families, businesses and organizations to create charitable funds to support the community causes they care about.  Through these the OCF funds nearly $70 million annually in grants and scholarships.

The Oregon Community Foundation makes grants available through an application process that involves local citizens in the review and evaluation of requests for funds.  Application materials are available through the foundation’s Portland office.  Individuals and businesses interested in establishing a fund may contact the Eugene office at 440 East Broadway, Suite 160, Eugene OR 97401, 541-431-7009 or visit www.oregoncf.org.

 For more project information or to join in supporting the restoration of the Woodmen of the World Hall, contact Jonathan Pincus at 541-912-5721, 541-687-2746, or jpincus24@gmail.com. Visit www. wowhall.org for information on the Community Center for the Performing Arts including membership and upcoming events.

 

CCPA-W.O.W Hall Receives Restoration Grant from the Oregon Community Foundation

Oregon Community Foundation Representatives Will Present a $10,000.00 Check at the CCPA Membership Party

The Oregon Community Foundation has awarded a $10,000.00 grant to the Community Center for the Performing Arts to assist in completing the Woodmen of the World Hall Interior Historic Restoration Project. This generous grant will match awards previously received from the Oregon Cultural Trust, the Kinsman Foundation and Levi Straus Co. in support of the building-wide interior restoration project. The receipt of these funds will enable the CCPA to move toward completion of the restoration of the historic fabric in the public areas of the Woodmen of the World Hall.  Representatives of the Oregon Community Foundation will be on hand to present the award check at this year’s CCPA Membership Party. The foundation representatives will speak to the membership about the CCPA and the work of the Oregon Community Foundation making this year’s party an especially exciting and important occasion.

 To date the project has enabled completion of the restoration of the built-in pews, wainscot, original band-stand, picture rails and wooden trim in the Main Hall. Substantial progress has been made on the restoration of the wall finishes in the main hall as well. During the next phase of the project the Main Hall finishes restoration will be completed as well as restoration of the lobby floors, wall and wood finishes throughout the public areas of the building. Additionally historic lighting glass will be repaired or restored throughout the building along with the restoration of currently missing mid-level lighting sconces in the Main Hall. It is hoped that sufficient additional contributions from CCPA members and from the community will enable a restoration of the entry wood set finishes to cap off the interior restoration project.  

This project was preceded by an exterior restoration project funded by an Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Heritage Programs, Preserving Oregon grant and a pilot interior restoration project funded by the Kinsman Foundation.  During the pilot interior restoration project special techniques for the restoration of the Main Hall pews were developed by craftsman Pete Lavelle and Saylor Painting Co.  The current interior restoration project is being coordinated by Jonathan Pincus, M-Arch and former CCPA staff member Katy Vizdal, currently with the Lane Arts Council.  The full restoration of the Main Hall pews has been conducted by Pete Lavelle and Saylor Painting Co.  Interior wall finishes restoration is being coordinated by CCPA staff member and finishes professional Shawn Lynch. The project has received many hours of assistance from CCPA staff and volunteers and from volunteers from the ranks of Levi Strauss employees. CCPA Board Chair Aaron Dietrich has assisted with volunteer coordination. Volunteers will play a key role in the completion of the project.

Other restoration projects are also in progress including the restoration of the original historic streetlamps and historic landscape that once framed the W.O.W, Hall. The streetlamp project is being conducted in partnership with the Eugene Historic Review Board and the Downtown Neighborhood Association. The railing for the exterior basement staircase will also be restored to cap off one of the last details of the exterior historic restoration. Those wishing to donate to any of the restoration projects are encouraged to contact Jonathan Pincus at jpincus24@gmail.com or the W.O.W Hall at 541-687-2747.

 

The Community Center for the Performing Arts Receives Grant From the Kinsman Foundation for Interior Historic Restoration of the Woodmen of the World Hall

     

The Community Center for the Performing Arts is pleased to announce the receipt of a $5,000 grant from the Kinsman Foundation to continue the restoration of the interior of the historic Woodmen of the World Hall.  This funding will enable the CCPA to continue restoration work that began in a pilot project launched two years ago with the assistance of the Kinsman Foundation.  The project will repair and restore the publicly visible areas of the Woodmen of the World Hall to their original historic character.  The Woodmen of the World Hall is one of the few historic buildings in the Eugene area that is primarily intact on its interior as well as its exterior. Through its designation the interior historic fabric of the W.O.W. Hall is protected as well as its exterior. 

