News from Britt Hill – December 2025 / January 2026
THE END of every year, for me, is a time of taking stock and focusing on lessons and joys from the year behind. For Britt, 2025 was an incredible—and challenging—year.
We continued our planning for the US Hotel, launched a new website, created a new logo inspired by our physical location and community, hired a fabulous new Music Director for the Britt Festival Orchestra, worked hard to pass HB3167 (protecting ticket buyers from scam websites), and so much more. We had a wonderful summer with all of you on the Hill, experiencing some of my favorite shows to date. In landmark news, we also made it through an entire season without a major issue with splinters in the Britt benches! And we recently announced that Bonnie Raitt will be joining us on June 3, 2026. It’s been a year of big accomplishments!
It’s also been a year of challenges. With federal funding priorities shifting, we’ve watched as grant funding has dried up or been redirected towards addressing basic human necessities. We’ve keenly felt the impact of tariff announcements, as each announcement has been accompanied by stalling ticket sales. And we’ve watched as our expenses have ballooned; items like liability and health insurance, credit card processing, and use of software platforms have skyrocketed, nearly doubling in the last four years. It’s a wild time to be running a nonprofit arts organization, and this month, I’m writing to request your consideration.
As many of us enter the season of gift-giving, please consider options like Britt memberships, merchandise, and gift cards for your friends and family. Every dollar you spend on memberships and merchandise stays right here in our community, while gift cards spent on tickets either go directly into our artists’ pockets or are reinvested in our programs and facilities. In fact, a recent report by the National Independent Venue Association identified that every dollar Oregonians spend on live arts and entertainment generates around $3 of economic activity in our communities! Plus, memberships include a substantial charitable gift, making them tax deductible to the extent that personal financial situation allows. I’m also grateful to all our friends who think of Britt for part of your year-end charitable giving.
I hope you have a wonderful holiday season, full of friends, community, and merry-making. You’re in our hearts, now and always. Britt would not exist without the community we serve, and I look forward to seeing you in 2026, both around town and on the Hill. Meanwhile, have a very happy holiday season!
All best, Abby