About

Keeping the Beat is a nonprofit 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to supporting K-12 arts education programs (with an emphasis on music) in rural Oregon through a variety of programs. We were founded in 2007 by Steve Gehlen and are governed by a nonprofit Board of Directors.

Our projects, the Portland Creative Conference and the American Roots Music Festival, have so far distributed over $30,000 to support rural Oregon arts and music education programs.

We are currently looking to partner with events, schools, performers, sponsors, donors and volunteers. If interested, please subscribe to our email list.

School music and arts budgets are suffering throughout the state of Oregon, especially in rural districts. The leaders of Keeping the Beat believe in and have personally experienced the positive benefits of music and arts education. Therefore we see the need for a nonprofit organization with the following objectives:

  • Develop and manage a statewide cooperative network of arts-related events that will support the creation and maintenance of a shared pool of funds to support K-12 school arts programs (with an emphasis on music) in rural Oregon.
  • Distribute pooled funds raised via event partners to K-12 school music and other arts programs via an application and review process.
  • Develop a school music assembly program that includes a directory of performers and raise the funds needed to cover their costs to travel and perform at school assemblies in rural Oregon.
  • Educate stakeholders (e.g. politicians, school boards, school administrators and business leaders) about the benefits of K-12 arts education, including scientific research results.
  • Continue to directly manage the American Roots Music Festival.

If you are interested in more information and in possibly participating in some way, please subscribe to our email list and/or contact us.

Credits:

Logo Design: Jim Hopkins, Sachs Communications
Web Site Design: ISITE Design