Community Impact:

The Woodmen of the World Hall has been an iconic landmark in Eugene since its construction in 1932.  The completion of this project will enable visitors of the W.O.W. Hall to experience an authentic historic environment of the early/mid 20th century.  The Interior Historic Restoration Project includes the restoration of Main Hall woodwork, lighting and details; foyer and lobby floors, lighting and details; and finishes and details throughout the building.  Main Hall restoration work began in mid December is continuing over the holiday break. Other portions of the work will happen throughout the winter and spring of 2014.  

The Interior Historic Restoration of the Woodmen of the World Hall will be accomplished with grant support from the Kinsman Foundation, Oregon Cultural Trust, and community support through a capital fund drive.  The awards from the Kinsman Foundation and Oregon Cultural Trust for this project have generated a great deal of excitement among CCPA’s board, staff, members and volunteers.

This May, during Historic Preservation Month, the Community Center for the Performing Arts will explore important themes of this historic period in an annual exhibit about the history of the Woodmen of the World Hall.  This exhibit is supported by a grant from the Lane County Cultural Coalition.

For more information on the Woodmen of the World Hall Interior Historic Restoration Project and how to contribute or assist, please contact Jonathan Pincus, jpincus24@gmail.com, 541-912-4721 or Katy Vizdal at assistant@wowhall.org, 541-687-2746.

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The Community Center for the Performing Arts awarded grant to raise awareness of All-Ages Educational  Programming! 

The CCPA was awarded a $2,500 Cultural Opportunity Grant from the Lane County Cultural Coalition in support of an education awareness campaign to bring community awareness to the CCPA’s current all ages Education Program. The campaign aims to increase class enrollment and expand the CCPA’s educational curriculum.  

The Lane County Cultural Coalition awarded $28,778.80 to 16 cultural projects in Lane County through their second round of 2013 Cultural Opportunity Grants.
 

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The Community Center for the Performing Arts Receives a $7,000 Grant From the Oregon Cultural Trust for Interior Historic Restoration.

The Community Center for the Performing Arts is very pleased to announce their receipt of an award of $7,000 from the Oregon Cultural Trust for continuing the restoration of the interior of the historic Woodmen of the World Hall.  This funding will enable the CCPA to continue the work begun in a pilot project launched 2 years ago with the assistance of the Kinsman Foundation.  The project will repair and restore the publicly visible areas of the W.O.W. Hall to their original character.  The Woodmen of the World Hall is one of the few historic buildings in the Eugene area that is primarily intact on its interior as well as its exterior. In recognition of the building’s high integrity of historic fabric, the building was listed on the National Registrar of Historic Places and the City of Eugene’s list of historic landmarks in 1996.  Through its designation the interior historic fabric of the W.O.W. Hall is protected as well as its exterior.  The completion of this project will enable visitors of the W.O.W. Hall to experience an authentic historic environment of the early/mid 20th century.  It is hoped that this will provide a connection to the important historic themes of the period.  These themes will be explored in an annual exhibit about the history of the Woodmen of the World Hall.  The materials for this exhibit will be produced with the assistance of a recently awarded grant from the Lane County Cultural Coalition.  In order to accomplish the full project the CCPA will launch a Capital Fund Drive to match and exceed the contribution of the Oregon Cultural Trust.  The CCPA’s board, staff and volunteers are very excited about the award from the Oregon Cultural Trust and the project.  As we conduct our Capital Fund Drive we will be reminding the public that this project is supported in part by a grant from the Oregon Cultural Trust: Oregonians sustaining, developing and participating in our arts, heritage and humanities.

For more information on this year’s Oregon Cultural Trust awards please see the accompanying press release.  For more information on the W.O.W. Hall interior restoration project and how to contribute or assist, please contact Jonathan Pincus, jpincus24@gmail.com, 541-912-4721 or Katy Vizdal at assistant@wowhall.org, 541-687-2746.

