Visitor guide

Lobby entrance of Portland Art Museum from Park Avenue. A bright space with three glass doors, full of visitors.

Construction

Pardon our dust! In January 2023 we began work on an expansion and renovation project that will make our campus more accessible and welcoming to all. We are currently moving our loading dock to SW Jefferson Street, and construction of the new central Rothko Pavilion will begin fall 2023. Learn more about the project here.

What does this mean for visiting?

We are currently open regular hours and intend to remain open throughout the project, however our permanent collection galleries are closed to protect the art and accomodate construction. Visitors can enjoy highly anticipated special exhibitions like Black Artists of Oregon (through March 17, 2024) , Africa Fashion (November 18, 2023 – February 18, 2024), and Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks (March 30 – August 31, 2024). Additionally, Throughlines: Connections in the Collection (opening October 28, 2023) is a collaborative exhibition of collection highlights that will remain on view while the Museum’s permanent collection galleries are closed for construction.

Please note that you will experience variying levels of construction noise inside the Museum.

Plan your trip

Experience the power of art at the Portland Art Museum. Find out why the Museum is internationally renowned for our art experiences in the heart of the city’s cultural district on the beautiful South Park Blocks. Please see construction information below affecting some galleries.

Exhibitions

The Museum presents exhibitions ranging from single-artist retrospectives to historical surveys to major touring exhbitions from museums around the globe. Exhibitions feature works of art from the Museum’s collections as well as masterpieces on loan from museums and private collections worldwide. See what’s on view.

Travel information

The Museum is conveniently located on the historic Park Blocks in the center of downtown Portland, which is easy to get around by public transit or on foot. The Portland Business Alliance has installed way-finding signs which direct you to the cultural district, where the Museum is located.

The Willamette River divides the City of Portland into east and west districts. The Portland Art Museum is roughly 12 blocks south of West Burnside Street and nine blocks west of the Willamette River. (Park Avenue is the same as 9th Avenue). The Museum is bounded by SW Park Avenue to the east, 10th Avenue to the west, Jefferson Street to the south, and Main Street to the north.

To plan a trip to Portland, be sure to visit Travel Portland for information on specials and hotel offers, or book directly with one of our preferred hotel partners:

Public transit

Getting to get to the Museum by public transportation is straightforward and economical. The bus and streetcar travel directly past the Museum, and the MAX light rail has a stop only four blocks away. TriMet’s Trip Planner gives you step-by-step travel directions from your location by bus, light rail, or streetcar.

Transportation assistance is available through TriMet’s network of fully accessible bus and MAX lines and its LIFT service, which is available for trips where a disability prevents the use of bus or MAX.

Parking

There is generally plenty of street parking surrounding the Museum. These spaces range from 1 – 4 hours and can be paid for using a credit card or the Parking Kitty app. There are also surface parking lots, and parking garages within 1 – 4 blocks of the Museum. The closest surface lot is located at SW Main St. between SW 10th Ave. and Park Ave, and there are dedicated accessible and van accessible spaces. This lot accepts credit card or the Reef app.

Visitor agreement to safe & inclusive spaces

The Portland Art Museum and PAM CUT are committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, welcoming environment for staff, visitors, volunteers, and audiences alike. We are a Museum and immersive cinema open to everyone and value creating new experiences, exploring the world around us, and being a place for connection, healing and learning.

We are committed to ensuring that all spaces and events are free from harassment, discrimination, and threatening or disrespectful behavior of any kind. Anyone who engages in such conduct either on or off site will have their access to galleries, festival screenings, events, and venues revoked without notice or refund.  If you have experienced or observed any violations of this agreement, or have any concerns, please alert a member of our staff immediately, call 503-226-2811 or complete an online report

By visiting the Museum and PAM CUT, you agree to abide by this agreement to safe and inclusive spaces. We appreciate your participation in cultivating a positive environment!

Look, but don’t touch

Please avoid touching any artwork so that they remain in good condition for future Museum visitors.

Bags and personal items

We kindly request that bags, backpacks, or items larger than 11″ x 17″ x 6″ be left outside the Museum. Babies in carriers are permitted. Other bags should be carried at your side or in front, and not worn on one’s back. All items are subject to inspection. We want our visitors to feel welcome and understand that exceptions may be appropriate. Please contact us in advance of your visit or request to speak to a Visitor Services Manager upon arrival with questions.

Attire

All visitors must wear proper attire, including shoes and shirts while in the Museum.

Photography

Still photography is permitted for personal, noncommercial use only unless otherwise noted. Flash, tripods, monopods and camera extension poles are not allowed.

During your visit, photos and/or videos may be taken of you and your group by Portland Art Museum staff or contracted photographers to be used for education and promotional purposes. If you or someone in your party would prefer to not be photographed, please let the photographer or someone from Guest Services know. Closed circuit cameras are used throughout the Museum campus for security purposes only.

Food & drinks

Outside food and drinks are prohibited. Visitors will be asked to dispose of them before entering the Museum, with exceptions made for medical and other concerns.

When you visit

Pronoun pins

Some of our staff wear pins that share their pronouns. These pins let visitors know how to address them, and help to create a welcoming environment.

Service animals

Service dogs and miniature horses are welcome in the Museum. We do not permit retractable leashes in the museum. Please note that therapy animals, emotional support animals, and companion animals are not considered service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act and are not permitted in the Museum.

Sketching

Sketching and writing is allowed in the galleries with pencils only.

Weapons policy

The Museum strictly prohibits the use, possession, or storage of any weapons (including but not limited to firearms) on its campus.

Accessibility inquiries

More information on access can be found here on our Accessibility page.  For accessibility needs please reach out to our Head of Accessibility who will collaborate with you to make an individual plan at access@pam.org, 503-276-4284 voicemail, or 503-420-3169 videophone for messages in ASL.