EUGENE,
Ore. -- (June 5, 2009) -- The University of Oregon has long served as the
cultural and artistic hub of the region. Now, in an effort to unify the arts
and reach out to the community, the Oregon Bach Festival, Jordan Schnitzer
Museum of Art, and Museum of Natural and Cultural History are joining forces to
present the World Harmony Project.

During
the project, which runs from June 25 to 28, the three organizations will offer
a variety of exhibition openings, live music, dance and lectures. The events
will allow community members to experience a wealth of arts, culture and
heritage, appropriate for the entire family.

"The
university is committed to engaging the community in a dialogue about arts and
culture," said Michael Redding, vice president of university advancement.
"We have resources, like the museums and the Oregon Bach Festival, that are
nationally renowned for their programming. The World Harmony Project allows us
to collaborate and provide a rich cultural opportunity for our visitors."

The UO
will host the 2009 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships the same
weekend. The World Harmony Project will provide local and national visitors a
variety of cultural activities. Last year, when Eugene hosted the Olympic
Trials, the museums experienced large crowds and hope to attract additional
visitors this year.

The
project received a $9,000 grant from the Oregon Arts Council Cultural Tourism and $10,000 Lane County Tourism Special Projects Grant to help draw visitors from outside Lane County and
increase statewide awareness of the UO and the Eugene-Springfield area as a
destination for cultural tourists. By
working together, JSMA, MNCH and the OBF are able to combine resources and
reach potential new audiences.

For a
complete schedule of events, visit http://jsma.uoregon.edu/WHP.html. Highlights include:

• Opening of JSMA's exhibition of Japanese
  art, "On the Road: Two Visions of the Tokaido," with reception and entertainment; on view from June 25-Sept. 13.
• Opening of MNCH's exhibition, "World
  Harmony - Musical Instruments from Around the Globe," on view
  from June 25-Jan. 3 and
  "Shall We Dance?" an exhibit of images by Pulitzer Prize-winning
  photojournalist Brian Lanker. The opening will include a reception and
  entertainment.
• Opening concert of OBF's 40th season;
  Haydn's oratorio "The
  Creation," performed by the Festival orchestra, chorus and
  soloists, conducted by Helmuth Rilling, at the Hult Center for the
  Performing Arts on June 26.
• Children's concert, "Taiko
  Together," with Los Angeles-based On Ensemble, at the Hult Center on
  June 27.
• OBF evening concert at the Hult Center by the
  On Ensemble, June 27.
• Pacific International
  Children's Choir Festival Gala Concert, at the Hult Center on June 28.
• "Sunday at Sound," a two-site (JSMA
  and MNCH) multi-cultural music festival featuring 10 local and regional
  ensembles from 1 to 4 p.m. on June
  28.

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