Neighborhood Nonprofit Spotlight: Portland Institute of Contemporary Art

Patch talks to Portland Institute of Contemporary Art (PICA) about the work it does to bring the contemporary art world to the Portland community.

Patch: Tell Patch a little bit about your organization!

PICA: PICA acknowledges and advances new ideas in contemporary art while fostering the creative explorations of artists and audiences.Through performances, exhibitions, residencies, educational programs and commissioning of new work, PICA brings internationally significant art to Portland while featuring the talents of local artists, provides resources for artists exploring new forms, and engages audiences in creative dialogue around aesthetic issues and ideas that illuminate life in the here and now.

Patch: How does your organization help to strengthen the local community?

PICA: PICA supports local artists through direct grant support, commissioning of new work and professional development. Through community engagement and educational programs we provide access to national and international artists and break down the barriers of intimidation with contemporary art. We also conduct youth programs. PICA has a residency program that allows artistrs creative time and cross disciplinary exchange of ideas.

Patch: What is the biggest struggle your organization faces?

PICA:With a national reputation as leaders in our field, we attract national program support grants to fund programs and projects, however funding for core operating support is difficult. Philanthropy in Portland continues to be a challenge, even for a 21 year old organization. Although we are strategic and entrepreneurial, we operate as a cash based organization, fluctuating expense budgets to meet income projections annually. Establishing cash assets and funding for capacity building is an important priority now.

Patch: What do you hope for the future of your nonprofit?

PICA: PICA has historically been an itinerant organization, mounting programs throughout the city in underutilized or vacant properties throughout neighborhoods. This practice became impossible in the current real estate market. Through strategic planning efforts, we prioritized the need to secure a stable facility while maintaining low overheads. This year we signed a 20 year, no rent lease on a building in the NE Eliot neighborhood. As we shift our practice and move into this facility we hope to build staffing capacity and focus more deeply on community engagement and what it means to be partners in a quickly gentrifying neighborhood. Working with community schools, service agencies and gathering places PICA strives to become an important community asset while maintaining our mission of supporting artists and their work.

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