Oregon Contemporary

What Oregon Contemporary does

Oregon Contemporary (legal name: Oregon Center for Contemporary Art; formerly Disjecta Contemporary Arts Center) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit contemporary art organization founded in 2000 and headquartered in a 12,000+ square foot facility at 8371 N Interstate Avenue in Portland, Oregon's Kenton neighborhood. The institution operates primarily as a free public gallery and community programming space, delivering rotating exhibitions including the biennial Converge 45 (formerly the Portland/Artists' Biennial, adopted from Portland Art Museum in 2010), the regional-first Curator in Residence program (launched 2011), the Site large-scale installation series (launched 2021), Special Exhibitions, and the Platform Community Program. Programming is governed by a binding 50%+ BIPOC representation mandate maintained since 2019 and W.A.G.E. certification for fair artist compensation held since 2017.

The organization's core products and services comprise four functional lines: (1) free public exhibitions and over 299 events/programs supported 2023-2025 serving nearly 15,000 annual visitors; (2) ancillary earned revenue through Shop Ox (art books, prints, apparel), an on-site café, and venue rentals for private events and productions; (3) a tiered Membership and donations program starting at $25/month, with members receiving private event access, discounts, and (from 2025) a free drink at First Saturdays; and (4) curated support for 954 unique artists, curators, performers, and 130 partner organizations through tenant studio spaces, exhibitions, and statewide collaborations.

The business model is non-commercial: revenue is assembled from individual donations and memberships, foundation and government grants (Ford Family Foundation, Andy Warhol Foundation, Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Community Foundation, NEA, RACC, Oregon Cultural Trust), space rental fees, and modest café/Shop Ox sales. The organization is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors with mixed commercial and arts expertise and is led by Executive and Artistic Director Blake Shell. There is no parent company, no venture investment, and no equity ownership; revenue, donor totals, and visitor counts are partially disclosed via a 3-year impact report but full financials are not publicly available.

Name

Oregon Contemporary

Legal name

Oregon Center for Contemporary Art

Website

https://oregoncontemporary.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Oregon Contemporary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit contemporary art gallery in Portland, Oregon, offering free exhibitions, the Converge 45 Biennial, and artist development programs. It serves the general public, 954+ regional and underrepresented artists, and 130+ partner arts organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contemporary Art Gallery

NAICS

Museums (712110), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit) (THAJADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB), Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues) (MPAGALAC), Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG)

Keywords

• Contemporary art exhibitions
• Community arts programming
• Nonprofit gallery operations
• Artist residency programs
• Arts venue rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations & Memberships: Individual donations starting at $25/month for membership, providing exclusive invitations, event discounts, and café/shop discounts. Donations are tax-deductible as the organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
2. Foundation & Government Grants: Funding from major foundations including Ford Family Foundation, Autzen Foundation, Andy Warhol Foundation, Miller Foundation, NEA, Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Community Foundation, and others. The organization raised $835,975 in its Growth Plan campaign.
3. Space Rentals: The 12,000+ square foot facility is rented for private events, corporate parties, community meetings, photo/video shoots, and weddings. Rental fees support the organization's mission. Discounted rates available for nonprofit arts partners.
4. Café and Shop Revenue: Shop Ox sells art books, prints, exhibition catalogs, and apparel. The café serves beer, wine, and nonalcoholic beverages during events. Members receive 20% discount on purchases.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Oregon Contemporary operates a 12,000+ square foot contemporary arts facility in Portland's Kenton neighborhood presenting free exhibitions, biennials, site installations, performance programming, and community arts initiatives. The venue houses galleries, performance spaces, Shop Ox retail, a café, courtyard, and tenant studios, and earns supplemental revenue through venue rentals, memberships, donations, grants, and sponsorships.

Product overview

Oregon Contemporary (Ox) is a nonprofit contemporary art gallery that functions as a unified platform offering free exhibitions, community programs, and venue rental services. The organization operates its core gallery space in Portland's Kenton neighborhood with four primary offerings: (1) rotating contemporary art exhibitions through programs like the Artists' Biennial, Curator in Residence, and Site series; (2) Shop Ox, a retail space for art merchandise; (3) a café serving beverages during events; and (4) space rentals for private and community events. The organization is funded primarily through memberships, donations, grants, and rental fees, with all exhibitions offered free to the public.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Disjecta Studio: A dedicated space within Oregon Contemporary's building that honors the history of Oregon Contemporary, formerly known as Disjecta Contemporary Arts Center. It provides a dedicated place for performance, art, and events by artists and communities of Portland.

