A New Beginning for the Arts Council

It is with much sadness that I write this letter to inform you that these hard economic times have taken their toll on the Arts Council of Southern Oregon. Our financial condition has forced us to implement a reduced operating mode beginning the end of April. As of the end of April, we will lay off Lyn Godsey, our executive director, who has served the Arts Council with much dedication, skill and loyalty for the past 13 years, both as director and as arts education coordinator. We will lay off Kate Jack, our arts education coordinator, at the end of June. Prior to leaving, she will complete our current Artist in the Schools residencies and the Lithia Springs Program, currently funded through June. Kate has been a valuable asset to the Arts Council during her three-year tenure, contributing her extensive skills as an artist and as a teacher.


As a result, our Artists in the Schools Residency Program will have to be suspended for the time being. It is our hope to bring the arts to the communities’ students in a more efficient, and cost effective way.


The Board of Directors is already working to use this painful situation as an opportunity to take a fresh look at the most useful role(s) for the Arts Council in Jackson and Josephine counties and models for adequately funding the organization and its programs. We are committed to our mission of promoting all the arts in our two counties. Currently, we are working with a consultant to formulate a strategic plan, and are taking time to gather information from schools, local arts organizations and arts advocates, as well as from the other eight arts councils in Oregon. Our goal is to support making all the arts a vital part of everyone's lives in southern Oregon, while remaining financially sound.


We know that this news is disappointing to you, as it is to us. We will keep you informed about our process and decisions through periodic newsletters. We plan to remain in our office and to retain our phone number at least through June, and will keep you informed of any changes after that.


If you have questions or input that you would like to give us as we look at options for the future, please call us there at 541-779-2820.


We look forward to continuing to find new ways to bring the arts to children and adults in southern Oregon .


Julie MacDiarmid
President, Board of Directors

Please see our newsletter for the full story on the restructure of the Arts Council of Southern Oregon