Accessibility

Low vision and blind Museum visitors experiencing artist Hank Willis Thomas’s “14,719.”

Updated 2/19/24

The Portland Art Museum is committed to providing meaningful access to our visitors. Below is information that can help ensure your visit is as accessible as possible.

Thank you for your support as we embark on a journey to make our campus more accessible. Please check back here before future visits to receive the most up to date information on how the construction is impacting the campus. 

Several of our galleries are closed to allow for the expansion. Please enjoy these exciting exhibitions that are on view. 

  • Black Artists of Oregon, 2nd floor (September 9, 2023-March 31, 2024). 
  • Throughlies: Connections in the Collection, 2nd floor (October 28, 2023-November 1, 2024)
  • Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting Edge Kicks will be on view on the 1st floor (March 30, 2024-August 11, 2024) 
  • The Jubitz Center for Modern and Contemporary Art will be closed until construction is completed.

You may hear construction noises and feel vibration during your visit. Earplugs and noise canceling headphones are welcome. Museum staff have complimentary foam earplugs available. Please inquire at the box office or ask staff in the galleries. You will see construction workers wearing protective gear walking through the space. The majority of the construction work will be conducted during weekdays, so visiting on weekends will be quieter.

Please feel free to reach out with questions and feedback.

Accessibility questions or feedback

access@pam.org

503-276-4284: phone

503-420-3169: direct videophone for Deaf visitors

Purchasing tickets

  • Ticket purchasing: Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office. If these processes aren’t accessible to you, please contact our access email or phone line for assistance.
  • Admission access programs: Reduced ticket prices are available for visitors through our Admission Access Programs.
  • Complimentary companion tickets: Companions and care-providers accompanying Disabled visitors receive free admission. Purchase your ticket then email or call us with your name, contact info, date/time of your ticket, and request a companion ticket and we will reserve one that will be waiting for you at the box office.

Getting to the Museum

Accessible entrance

There is currently only one entrance – located at SW Park and Jefferson. There is a curb cut and a large temporary ramp that leads to the glass doors. Staff are available to assist in opening the manual doors – just wave and they will come open it.

Note – the sidewalk and parking on SW Park Ave (west side) next to the museum will be closed for construction. Please use the sidewalk on the east side of SW Park Ave (park side) to cross at the intersection of SW Park and Jefferson . There are curb cuts on both ends of the block. If there are obstacles on the sidewalk preventing passage, please let us know.

Transportation

TriMet Lift

The best place for drop off and pick up is in front of the museum entrance (1219 SW Park Ave Portland, OR 97205). This may change during different points in construction and updates will be posted.

The museum is located near the following stops and lines:

  • The Art Museum stop (6493) on the NS and A loop streetcar lines.
  • The SW 11 and Jefferson (10759) stop on the NS and B loop streetcar lines.
  • The SW 10th and Jefferson bus stop (3049) serving lines 6, 38, 45, 55, 58, 68.

Parking

There are two metered accessible parking spaces on the west side of the museum on 10th Avenue with a 4-hour limit. The spaces in front of the museum on Park will be closed due to construction. We are partnering with the city to get additional accessible spaces added in the vicinity and will update this information when they are finalized. The paid parking lot next to the museum at the intersection of Park and Main has four accessible parking spaces. Prices in the lot vary and at times the kiosk is turned off which means the Reef mobile app must be used to pay.

Elevators

  • All galleries in the museum can be accessed via elevators. 
  • If an elevator is out of order, a notice will be posted on the top banner of our website and on our social media accounts.
  • If an elevator is out, staff may be able to assist with alternate routes.
  • Most special exhibitions start on the second floor. Use the elevator and choose either 1st or 2nd floor on the back elevator door, and exit into the gallery. From here you can navigate to the hallway to the beginning of the exhibition. Staff are happy to assist with directions.
  • The elevator is equipped with a call button in case of emergency. There are multiple evacuation devices designed to assist mobility device users in safely navigating the stairs if an elevator is not available.

Restrooms

There are currently two sets of restrooms available in the main building. 

There is an all gender restroom on the first floor just off of the Collins Special Exhibition Gallery. Note this restroom may not be available during exhibition installation/deinstallation. There is a carpeted ramp up into the restrooms from the hallway. At the top of the ramp on the right is an accessible stall with a motion sensor door opener. Please note the lock is manual and if not locked the door will open when others pass by. 

There are three additional stalls with floor to ceiling doors, one to the left and two to the right. Soap and paper towels are located under the mirrors above the sink. A baby changing station drops from the wall to the right of the sink and there is a hygiene product dispenser to the right.

Restrooms on the second floor are gendered and have stalls, including an accessible stall. There is a baby changing table and hygiene product dispenser in the women’s restroom. None have automatic doors, but the doors will be propped open. Please notify staff if the door stops have been removed and they will replace them. To get to the restrooms use the elevator and press the floor 2 restroom sign. When you exit, go to the left and follow the signs to the restrooms.

Standard accessibility offerings

Service animals

Service animals are welcome. If you would like to pre-plan your visit please contact us at access@pam.org; 503-276-4284 phone; or 503-420-3169 direct videophone for Deaf visitors.

