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Annual Report 2017

FY17 Revenues

FY17 – Expenses

FY17 – Investment Portfolio

FY17 - Membership

2016-2017 Annual Report

The 2017 fiscal year was a resounding success. From financial stability to world-class exhibitions and engaging public programs, the Museum and Northwest Film Center continue to deepen their connection with visitors and the community.

This past year the Museum presented 36 exhibitions and 630 films that showcased native fashion, presented the breadth of pop art icon Andy Warhol’s prints, featured Rodin’s brilliant human forms, introduced under-recognized African-American artists, and traveled the region and the globe through film. Additionally, the Museum connected more people to art and film than ever before through education and public programs. More than 43,000 individuals participated in public programs and tours, including more than 27,000 elementary, middle, high school and college students. Additionally, the Northwest Film Center hosted nearly 100 visiting artists and welcomed more than 3,500 high school students to free Global Classroom screenings.

Community partnerships added vital context to our exhibitions, installations, and programs. These partnerships included:

  • Working with the Independent Publishing Resource Center and local printmakers and illustrators during the Andy Warhol exhibition.
  • Collaborating with the Portland 3D Printing Lab during Rodin to bring new technology and new ways of seeing to Rodin’s process.
  • Working with an extraordinary range of artists, students, and community groups to bring Constructing Identity to life.
  • Connecting the experimentation and innovative thinking of architect John Yeon to local organizations working to address houselessness in our city—including the Village Coalition and Portland State University’s Center for Public Interest Design.

The Museum continues to work closely with school districts and educators in the region.  We were proud to again host The heART of Portland event, a Portland Public Schools arts showcase that, this year, highlighted the creative work of 483 student artists and performers. In addition to providing workshops and professional development for over 400 educators, images of objects in the Museum’s collection now hang in more than 1,000 classrooms across Oregon and Washington thanks to our expanding Teacher Poster Project.

Through their filmmaking classes, the NW Film Center taught more than 1,300 adults and children filmmaking and storytelling skills. Including nearly 200 Portland Public School 7th Graders as part of the pilot “Maker Experience” program, a program that has greatly expanded for this current school year.

The Museum’s curatorial team continues to grow and evolve to advance the Museum’s mission. Several new appointments were made this year, including Grace Kook-Anderson as the Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Curator of Northwest Art, Sangha Kim as the Cowles Curatorial Fellow in Asian Art, and Jeannie Kenmotsu as the Japan Foundation Assistant Curator of Japanese Art.

A number of important works were also added to the collection, including a stunning Spanish painting by Felipe Diriksen, a conceptual sculpture by Jeppe Hein, A commanding work by Portland-based artist Arvie Smith, an iconic, fifteenth-century woodcut by Renaissance master Albrecht Dürer, two contemporary photographs by Michael Cherney, inspired by traditional Japanese painting, a Chilkat robe by Tlingit artist and weaver Lily Hope, and a monumental contemporary photograph by Oregonian Corey Arnold.

Another major highlight was the repatriation of an eighteenth-century painting of Five Buddhas to its home in the Songgwangsa Monastery in Korea. The Museum and the Five Buddhas’ long-time owners, Robert and Sandra Mattieli, were welcomed in Korea earlier this year on a trip to see the painting returned to the monastery.

The Library and Collections Information Department continues to make more art and artifacts available to researchers and the public. Online Collections usage continues to increase each year, and forty-five percent of the permanent collection is currently online.

Financial Highlights
2017 marks the sixth year in a row that the Museum has ended the year with a balanced budget. Additional highlights include a nine percent increase in visitors, and another record-breaking year for earned income from admissions, store sales, and rental income.

Funding to support the Museum comes from a variety of revenue sources. Last year, 15% came from admissions and memberships, 14% from contributions and grants, and 13 percent from Museum Store sales and facility rental fees. New this year is the capital campaign in support of the expansion and renovation project, which accounted for 40%. The majority of expenses were used in support of Museum and Film Center programs and to acquire and preserve art.

By the Numbers

  • 330,000 people visited and participated in Museum and Film Center programs, with nearly one-third of those attending for free or at a reduced price.
  • 43,000 people participated in public programs, including lectures, artist talks, and in-gallery events.
  • 400 teachers attended educator-specific events throughout the year.
  • Nearly 700 Museum and Film Center docents and volunteers generously donated their time.
  • 3,500 high school students attended free Northwest Film Center Global Classroom screenings, and more than 1,300 students of all ages attended classes at the Northwest Film Center.