Oregon Cultural Trust

Make Culture Count: Strengthening Oregon’s Cultural Legacy

The Oregon Cultural Trust plays a vital role in preserving and advancing the state’s arts, heritage, and humanities. With an innovative tax credit program at its core, the Trust ensures sustainable funding for cultural organizations, fostering creativity and preserving Oregon’s unique cultural identity. Watson Creative has been a trusted partner for years, working closely with the Trust to expand awareness, refine its positioning, and create impactful campaigns that connect Oregonians to their cultural heritage.

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Crafting a Movement, Not Just a Campaign

The Oregon Cultural Trust’s mission goes beyond funding—it’s about uniting communities through a shared commitment to culture. Watson Creative embraced this vision, crafting campaigns that presented the Trust as “not just an organization, but a movement.” The storytelling focused on the transformative impact of cultural investments, connecting the emotional and logical benefits of participation.

Key messaging included phrases like “Make Culture Count” and “A unique cultural tapestry,” emphasizing the enduring value of the Trust’s work. By weaving stories of funded projects and cultural preservation into every campaign, Watson helped illustrate the tangible outcomes of Oregonians’ contributions.

A Statewide Strategy for Engagement

Watson’s multi-year collaboration with the Trust involved a comprehensive communication strategy:

  • Tax Credit Advocacy Campaigns: Digital and print campaigns highlighted the benefits of the tax credit, demystifying the process and encouraging participation.
  • Website and Digital Ecosystem: A redesigned website offered accessible information, simplifying how individuals and organizations engage with the Trust.
  • Regional Outreach: Campaigns were tailored to resonate with communities across Oregon, from urban centers like Portland to rural areas in the Willamette Valley and beyond.
  • Emphasis on Diversity and Inclusion: Materials showcased the Trust’s commitment to supporting underrepresented groups, aligning with its mission to create a more equitable cultural landscape.
  • Event Sponsorship and Partnerships: Collaborations with local organizations strengthened the Trust’s presence at cultural events and in community conversations.

RESEARCH

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Results

Results That Elevate Culture

The results of this collaboration have been remarkable. Awareness of the Oregon Cultural Trust’s tax credit program has grown significantly, leading to increased contributions and greater funding for cultural organizations statewide. Community feedback reflects a deepened understanding of how the Trust enriches Oregon’s cultural identity, and cultural organizations report enhanced visibility and support.

The campaigns also successfully positioned the Trust as a proactive and contemporary steward of Oregon’s arts, heritage, and humanities. Its emphasis on inclusivity and innovation resonates deeply, making it a model for cultural stewardship nationwide.

Benefits

Not Everything. Just What Works.

Strategy

Build from insight. Strategy isn’t guesswork—it’s groundwork. We listen, research, and distill what matters to guide smarter decisions and set a solid creative direction.

Content

Make it meaningful. From naming to narratives, we create content that speaks with purpose—rooted in truth, tuned to your audience, and built to connect.

Digital

Design for behavior. We craft digital experiences that are intuitive, scalable, and aligned with how real people move, click, swipe, and search.

Experiential

Bring brands to life. Physical spaces, moments, and memories matter. We design experiences that feel human—and stay with you long after the lights go out.

Marketing

Drive connection. Our marketing approach blends data and instinct—getting the right message to the right people, in ways that actually move them.

Consulting

Partner on progress. We work alongside your team to solve real problems, shift thinking, and build internal alignment—without the agency ego.