PORTLAND, ORE.- The Portland Art Museum (PAM) today announced the completion of its $116 million capital campaign in support of the Museum’s campus transformation opening on November 20, 2025. Marking one of the most significant investments in the arts in the history of Oregon, PAM’s capital campaign supports the expansion and renovation of its campus to reimagine the visitor experience and make the museum and its growing collections more accessible to all. The Museum raised $5M over its original capital goal to account for ongoing enhancements. The Museum has also raised $28.4M towards its $30M endowment campaign, which supports ongoing operations, endows curatorial and leadership positions, and more, ensuring PAM’s sustainability as a vital cultural resource for audiences throughout Oregon and Washington for generations to come.
Designed in partnership by Portland’s Hennebery Eddy Architects and Chicago-based Vinci Hamp Architects, the Museum’s transformation project connects PAM’s two historic buildings, adding nearly 100,000 square feet of new or upgraded public and gallery space, providing increased access to exhibitions and programs, updated amenities that address the needs of more diverse audiences, and new ways to experience the robust collection. Upon reopening next month, the galleries will feature a complete reinstallation of the Museum’s wide-ranging collection, highlighting nearly 300 major new acquisitions including works by Jeffrey Gibson, Ugo Rondinone, Marie Watt, Carrie Mae Weems, Simone Leigh, and more.
The successful completion of the capital campaign, which was 98% privately funded, was made possible by the generous support of more than 1,000 individual donors, including 49 who have made gifts of $1 million or more to the Museum’s broader Connection Campaign, which encompasses both capital and endowment initiatives. Contributions to the overall campaign range in size from five dollars to $13.5 million. Lead campaign gifts include $13.5 million from Arlene Schnitzer, $8 million from an anonymous donor, $5 million from Mary and Tim Boyle, $5 million from Trudy and Pat Ritz, $5 million from Nani S. Warren, $5 million from Helen Jo and Bill Whitsell, and $5 million from an anonymous donor. The capital campaign was formally completed thanks to a $1.1 million gift from longtime PAM supporters Fred and Gail Jubitz, for whom the Museum’s modern and contemporary galleries are named, bringing their total contribution to the campaign to over $4 million.
“The overwhelming support from our community for the Portland Art Museum speaks to the important role this cultural institution plays in our city and the greater region as a dynamic and vibrant civic, educational, and cultural resource,” said Brian Ferriso, The Arlene & Harold Schnitzer Director of the Portland Art Museum. “The generosity of our over 1,000 donors with gifts of all sizes, enables us to better serve all our audiences and to continue to fulfill our mission to connect the community with art that reflects their own experiences, voices, and personal journeys for years to come.”
Cyndy Maletis, chair of the Portland Art Museum board, commented, “I am deeply grateful for the generous support from the individuals, foundations, and businesses in Portland and across the region who recognize and value the impact of the arts on our city and its downtown. For more than a century, this museum has served as a beacon of inspiration in the Northwest and with this expansion, we can ensure it continues to thrive into the next century.”
PAM’s campus is a cornerstone of the downtown Portland cultural district, and as the only major art museum between Seattle and San Francisco, serves as an essential lifeline for the region with a diverse slate of exhibitions and programs that highlight art from around Oregon, the region, and the world.
PAM’s Connection Campaign is co-chaired by Alix Meier Goodman and Angela Snow.
