Bob Hicks

At a time of massive federal fund-cutting, the Oregon Cultural Trust awards a record $4.1 million to statewide groups, and the Oregon Arts Commission grants $310,000 for arts education projects.

An evening of storytelling, mariachi music and dance tells the tales of a vibrant United States culture of variety and counters the upswell of anti-immigrant sentiment.

Ferriso, the Portland museum's director since 2006, will become director of the Dallas Museum of Art. He'll leave after the Nov. 20 unveiling of PAM's massive redesign.

The shutdown, pushed by the Trump Administration and Congress, cuts funding to National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting System, and threatens regional affliates including OPB and All Classical Radio.

Friday's congressional slashing of previously passed budgets for PBS and NPR put Oregon outlets on a financial hot seat and exacerbate already tight arts and cultural funding across the nation.

Money could go to groups across the state, from Portland Center Stage to the High Desert Museum to the Coos Art Museum; proposed merger of Oregon Arts Commission and Oregon Culture Trust still waiting.

OSF names Javier Dubon as its interim executive director; B&B announces a four-person artistic leadership team; Center Stage needs $1 million more by Aug. 31.

A wake will be held June 17 for Patterson, co-founder of Playwrights West and the prolific author of 50-plus plays, including "Waiting on Sean Flynn" and "Ghostlighting."

Multnomah County, facing a tight budget and preparing to trim it, is poised to radically cut its support of the Regional Arts & Culture Council. RACC is making an emergency plea for public support to stop the proposed slashes.

Twenty mid-career literary and media artists will receive $25,000 each. Plus: A trio of visual artists win $35,000 Hallie Ford fellowships; 29 Oregon artists share $97,000+ from the Oregon Arts Commission.