Portland, OR. The Kuni Foundation awarded just over $1 million to support 19 projects that advance cancer research and promote vibrancy and inclusion for people experiencing intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Portland-based PHAME, a performance and arts school for people with developmental disabilities, pictured above, received a $25,000 for current programs and a $50,000 grant to help support the planning and development of the region’s first fully accessible community and arts building. The community and arts building will be purpose-built for the needs of people with IDD and other disabilities and will include art studios, classrooms, rehearsal spaces, a kiln room and a black-box theater with an accessible light and sound booth. People without disabilities will also be welcome and rehearsal spaces will be open for use to local organizations.
PHAME was founded in 1984 by a group of families who were interested in creating performance opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“Imagination Grants reflect our commitment to investing in people and projects that inspire, innovate and experiment,” said Greg Goodwin, Kuni Foundation Board Chair. “We’re excited about the range of creative approaches expressed in this most recent round of grants.”
Oregon nonprofits received just over $350,000 including three grants to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). A $50,000 grant will help launch a Center of Excellence for Autism Research at OHSU.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one out of every 54 children have been identified with autism spectrum disorder and Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability. Access to diagnosis and intervention is often delayed and reduced for people of color and those living in remote, rural areas. OHSU has the state’s largest clinical program for the treatment of autism, and the grant will be used to help build capacity, collaboration and expand services through the Center of Excellence for Autism Research.
“This capacity-building grant from the Kuni Foundation will provide us with the launch pad we need to start our Autism Center at a critical time.” Eric Fombonne, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, OHSU.
OHSU also received $149,000 to advance two cancer research efforts. Dr. Lara Davis, Associate Professor of Medical and Pediatric Oncology and the Director of the Sarcoma Program at the Knight Cancer Center, received $75,000 to pursue better outcomes for women diagnosed with Uterine leiomyosarcoma. This rare and aggressive cancer affects thousands of women each year with a mortality rate of more than 50 percent.
The Leukemia Lymphoma Society (Oregon) received $50,000 for research to improve diagnosis and treatment for Multiple Myeloma, with an emphasis on improving access and outcomes for African Americans. The risk for Multiple Myeloma increases with age, and with the population in the United States steadily aging, the incidence of new diagnoses is expected to increase by 60 percent over 20 years (2010 to 2030). Nearly 13,000 Americans die from Multiple Myeloma each year; African Americans are more than twice as likely to receive a diagnosis, and at a younger age.
Expanding Housing Access in Washington
A new co-housing model in Shoreline, Washington led by Community Homes, Inc. received $50,000 to help plan an inclusive community for people who experience IDD. The nonprofit provides affordable and supportive housing, in addition to navigation and support.
Open Doors for Multicultural Families provides culturally and linguistically relevant information, services, and programs to culturally diverse people experiencing IDD. Based in Redmond, Washington, the organization received a $50,000 planning grant to support a new housing effort.
“People experiencing disabilities are the drivers of the planning, design, and development of the Multicultural Village housing project, said Ginger Kwan, Executive Director of Open Doors for Multicultural Families. “By gathering their feedback and lifting their voices, we will build options that provide opportunities for homeownership and create a multicultural community center. Kuni Foundation has played a critical role in realizing this vision, planting the seed for this project to grow.”
Ten cancer research initiatives received just over $700,000 for efforts ranging from treatments for brain and bladder cancers to the use of artificial intelligence. Christoph Lee, MD, MS, MBA, and professor of Radiology at the University of Washington (UW) School of Medicine received $75,000 for the regional expansion of artificial intelligence-driven breast cancer screenings.
Here are more specifics:
Oregon Grants ($356,988):
Grace Commons Consortium, Portland: Pre-Development for Community Arts Building, $50,000
Home Life, Corvallis: Quality Assurance Program $7,000
Christoph Lee, MD, UW Medicine: Regional Expansion of Artificial Intelligence-Driven Breast Cancer Screenings, $75,000
Brent Wise, MD, UW Medicine: Predicting Medication-Resistant and Atypical Pituitary Adenomas Using a Cell-Free DNA Approach, $75,000
About the Kuni Foundation:
Based in Vancouver, Washington,theKuni Foundation funds cancer research and supports programs and initiatives that enhance the lives of adults who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities. Learn more at www.kunifoundation.org or via Twitter: @KuniFoundation.
Portland, July 12th, 2014. It’s a big year for PHAME. Since its founding in 1984, PHAME has provided 30 years of lifelong arts education to hundreds of young and older adults with developmental disabilities and performed to tens of thousands of audience members across the Portland metro community. (photo credit, Intisar Abioto)
Stephen Marc Beaudoin hugs supporters at the nonprofit’s big birthday bash on June 26th.
Scrap books and photo albums brought back memories at the birthday party.
Over 200 people came to celebrate PHAME 30TH Birthday – Portland OR. Photo by Intisar Abioto — at Castaway Portland.