Seating

Benches are placed throughout the gallery spaces and are moved depending on the layout of each exhibition. There are some galleries which are too small for benches. Folding chairs and gallery stools are always available and can be used in any gallery. See staff if you would like to utilize one of these during your visit.

Mobility devices

Manual wheelchairs and walkers free of charge. We currently have 11 wheelchairs and 5 walkers. They are generally available without a reservation, but we do encourage reservations during busy times such as events, free admission days, or popular exhibitions.

Please use the information below to determine which item would best meet your needs, then email or call us with your name, date and time of visit, and the item you are requesting. We will put the reservation in our internal system and our Visitor Services Associates will have it ready for you when you check in at the box office.

Wheelchair sizes

  • Youth: 125 lb capacity
  • Adult small: 250 lb capacity, seat 16 wide x 15 deep
  • Adult Medium: 250 lb capacity, seat 18 wide x 15 1/2 deep
  • Adult Large: 250 lb capacity, seat 18 wide x 18 deep
  • Adult X Large: 500 lb capacity, seat 23 1/2 wide x 17 deep

Walker types

  • 3 have four wheels, with seats and handbrakes
  • 1 has four wheels and a seat, but is made for standing taller while walking
  • 1 has two wheels in the front and does not have a seat or brakes

Assistive technology

Magnifiers

  • 2 8.5×11 hard plastic magnification sheets
  • 1 handheld stronger magnifier with a built in light

Flashlights

  • Small pocket flashlight, approved by the Collections Team that can be used for reading labels

EnChroma glasses

Soon we will have multiple pairs of EnChroma glasses that help visitors who have red/green colorblindness see more color available for checkout. More information coming soon.

iPad

This can be used as a digital magnifier, can be used to access high resolution images of permanent collection objects via the online database, and can access accessible digital labels and wall text on the exhibition webpages.

Tactile representations

Four 3D Tactile Graphics of four objects from the permanent collection will be available soon. Watch for Sensing Art on the exhibition page. The museum is working to increase opportunities for tactile exploration of art.

Audio guides

The Bloomberg Connects app is a free app that provides free digital guides to museums, galleries, gardens, public art, festivals, historic sites, and more, expanding access to the arts and culture around the world. The Portland Art museum is one of the first museums in the Pacific Northwest to join over 200 other museums in launching the Bloomberg Connects app.

The audio guides have accompanying transcripts. Content can be accessed virtually any time. Please reach out if you have any additional access requests related to the app.

Bloomberg Connects

Download the free app

Photosensitivity notices

We aim to provide notices of any art that may trigger photosensitivity. Please feel free to contact us and ask for a current list.

Accessible digital labels

Most special exhibitions will have accessible digital labels posted on the special exhibition webpage. This will include the content of all object labels and wall text. QR codes that link to these labels will be available in the galleries. These are typically available about 1 month after the exhibition opens.

Image descriptions

We are currently working to provide image descriptions for as many objects as possible in our special exhibitions. A small team works to get them out as quickly as possible. If you’d like to join our email list to receive updates please let us know. They will be added to the accessible digital labels as they are completed.

Audio description

We are working towards creating audio descriptions for all media on view. If you encounter one that does not have this and would like a description please let us know.

Captioning

We are working towards captioning or transcripts available for all media on view. If you encounter one that does not have this please let us know. We provide automated real time captioning for most in-person and virtual programming. If you’d like to request CART or TypeWell please contact us in advance of the program with your request.

Assistive listening devices

T-coil compatible FM assistive listening devices with neck loops or headphones for those without hearing aids are available free of charge for tours, programs, and film screenings. Please email or call in advance to let us know you would like to utilize them and staff will have them ready at the event. You may bring your own headphones with a standard 3.5mm jack.

Event accessibility

Unless noted, all event spaces are wheelchair accessible. We aim to provide ASL/English interpreters and automated real time captioning for public programs, both virtual and in real life. We also aim to have assistive listening devices available for in person programs. We will ask speakers to provide verbal descriptions and to describe images shared in presentations. Audio description is available with advance requests. Each program calendar event page will outline the accessibility planned and provide instructions for how to make requests. If one doesn’t, please feel free to contact us and we will update the page.

YouTube channel

All current programs uploaded to YouTube will have corrected captions and we aim to provide ASL/English Interpreting with them also. Transcripts can be viewed on YouTube or you can reach out to request a copy of a program transcript. You may also contact us to request audio description.

Guided tours

All accessibility focused guided tours, including artNOW and Sensing Art, are currently paused. We welcome individuals and groups to come independently. If you have questions or would like assistance gathering resources before your visit please reach out via email or phone. If you would like to be added to the email list to be notified when these tours start again please let us know.

Website information

If our website is not accessible to you, please reach out and we will be happy to provide the information in an alternate format.

Feedback

We are constantly working to be more accessible and inclusive. We welcome your feedback and ideas. You can give feedback on your after-visit survey or reach out directly. If you would like to speak with our Head of Accessibility, Becky Emmert, just make that request in your message and she will reach out to you as soon as possible. access@pam.org

503-276-4284: message phone

503-420-3169: direct videophone for Deaf visitors