PICA Is Getting a New Home in Northeast Portland

The new wave of artsy Portland is here. PICA (the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art) is the most recent arts organization to get a new home.

PICA's new 16,000 square-foot space at Northeast Hancock and Williams Avenue is funded by a philanthropic gift from Allie Furlotti of the Calligram Foundation, who moved here from L.A. a few years ago and says her mission is to inject money into Portland's under-funded art scene.

2015 was not a good year for creative spaces. Conduit dance got kicked out by a rich, national trance-dance chain. Kickstand comedy was shut down by the Fire Marshal. Polaris dance couldn't afford it's space near Artists Rep. R.I.P. Habesha.

This year, this are looking up. PICA joins the next class of arts organizations that have found new homes, including Oregon Ballet Theater on the Southwest Waterfront, Northwest Dance Project's massive new space and The Siren Theater in Old Town.

"PICA needs a secure home and spaces for large scale projects," wrote Furlotti is a press release. "Their annual Time-Based Art Festival is endangered in the shifting Portland landscape. I don't want to know what Portland is like without PICA."

The Redd hosted PICA's whopping TBA parties last year, which included a full bar underneath a two-story, antique metal press and a packed kick-off with Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks.

PICA turns 21 this month too. And it's throwing another massive party at The Redd to celebrate. Tickets for the gala are $250.

What, you didn't get a 16,000 square foot home in Northeast for your 21st? Don't cry gentrification yet. The after-party birthday party is $5, and tall boys are $1.

Portland arts organizations are rallying. And they still drink PBR.

Willamette Week