The Bend Cultural Tourism Commission has launched its on line grant application for Cultural Tourism grants. There is an option to provide an “intent to apply” form by January 15, 2015 with full applications due March 31, 2015. 

 

Guidelines and instructions for both are available at http://visitbend.culturegrants.org The Commission anticipates making awards in late spring, with over $125,000 available to support activities occurring after July 1, 2015.

 
The Bend Cultural Tourism Fund (BCTF) is a grant program dedicated to enhancing the local economy through the promotion and cultivation of Bend’s cultural tourism programs. The intent is to help attract cultural tourists during the shoulder seasons and winter months, when cultural tourism organizations are most active.  

 
Doug La Placa of Visit Bend reminds applicants that the grant funds can be used for any program that fits within the state’s legal definition of “tourism promotion.” “I challenge all arts organizations to become experts on this definition, to be creative in interpreting the definition, and to push the envelope on what kind of proposals can fit within the definition,” said LaPlaca.

 

“Everything is in place, including the money. Now the BCTF just needs quality grant applications to get the dollars flowing to the arts world.”

 

Some key points of the state’s definition of Transient Lodging Taxes explain tourism as an economic activity resulting from tourists and tourism promotion means any of the following activities:
      (a) Advertising, publicizing or distributing information for the purpose of attracting and welcoming tourists;
      (b) Conducting strategic planning and research necessary to stimulate future tourism development;
      (c) Operating tourism promotion agencies; and
      (d) Marketing special events and festivals designed to attract tourists.

http://visitbend.culturegrants.org
    {jcomments on}