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.

Introducing the 2008/09 Board

Donald J. Caldwell, Chair
Kristi Lechner, Vice Chair; Education Chair
Chuck O’Leary, Treasurer; Fundraising Chair
Heather Chrisman, Past Chair
Lynn Hennagin
Paul Graham, Membership Chair
Rick Okamura
Ralph G. Tahran
Bonnie Schlieman, Chronicle Exhibition
Pat Vessely, Gallery Without Walls Chair

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!: A Hands-On Public Art Program for All Ages
Public Art Committee: Oversee Public Art Collection
Playwright Competition: Juried Selection of Play for Staged Reading
Arts-In-Education: Arts 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.

Education Committee The Education committee develops and implements projects that provide hands-on learning and experiences in the arts for people of all ages. Currently the committee is facilitating an Artist in Residency program with the Lake Oswego schools and conducting tours of the downtown public art collection.
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.