Oregon: Connecting Students to the World of Work

This fall, the Oregon Arts Commission (OAC) kicks off its new Connecting Students to the World of Work grant program. Through the program, OAC awards grants to organizations that introduce underserved students, grades 6–12, to the artistic and creative job market through internships, externships, mentorships, job shadowing and professionals in residence. The program builds on several of OAC’s priorities—reaching underserved communities, providing access to the arts and arts learning, and fostering the future creative class—by connecting students with successful arts professionals who model how to earn a living and make a life in the arts or the creative economy. To ensure these relationships are substantial, grant eligibility is limited to organizations that provide hands-on learning opportunities for students, contribute to students’ sequential learning, and strengthen connections between schools and cultural activities or creative industries. Grants range from $20,000 to $50,000 and have a one-to-one matching requirement. Find out more from OAC Arts Education Coordinator Deb Vaughn.