25 Years of Contemporary Art in Portland, Oregon
We are celebrating 25 years of Oregon Contemporary! We launched our kickoff party on February 6th at Soho House with a performance by Marcus Fischer and small works by Emily Counts.
We have many plans to celebrate this year including more parties at Ox and Soho House, and a new type of fundraiser art sale that also supports artists directly! Throughout the year, information will be posted on our social media, sent in our e-news, and messaged to all of our members. Check out our upcoming events here.
Thanks for helping us to the next 25 years!
Our Growth Plan: A Transformative Success –
$835,975 Raised!
Thanks to your support, we surpassed our $750K goal, raising $835,975 to propel Oregon Contemporary forward as a thriving cultural hub. These funds fueled transformative expansion, strengthening artistic programming, operations, and accessibility while deepening our commitment to equity and sustainability.
Expanding Artistic & Organizational Impact-
We doubled exhibitions, activated our building year-round, and expanded rentals to arts and culture tenants. Artists benefited from W.A.G.E.-certified wages, increased curatorial support, and a new fund for last-minute programming opportunities. We also continued publishing original research and exhibition catalogs to document and amplify artists’ voices.
Advancing Equity & Accessibility-
We increased BIPOC representation in programming to 50%+, provided low- or no-cost space for underrepresented communities, and enhanced accessibility with ADA-compliant upgrades including door sensors, stage steps, gender-neutral signage, and large-print guides. We formalized our values through an Equity Statement, Safe Space Agreement, and Land Acknowledgment, ensuring long-term commitment to inclusivity.
Strengthening Community Engagement & Visibility-
We launched a new website, introduced First Saturdays to showcase exhibitions and tenant-led events, and enhanced visitor experience with expanded docents, upgraded branding, and improved public spaces including a shop, café, and landscaped outdoor areas. A larger advertising budget and increased event photography now ensure greater visibility for our artists and programs.
Ensuring Financial & Organizational Sustainability-
We aligned program costs with funding, increased staff pay and benefits to market standards, implemented annual cost-of-living adjustments, and expanded staffing to meet programming needs. An advisory council now guides strategic initiatives, and a financial buffer secures long-term stability.
Looking Ahead-
Despite pandemic-related adjustments, this campaign laid a strong foundation for the future. With an anticipated $56,050 annual funding increase, we will continue to refine and expand our impact, guided by community feedback and ongoing strategic planning.
Your support made this possible. Together, we are building a more inclusive, sustainable, and artist-centered Oregon Contemporary. Thank you for investing in this vision!