UPDATE—MARCH 27, 2020: The Portland Art Museum and Northwest Film Center are closed until further notice, in accordance with the community health order issued by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown. All previously scheduled public programs, tours, field trips, films, classes, events, and rental events have been canceled. Learn more.
Following the recommendations from the State of Oregon and the Oregon Health Authority to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Portland Art Museum and Northwest Film Center (NWFC) are canceling all public programs, tours, field trips, films (including all films and programming for the remainder of the Portland International Film Festival at the Whitsell Auditorium and at partner venues), classes, events, and rental events until April 8. The health and well-being of our visitors, staff and volunteers are our number one priority. Although many of our programs attract fewer than the 250-person limit recommended by Gov. Kate Brown, we are committed to doing our part to stem the spread of the disease.
Specific cancellation details can be found below. The Museum and NWFC are looking at options for rescheduling events and programming at a future date.
The Museum’s galleries will remain open Tuesdays through Sundays (Tues-Wed and Sat-Sun, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Thurs-Fri, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.). The 112,000 square feet of galleries on our campus allows for appropriate social distancing, and the Museum has implemented a number of measures to prioritize the health and safety of visitors, staff, and volunteers. These include increased cleaning in high-traffic areas and requiring that staff and volunteers who are sick stay home. The Museum and NWFC provide paid sick days to all employees and health insurance to all full-time employees.
There are multiple restrooms available for hand washing, and hand sanitizer available for guests. We encourage people who are sick to postpone their visit, and recommend that everyone follow public health guidelines to thwart the spread of the virus, including hand washing and coughing into elbows.
Museum and NWFC employees are also being asked to cancel non-essential in-person meetings, moving to phone calls and video conferences when possible, and to opt for phone calls, emails, and chat for communications. Business travel has also been restricted.
The business of showcasing art and presenting film from around the world involves many people working collaboratively. Our senior leadership team is closely monitoring developments and is connected with public health officials and colleagues from institutions across the city. We will keep visitors and stakeholders updated as the situation evolves.
We acknowledge that cancellations cause disappointment and real hardship for visitors, staff, artists, and partners. We appreciate the cooperation and patience of the Museum and NWFC community as we all take action to protect the health of our larger community. Thank you for your ongoing support.
Museum Public Program Cancellations
3/12 – 4/8 – All Public Tours and Art and Docent Council Activities
3/14 – Sensing Art
3/17- Art & Conversation
3/18 – Photography Brown Bag Talk
3/19 – Artist Talk
3/20 – In Dialogue
3/21- Mount St. Helens Saturday Programming
3/26 – Volcano Views & Brews, Sensing Art, New Member Tour
4/2 – Baby Hour and Art Conservation Clinic
4/4 – Mount St. Helens Saturday Programming
4/7 – Members Appreciation Week
4/8 – Midday Art Break
Northwest Film Center Public Program Updates
Wherever possible we will look to reschedule artist services, programming and classes for a future date.
3/12-4/8 – Winter Term Adult Classes are moving to online instruction.
3/12-4/8 – Equipment Rental Program is closed to new rental requests.
3/12-4/8 – Registration for Spring Term Adult Classes and Summer Camps remains open.
Portland International Film Festival Cancellations
3/13 – All Screenings, Events, and Guest Curation Programs (at PAM & all affiliated cinemas and venues)
3/14 – All Screenings, Events, Future/Forward Youth Program, Talks, Panels and Workshops (at PAM & all affiliated cinemas and venues)
3/15 – All Screenings, Events, Member Mixers, Panels, and Workshops (at PAM & all affiliated cinemas and venues)
The Northwest Film Center building at 934 SW Salmon St. is closed to the public. We will honor all existing equipment reservations, but will not make any new ones until further notice. We are suspending our drop-in hours until further notice.
Ticket purchasers for PIFF 43 screenings that have been canceled can contact the box office at 503-276-4310 or email ato@nwfilm.org, 12-6 p.m. daily. We are also offering 2 free vouchers for regularly priced film screenings at the Whitsell Auditorium in place of a refund. PIFF 43 pass holders may exchange their pass for a year’s membership to the Northwest Film Center.
Event Rental Cancellations
3/13 – Roberts-Deiz Awards Dinner (Oregon Women Lawyers)
3/14 – Catlin Gabel Auction 2020
3/17 – Becker Capital Management
3/18 – Downtown Bible Class
3/25 – Downtown Bible Class
3/31 – Portland Opera Recital, Baritone Geoffrey Schellenberg
4/03 – Casa (Changed event dates)
4/04 – Homeward: Transition Projects Impact Gala 2020 (Changed event dates)
4/01 – Downtown Bible Class
4/08 – Downtown Bible Class
4/18 – OCI Graduation
In our ongoing commitment to keep you informed, please visit our website, portlandartmuseum.org, for important up-to-date information. Other quick resources:
For Northwest Film Center and Portland International Film Festival ticket exchange questions, please call 503-221-1156.
For Portland Art Museum ticket questions, please call 503-226-2811.
For questions about rental events at the Museum, please call 503-276-4291.
For questions about membership events, please call 503-276-4249.