Fishtrap

Fishtrap's mission is to cultivate clear thinking and good writing in and about the West. Since 1988, Fishtrap has created a vibrant literary community in Wallowa County, Oregon through our programs such as the annual Summer Fishtrap Gathering of Writers, Winter Fishtrap, The NEA Big Read, local writing workshops, residencies, and a growing youth creative writing and theater program in all area public schools. Donations are key to ensuring these programs are of high quality and accessible to our entire community.

Our location in rural Northeast Oregon is central to our identity. Wallowa County (pop. 7,500) is one of the most geographically remote regions in Oregon, with only 2.2 people per square mile. We are located more than 150 miles from the nearest city of 100,000 or more, and are considered a “Frontier Community,” with 43% of adults having attained no more than a high school education. 

At Fishtrap, we believe the West as both a place and an idea holds a wealth of creative opportunities that are often undervalued, misunderstood, and undernourished—particularly in sparsely populated rural areas. Fishtrap events are created to bring people together and encourage community through learning about our history, offering space for diverse perspectives and backgrounds, and helping define our shared experiences. Most local events are offered free of charge, or on a suggested donation basis. Our community members recognize Fishtrap as a core driver of the local arts community.

Fishtrap reaches 4,000 people annually. We strive to serve a broad audience, creating programs that reach all ages and walks of life, from the very youngest writer to award-winning poets, novelists, journalists, and memoirists. Over the past three years, 60% of the participants in our programs were from Oregon (evenly split between rural, urban and suburban), 30% were from Western states, and 10% were from 10 other states. Our continuum of low- and no-cost youth programming reaches 700 young rural writers ages 7–18 each year. In any given year, Fishtrap contracts 30-40 working artists as instructors, keynote speakers and writers-in-residence.