Portland Institute for Contemporary Art

The Portland Institute for Contemporary Art occupies dedicated gallery spaces in downtown Portland, featuring flexible performance venues and artist residency areas designed to accommodate experimental visual arts, multimedia installations, and interdisciplinary projects.

Founded in 1995, PICA emerged as a response to the lack of dedicated venues for contemporary experimental art in Portland, growing into a prominent institution that has shaped the city's artistic landscape over nearly three decades.

PICA supports avant-garde and emerging artists through programming that encourages experimentation across mediums including installation, dance, theater, and multimedia art, fostering dialogue around contemporary issues and artistic innovation within diverse communities.

Visitors can access PICA's facilities year-round through their website for upcoming events and exhibitions, with the venue located in downtown Portland offering easy public transportation access and flexible spaces for various performances.

The institute organizes the annual Time-Based Art Festival, a major event showcasing experimental performances, installations, and new works from national and international artists that stimulates discourse around contemporary arts practices.

Location: Portland

Inception: 1996

Official opening: 1995

Website: http://pica.org

GPS coordinates: 45.52179,-122.68152

Latest update: July 24, 2025 12:44