Products and services

• Oregon Contemporary Exhibitions & Programming Free public access to rotating contemporary art exhibitions, biennials, site installations, and performance programming at the 12,000+ sq ft facility. Aimed at the general public, art enthusiasts, students, and families in the Portland metro area and broader Pacific Northwest.
• Shop Ox On-site and online retail store selling contemporary art-adjacent merchandise and goods, powered by Square e-commerce. Operated as part of the venue's integrated arts and culture programming.
• Café at Oregon Contemporary On-site food and beverage service within the venue, available to visitors during gallery hours and as part of the broader visitor experience.
• Venue & Space Rentals Rental of gallery, performance, and courtyard spaces for private events, corporate functions, weddings, and community gatherings. Quote-based pricing aimed at event planners and corporate clients.
• Sustaining Membership Program Recurring sustaining membership program at $25/month or $100/year, providing individual donors with tax-deductible support of the organization's programming. Tiered to encourage different levels of philanthropic engagement.
• Charitable Donations One-time and recurring tax-deductible charitable contributions supporting exhibitions, BIPOC-led programming, and community arts initiatives. Accepted online via the donation platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 15,000 visitors annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sitka Center for Art and EcologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided unprecedented bridge funding for the 2026 Biennial after NEA withdrew support. Co-presenting Forum on the 4th event. Demonstrated solidarity with Oregon Contemporary during federal funding challenges.
• Portland Art MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner venue for the 2026 Artists' Biennial, providing exhibition space and collaboration.
• Carnation ContemporaryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTenant arts organization located in Oregon Contemporary's Studio 3. A cooperative gallery supporting emerging and mid-career Portland artists.
• Friends of NoiseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNonprofit organization in Studio 4 transforming BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth access to the music industry. An alcohol-free, all-ages venue.
• Well Well ProjectsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArtist-run gallery in Studio 1 providing representation and exhibition opportunities for artists.
• Open Space (Dance)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCreative container for dance and movement in Disjecta Studio and The Station on Denver Avenue. Offers community classes and professional training.
• MantelminorOthersKenton Business Partner - local business in the Kenton neighborhood.
• ParksideminorOthersKenton Business Partner - local business in the Kenton neighborhood.
• Fino SquareminorOthersKenton Business Partner - local business in the Kenton neighborhood.
• Hand2Mouth TheatreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the 2026 Artists' Biennial, contributing theatrical programming.
• KSMoCA (Ka'ila Smith Museum of Contemporary Art)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner venue for the 2026 Artists' Biennial exhibitions and programming.
• Ori GalleryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner venue for the 2026 Artists' Biennial, supporting LGBTQ+ arts programming.
• Race TalksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization partner for the 2026 Artists' Biennial.
• Multnomah County Central LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner venue for the 2026 Artists' Biennial.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• KSMoCA (Ka'ila Smith Museum of Contemporary Art): Small Portland-area Indigenous-led contemporary art space partnering with Oregon Contemporary on the 2026 Artists' Biennial. Comparable as a regional contemporary art presenter with similar equity/community mandates, though at smaller scale.

Direct peers

• Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA Boston): Boston contemporary art museum focused on new work by living artists. Comparable mission and programming format (rotating contemporary exhibitions, performance, education) to Oregon Contemporary.
• Museum of Contemporary Craft (now MoCA Portland): Portland-based contemporary art institution focused on craft and design. Directly comparable as a nonprofit gallery/museum presenting rotating contemporary exhibitions to the same Portland audience.
• Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA): Portland-based art college now part of Willamette University, focused on contemporary art education and exhibitions. Comparable Portland arts ecosystem player supporting artists, exhibitions, and curatorial practice.
• The Drawing Center: New York-based nonprofit dedicated to contemporary drawing and visual arts. Comparable as a focused nonprofit art institution presenting exhibitions, public programs, and curatorial projects.
• Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (CAMH): Houston-based nonprofit museum presenting contemporary art exhibitions and programs. Comparable as a free-admission, rotating-exhibition contemporary art museum with community programming and equity commitments.
• Portland Art Museum: Oregon's largest and oldest art museum and a former Biennial host. Comparable as a Portland-based contemporary and visual arts presenter serving similar audiences; partners with Oregon Contemporary on the 2026 Artists' Biennial.
• Henry Art Gallery: University of Washington-affiliated contemporary art museum in Seattle. Comparable as a Pacific Northwest contemporary art museum offering rotating exhibitions, performance programming, and community engagement.

Broad incumbents

• MASS MoCA: Large-scale contemporary art museum in North Adams, MA. Comparable as a converted-space contemporary art institution combining galleries, performance, and community programs at scale.
• Wexner Center for the Arts: Ohio State University-affiliated contemporary arts center with galleries, performance, and film programming. Comparable as a multidisciplinary contemporary arts presenter combining visual art, performance, and community programming.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/orcontemporary
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oregoncontemporary

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Oregon Contemporary