Salem, Oregon – Deb Schallert, a retired Portland General Electric cultural and historic resources and environmental compliance manager, has been appointed to the Oregon Cultural Trust Board of Directors by Governor Kate Brown. Her appointment was confirmed by the Oregon Senate in late September.
Schallert’s work at PGE focused on hydroelectric and wind projects; her responsibilities included tribal consultation with Northwest tribes. Prior to
1995, Schallert held numerous positions throughout the state for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. In 1990, as an OPRD employee, she was the first participant in the year-long Oregon-Toyama sister state employee exchange program, during which she worked for the Toyama prefectural government and studied Japanese culture and language.
“We are extremely fortunate that Deb is dedicating her wealth of experience and expertise to advancing the Cultural Trust in Oregon,” said Niki Price, chair of the Cultural Trust Board. “Her deep understanding of what matters to Oregonians, and familiarity with our state’s diversity, will be tremendous assets to our work in creating access for all to our shared arts, heritage and humanities.”
Schallert’s most recent board experience was serving eight years on Oregon’s State Advisory Committee for Historic Preservation, several years as chair. She is a graduate of Lewis and Clark College.
“I am honored and thrilled to be appointed to this position and serve Oregon’s richly diverse communities and culture,” said Schallert.
Retired since 2015, Schallert now enjoys nurturing friendships, walking, yoga, traveling, foreign language studies, healthy cooking, creating art and needlepoint. She is a member of several Portland arts and cultural organizations, including the Portland Art Museum’s Asian Art Council, and is an Oregon Master Naturalist.
Her four-year term began Nov. 1.
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Created in 2001 by the Oregon Legislature, the Oregon Cultural Trust is a testimony to how much Oregonians value culture. No other state provides a 100 percent tax credit to inspire cultural giving. As uniquely Oregonian as public beaches and the bottle bill, the Oregon Cultural Trust was established 21 years ago by the Oregon Legislature as an ongoing funding engine for arts and culture across the state. Oregonians fund the Cultural Trust. We, in turn, fund the artists, potters, rappers, acrobats and dreamers who make Oregon, Oregon. In 2021 Oregonians gave $5.55 million to the Cultural Trust, our all-time record. Sixty percent of that went straight back to the field. The remaining 40 percent helped grow our permanent fund. Our three grant programs fund our five Statewide Partners, 45 County and Tribal Coalitions and qualified cultural nonprofits through competitive Cultural Development Grants.
