Dec. 22, 2019

Message to Eugene Scene readers

Thanks to all those who routinely follow the arts-and-culture coverage on the nonprofit Eugene Scene website at eugenescene.org, and welcome to all the many more who we hope will discover and make it a habit in the future.

So far this year, more than 14,000 visitors have come to the site and read nearly 26,000 “pages” on topics such as art, theater, music, books, profiles, classes and workshops, auditions, library activities, and reviews.

Up to now, this effort has been my personal, out-of-pocket expense, based on my commitment to journalism after more than 30 years as a newspaper reporter and my appreciation of the arts as a fundamental and vital component not only of civilization, but humanity itself.

I have spent three years nurturing the Eugene Scene project on my own, bringing it to a point where it has a steady and growing following and a reputation for quality and stability. I chose to make Eugene Scene a nonprofit organization for two reasons: I believe it is ideally the way that journalism generally should be conducted to maximize fairness, accessibility, and accountability; and because, like public radio and television, I value the concept of a “family” of contributors who not only can choose to support the effort but also receive a benefit in the form of a tax deduction for their commitment.

The time has come to build on that progress, including significantly expanding coverage through broadening Eugene Scene’s means of support. There are many, many more ways in which we can support the panoply of artistic endeavors in this region, but it will take participation by people who share the commitment.

Thanks to a recent revamp of the website, we now have a “support us” button to allow eugenescene.org supporters to make tax-deductible contributions that will be used solely to pay writers, reviewers, calendar keepers, and other “content providers,” and to maintain the site.

Also thanks to the upgrade, Eugene Scene now also can accept website advertising. Those who are interested in that option to promote their events or services may email eugenescene.org@gmail.com.

My goal for the website is for it to maintain itself financially. To maximze that effort, I do not take any revenue from this endeavor for my personal use.

The Eugene Scene motto — “arts, culture, people and places in Eugene, Oregon and beyond” — describes the goal of this nonprofit organization. Future support from the community, both creators and patrons of the arts, is appreciated — and essential — in its success.

Sincerely,

Randi Bjornstad

(Founder and administrator of The Eugene Scene at eugenescene.org)