OUR CITY'S NEXT BIG ACT
Portland’s renewed spirit and sustained economic vitality will be fueled by unique places across our city where people come together to share meaningful educational and cultural experiences. Opening in 2030, the Performing Arts + Culture Center will be a remarkable, multi-faceted downtown arts complex supporting our region’s entire arts ecosystem. It will be a spectacular new center of gravity for patrons, performers, presenters, artists, visitors and students of all ages to joyfully engage with the performing arts — and for Portland to reclaim center stage in our region’s cultural life and national story.
Why it Matters
The proposed Performing Arts + Culture Center will be an engine of Portland’s arts economy. This state-of-the-art performance destination will connect communities throughout our state and nurture future artists. Downtown Portland is on the rise, and this is an exciting next step.
Tina Kotek, Oregon Governor
Investments in important catalytic projects like this one are one part of the recipe for success as we work to revitalize our central city.
Keith Wilson, Portland Mayor
The Center will enhance educational experiences, foster creativity and serve as a cultural hub for Portland.
Julie Vigeland, Community Arts Leader
This center supports the entire arts ecosystem, ensuring our city’s culture remains a core economic driver.
Jon Isaacs, Portland Metro Chamber
I’ve proudly supported this project from the beginning because investments in arts and culture strengthen our economy, education and downtown—and boldly sing the song of our city and who we can be for generations to come.
Dacia Grayber, Oregon State Representative
For small arts organizations like ours, access to affordable performance space can make all the difference. It’s exciting to see new ideas like the Center being designed to support not just large productions but the full range of artists in our community.
Cris Mikkelsen, Conductor, Mt. Hood Pops Community Orchestra
This vision sparks an incredible cultural district, a downtown economic boon, and national news about something bold happening in Portland.
Christine and David Vernier, Community Leaders
Many of our members have built their careers around Portland's stages. A purpose-built venue at PSU means more productions, more opportunities for entertainment workers and more affordable performance space for our community. IATSE Local 28 is proud to endorse this project.
Rose Etta Venetucci, IATSE Local 28
When national editors ask me for a Portland arts story, they tend to want a story about what went wrong. This is a once-in-a-generation chance to tell a new story about what went right.
Daniel Pollack-Pelzner, author of 'Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist'
City Life Advances Resolution
The City of Portland’s City Life Committee voted to advance to the full City Council a resolution supporting moving ahead with planning for a City-owned Broadway theater at the Center – as well as launching a public planning process to determine what is next for Keller Auditorium.
Advisory Groups Favor PSU Site
Mayor Keith Wilson’s Ex-Officio Table and the City of Portland’s Future of Large-Scale Performing Arts Steering Committee recommend advancing a new Broadway-capable venue at Portland State University as part of the proposed Performing Arts + Culture Center.
Stage Union Endorses Center
The proposed Performing Arts + Culture Center project has earned the formal endorsement of IATSE Local 28, the union representing Portland’s stagehands, technicians and production workers, citing lasting growth opportunities and benefits for its members.
Colas Development Group Steps Up
Portland State University has entered into an exclusive negotiating agreement with Colas Development Group to bring the Performing Arts + Culture Center’s 150-room hotel and conference center to life, enhancing downtown culture, entertainment, and investment by 2030.
Economic Report Supports Center
A new economic impact analysis commissioned by the City of Portland confirms that the proposed Performing Arts + Culture Center at Portland State University will deliver greater long-term economic impact while strengthening the city’s arts ecosystem and supporting downtown.
Landmark State Investment
Before the Oregon State Legislature adjourned in June 2025, the Portland Performing Arts + Culture Center received $137.5 million in committed state bond funding — a win for Portland and for Oregon that reflects the project's acknowledged statewide significance.
