Web Design by Melissa Nathan. Copyright by Umatilla County Cultural Coalition, 2005.
The Umatilla County Cultural Plan INVENTORY AND ASSESSMENT
Inventory and Assessment
One of the Committee's first tasks was to develop a countywide inventory of cultural resources. This listing includes individuals engaged in arts, heritage, or humanities activities by vocation or avocation, as well as organizations whose defining interests are arts, heritage or humanities. This inventory is dynamic and will be updated annually and will be posted on the Umatilla County Cultural Plan website.
The list of cultural resources developed at the committee level and as part of the public input process never failed to amaze participants. It is clear that Umatilla County has a very large cultural resource base.
Challenges identified during the planning process included:
Umatilla County citizens are volunteer-oriented and are willing to share their expertise and skills, as well as their financial resources, to bring ideas to fruition. They find ways to work together to make culture in many forms essential elements in our communities. It is readily apparent that they are not only proud of cultural resources already available, but they are working to enhance and add to them.
This desire to celebrate the Arts, Heritage and Humanities is reflected in the goals and strategies that make up the Umatilla County Cultural Plan.
In 2008 challenges remain. The Umatilla County Cultural Coalition has observed an increased awareness of cultural activities and events with communication through a variety of mechanisms.
A relatively small population base in a large geographic area,
Multiple organizations with similar missions
Event scheduling conflicts
Economic instability (i.e. lack of funding for cultural programs in the schools and the same financial supporters for everything)
Cultural and language barriers
A lack of awareness of available cultural activities.