NEA revoked, we need you!

On October 29th, the National Endowment for the Arts revoked our federal funding for the 2026 Artists' Biennial that will showcase a diverse group of Oregon artists making powerful, questioning, poignant, and (at times) political work.

This funding had been in limbo since spring but was confirmed in August. It was then revoked at the last minute, based solely on the names and bios of our curator and artists.

We are urgently working to keep the resulting economic chaos from reaching our programs, workers, and artists.

Federal courts have ruled that NEA's previous revocations of funding violate the First Amendment. Any litigation would likely take months to years, well beyond the timeframe of our exhibition. 

These artists deserve a chance to be seen, and the public deserves a chance to engage with their concepts and programs at a crucial time for our country.

Please give generously.

Sincerely, 
Oregon Contemporary (Ox) staff, board, and friends

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For further context, Curator TK Smith’s vision for the exhibition is as follows:

“Oregon Contemporary’s Artists’ Biennial 2026 will explore the interconnected themes of place, power, and promise, especially as they relate to our complex relationships with the land, our histories, and our nations. This exhibition intends to act as a response to the 250-year anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. This pivotal document emancipated the 13 American colonies from British rule, establishing the new nation with the promise of certain ‘unalienable rights’ to all citizens. Since its signing, there have been long and violent battles to combat the restriction of rights and the denial of full citizenship, often fought by the most vulnerable of us. The long history of Oregon offers us many examples of these battles…. Highlighting the diversity of Oregon and the Pacific NW Region, this biennial will hold space for the stories of those who fight and die to call this place home.”

We want to be fully transparent about our fundraising.* The breakdown is the following:

$30,000 urgently needed for the biennial due to the lost NEA funding.
$45,530 is our regularly planned individual giving for Quarter 2/ End of Year
$570 went to the Oregon Food Bank**
$10,000 in additional security needed for the biennial participants

$86,100 Total

*All individual giving will be reflected here through December, including offline donations.

**Donations received on November 1st, at the opening of A Larger Reality, were split 50/50 with the Oregon Food Bank as SNAP benefits are delayed this month. $570 was donated by Ox and others donated directly to both organizations.

Could you reduce the biennial costs? And what if you raise more? 

The total biennial program has already been reduced to $112,000 from the largest year’s program of $148,862 in 2024. Any additional funds received at this time will go to the biennial expanding back and also to the longevity of our institution. We also partner with over 50 other arts and culture and community nonprofits every year and often provide discounts, free space and more to others. We are also now anticipating new security costs to protect our communities at biennial events.

How is the financial health of Oregon Contemporary?

Oregon Contemporary (formerly Disjecta) is at a pivotal point. This year began as a celebration of our 25th year. We also recently announced an expanded partnership with Sitka Arts and Ecology which will bring our curators to the coast of Oregon for a residency as part of their curatorial program. We have been expanding our partnerships to include more than 50 arts and culture and community nonprofits each year. Also, we recently opened one of the largest exhibitions we’ve originated to date, A Larger Reality – Ursula K. Le Guin.

The first inkling of any issue was in May. Our NEA funding of $50,000-70,000 for the biennial wasn’t announced in April as it was expected to be, and other organizations had their grants revoked at that time. After that, the grant was in limbo for months. We were also weathering a loss in earned income and donations in Q4 (April-June) from economic uncertainty. We were able to fundraise, reduce costs urgently, postpone one exhibition, and make up most of the losses within a few months. Our NEA funding was finally confirmed in August for $30,000 and, while less than anticipated, it brought us back close to our previous financial levels.  

For our current FY budget, we project dipping into our reserves but not eradicating them, with the support of our donors and sponsors and many individuals. We do not anticipate any large issues such as reductions of staff. We are working hard to see this biennial produced well, its artists paid, its programs presented to the public, and it being deservingly highlighted for its response to our times. 

Thank you for supporting Ox and our artists.