PHAME fans crowded the photo booth to preserve memories for the next 30 years. (photo credit, Wayne Bund)
KGW’s Drew Carney was the emcee.
In addition to the nonprofit’s big Birthday Bash on June 26th at Castaway, PHAME has received several community recognitions in honor of their 30th Anniversary. PHAME was the first recipient of the “Spirit of L’Arche Award” from L’Arche Portland, and also received special Proclamation from Portland Mayor Charlie Hales, and the Portland City Council.
“These recognitions are wonderful honors for PHAME, and show again the power of the arts to inspire us to reach our fullest possibilities as people,” says PHAME Executive Director, Stephen Marc Beaudoin. “As we celebrate an incredible 30 years of lifelong learning in the arts for persons with developmental disabilities, we are very touched to be chosen as the first ever ‘Spirit of L’Arche Award’ winner from our friends at L’Arche Portland, and look forward to celebrating the spirit of inclusion and the power of possibility with them when we receive this recognition.
From PHAME:
In 2014, PHAME celebrates 30 years as a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring individuals with developmental disabilities to lead full, creative lives through arts education and performance.
Since our founding in 1984, PHAME has provided lifelong arts education to hundreds of young and older adults with developmental disabilities; performed to tens of thousands of audience members across the Portland metro community, the state and the world; picked up a number of community recognitions and awards; produced and collaborated on hundreds of performances and shows; and helped to move the needle on the creativity, value and worth of all artists, regardless of ability or disability.
PHAME History Timeline:
1984: PHAME’s first production, an adaptation of “The Nativity Story,” launches PHAME – or Portland Handicapped Artists and Musical Entertainers, the organization’s original acronym – in Portland, OR, in December 1984. The production is directed by Carol Stady, a volunteer and founder of PHAME alongside a group of dedicated families, care providers and young and older adults with developmental disabilities.
1987: PHAME produces its first fully staged traditional Broadway-style musical: “My Fair Lady.”
1993: PHAME formally incorporates as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
1994: A group of PHAME artists travels to Brussels, Belgium, and offers a command performance as part of the VSA Very Special Arts International Festival.
1998: The first annual PHAME gala fundraising event is held, at the World Trade Center, Portland.
1999: PHAME tackles the thorny forests of Stephen Sondheim, producing “Into The Woods.”
2007: Long before Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway, PHAME braves 19th century France by producing a fully staged production of the pop-opera “Les Miserables” in two performances.
2008: PHAME tours across the Pacific Northwest, with stops in Portland and Boise, Idaho.
2010: PHAME takes up new residence for rapidly expanding offices and programs at Grace Memorial Episcopal Church in Northeast Portland.
2011: PHAME is recognized with the City of Portland “Making A Difference Award,” and breaks attendance records with its summer production of “Grease,” making it the best-attended PHAME production in the organization’s history
2012: PHAME embarks on its most ambitious touring project to date, with “PHAME: the H is for Honored Tour,” in which over 50 PHAME artists tour across the four-county region, performing to over 3,000 community members in schools, community centers and concert halls, culminating in a blowout show at the Aladdin Theater; later that year, the organization partners with Runaway Mustache Productions to produce the feature-length documentary, “In This Together,” premiering August 1, 2012 at The Hollywood Theatre. And then, PHAME opens for and collaborates with Oregon’s own globe-trotting world pop mini orchestra, Pink Martini, at the Oregon Zoo.
2013: PHAME continues to expand program offerings for an expanding student body, and announces the organization’s most artistically ambitious project yet: a newly commissioned music-theatre work, written by Laura Gibson and Debbie Lamedman, to premiere in an integrated production with three performances in August 2015, at Gerding Theater at the Armory/Portland Center Stage.
2014: PHAME celebrates 30 years with a six-show series across Portland called “PHAME @ 30,” and introduces an exciting new brand identity and website.
Portland, August 25th, 2013. “What good is sitting alone in your room?” That was the question posed by PHAME Cabaret organizers who drew hundreds to their annual event at the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center in N Portland.
PHAME’s student had a dance-off at the PHAME Cabaret.
Program supporters include Bernie, Katie and Rosemary Carlsen
PHAME is also announcing two major new artistic initiatives celebrating the organization’s upcoming 30th anniversary: a season of six PHAME-produced showcase events, from February to December 2014, titled “PHAME @ 30,” and the commitment to developing and producing a newly devised musical production specifically for the student artists of PHAME, involving collaboration and commission, and premiering in Summer of 2015 – a first in PHAME’s history.