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The Community Center for the Performing Arts Receives Lane Cultural Coalition Grant for Historical Exhibit!

The Community Center for the Performing Arts  is proud to announce that the Lane County Cultural Coalition has awarded the organization a Cultural Opportunity Grant for The Woodmen of the World: Their History and Their Hall in the amount of $1500.

The Woodmen of the World fraternal organization formed in Omaha, Nebraska in 1880 and soon swept the western states.  The Eugene chapter provided health benefits, life insurance, and burial costs while undertaking charitable and recreational activities for children and adults.  Women participated through a sister organization, the Women of Woodcraft.

In 1906 the Woodmen bought the Presbyterian church at 8th and Lincoln and renamed it Woodmen of the World Hall.  The present building was constructed in 1931, during the Great Depression, and was , according to the Eugene Morning Register, the most expensive building constructed that year at a value of $8000 and considered “modern in every detail.”  The very best of craftsmanship and material were used.  Of particular note was the beautiful hardrock maple ‘floating’ dance floor designed especially for square and ballroom dancing.  Dances were held every Saturday night.  In 1996 the building was officially designated a historic landmark by the National Register of Historic Places.

The Lane County Cultural Coalition received more requests than could be filled: forty-three proposals were received, requesting over $58,000; fifteen proposals were funded for a total of $26,897.  This grant was made possible by the Oregon Cultural Trust.

There will be an Awards Ceremony on Thursday, June 6, at 4:00 pm at the WOW Hall where all of the grant recipients will be presented with their grant checks.  This event is free and the public is invited to attend.  The WOW Hall is currently owned and operated by the nonprofit (501c3) Community Center for the Performing Arts as a multipurpose community arts center.  The Lobby Art Gallery features a different local/regional art display each month and is open to the public during office hours, noon to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday.  For more information please call 687-2746.

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Thank You Levi Strauss

The Community Center for the Perfrming Arts wishes to thank and recognize Levi Strauss & Co for the donation of a $1000 grant in honor of Community Involvement Day.  Each year Levi Strauss & Co gives both financial and physical support of local nonprofits.  On March 14 the company hosted a Community Involvement Fair and invited nonproft organizations to send representatives to make a pitch to Levi’s employees about their organization and its needs.  Volunteer Coordinator Laura Farrelly attended on behalf of the WOW Hall and presented as a project the rebuilding of the WOW Hall stage.  The project was conceived by Assistant Stage Manager Jason “Jay” Schroeder.  
  On March 14, Levi’s employees reviewed the project ideas of app. 25 organizations and the WOW Hall was one of those chosen.  The Levi’s workers voted  by agreeing to donate time and labor to the organization of their choice while the company contributed a cash award. Jay served as the project manager with assistance from Stage Manager Selena France and Program Manager Calyn Kelly.  On Monday and Tuesday, May 6 and 7, the stage and cleared with the assistance of several volunteers.  
  On Wednesday, May 8, Levi’s volunteers showed up in two shifts.  Volunteering on the morning shift were Amy Donaghey, Pete Danielson, Venjamin Kristev, Ann Krutsinger, Dorotka Obara, Tom Patchin and Cindy Quinones.  Volunteering on the afternoon shift were Patty Burnette, Eric Champion, Jennifer Ebert, Katie Eley, Christine Gilbert, Wendi Hilgandorf, Taryn Plank and Mike Stapleton.  
  Thank you to all of the Levi’s volunteers and and to Brian, Bruce Hartnell, Dan Wathan, Eli, Jacqueline Hamer, James Green, Rodney Berlik, Sebastian, Tom, Tyler Kennedy (and anyone we left out) for their help on the project.  Thank you to COZMIC for donating food for the volunteers. Thanks to the efforts of the volunteers and staff, the speakers have been moved off the stage and secured in new wooden cabinettes on the floor, the old rug covering has been replaced by wooden paneling, and the entire “monitor world” is more efficiently reorganized.  Combined with the new LED stage lighting, the WOW Hall will now present an entiely new audio and visual concert experience for both the performers and the audience.