The new artistic initiatives are direct outcomes of the continued growth and strength of PHAME as the Portland metro community’s acclaimed fine and performing arts academy for young and older adults with developmental disabilities, says PHAME Executive Director Stephen Marc Beaudoin. “Both our ‘PHAME @ 30’ anniversary season of events and the new stage work we’ll be creating and commissioning are significant artistic undertakings, and they’re only possible because of significant community belief and support, the remarkable talent of our PHAME student artists and performers, and our incredible artistic staff. We can’t wait to celebrate 30 years of PHAME across the city of Portland in 2014 with friends old and new!”
PHAME was founded in 1984 with an original adaptation of “The Nativity Story” adapted for a small group of student artists involved at that time. Since being founded in 1984, PHAME has served hundreds of young and older adults with developmental disabilities, and reached tens of thousands of audience members across Oregon and across the globe. Celebrating 30 years of PHAME is a major milestone, and the “PHAME @ 30” season will spread the magic of PHAME across the city with a season of six PHAME-produced performances, as well as many more community events and happenings.
“PHAME @ 30 allows us to showcase the work of our students in new ways, across artistic disciplines, and in diverse venues across Portland,” says PHAME Artistic Director Jessica Dart. “This is a step toward aligning the practices of PHAME’s artists with the practices of the arts community at large.” The “PHAME @ 30″ series will include a performance of new play readings (February 1, 2014 at Portland Center Stage lobby); a visual arts exhibition (date/venue TBA); a major concert featuring PHAME musicians with special collaborators (date TBA at The Aladdin Theater); the “PHAME @ 30 Birthday Bash” (June 26, 2014 at Castaway); “PHAME is a Cabaret!” (date/venue TBA) and a special PHAME Holiday Concert (date/venue TBA).
One highlight of the “PHAME @ 30” season will be the “PHAME @ 30 Birthday Bash” event, an interactive performance, art installation and food and drink celebration starring our PHAME artists and performers, on Thursday June 26, 2014 at Castaway event space in Northwest Portland. Artistic Director Jessica Dart calls this “a major blow-out event. We’re planning some very exciting surprises including special guest collaborators, performances and presentations by PHAME student artists, great food, drink, and a fun party atmosphere.” Because of the 30th anniversary focus, PHAME will not produce a traditional musical production in June 2014, but the organization invites its audience to the “PHAME @ 30 Birthday Bash” and the full range of “PHAME @ 30” events across Portland in 2014, and to follow the development of our new production to be premiered in Summer 2015.
Concurrent with the “PHAME @ 30” season, the artistic staff and collaborators to be announced will begin work on a newly devised production, crafted specifically to highlight the full talents of PHAME artists, to premiere in Summer 2015. This work, Artistic Director Jessica Dart says, is “an exciting opportunity to craft a story, music, movement, and striking visual images from scratch, specifically for our students. It’s time we seized the opportunity to tap into the strengths and talents of our students even more directly than we have in the past.” The new work will premiere in Summer 2015 at a venue to be announced.
Portland, August 1st. The VIP screening of “In This Together” was sold out. 380 PHAME supporters gathered at the The Hollywood Theatre to watch the new feature-length documentary about PHAME, and its inspiring student artists and performers. The film, produced in collaboration with Portland’s own Runaway Mustache Productions, follows performers on their ten-city tour, called “PHAME: the H is for Honored Tour.”
PHAME visited communities across the metro region, showcasing their remarkable talent and tenacity to audiences in Portland, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Estacada and Beaverton, Oregon, as well as Vancouver, Washington.
The production team assembled for the film, “In This Together” includes: Producer/Director: Alex Huebsch, Associate Producers: Marc Friedman and Stephen Marc Beaudoin, Cinematographer: Paulius Kontijevas, and Lead Editor: Marc Friedman
At the film premier, PHAME raised over $7,000 in donations, ticket sales and merchandise sales. Supporters enjoyed the red carpet treatment.
PHAME board chair Ethan Dunham, and his partner Michelle Schmidt
Here’s are a couple of trailers for the film (they can be viewed in most browsers including Explorer and Safari.)
PHAME’s Chrystal Figueroa
“We are absolutely delighted to be collaborating on this feature length documentary film about PHAME with the incredible vision and talent of Alex Huebsch, Marc Friedman and everyone at Runaway Mustache Productions,” says PHAME Executive Director Stephen Marc Beaudoin. ‘In This Together’ asks us to look freshly at what it means to be an artist, and to look more deeply at the very definition of art itself.” PHAME will offer DVDs of the film for sale in the near future.
From PHAME Academy: PHAME is the Portland region’s acclaimed fine and performing arts academy for adults with developmental disabilities.
PHAME Academy supports the development of skills and self-esteem in adults with developmental disabilities through education and participation in the fine and performing arts. Our slogan is “Talent Revealed.” In order to accomplish this goal, PHAME practices the “Enlighten, Educate, and Entertain” teaching philosophy. This approach supports the students by providing opportunities that encourage education, enlightening experiences, and entertainment derived from not only the classroom and special event environments, but also from the experiences and support derived from parents, guardians, and the students themselves.
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