For years, Beaverton residents and business leaders alike have expressed the need for a new professional arts and entertainment venue for performances, meetings, festivals, and events to serve the region. In addition, a study commissioned by the Regional Arts and Culture Council in 2010 identified a shortage of performance spaces in the Portland Metropolitan area. Portland arts and culture organizations are seeking to expand their audience reach, particularly in the most diverse and economically vital county in the region.
The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts (PRCA) will fill this much-needed gap as part of the City of Beaverton’s urbanizing downtown. Located adjacent to light rail in the emerging arts and innovation district, the PRCA will be the crown jewel of downtown Beaverton where, for the last several years, Beaverton has invested significantly in its core area, spurring new hotel development, apartment homes, restaurants, and other amenities. The PRCA will serve as the anchor to the northern end of downtown, offering a creative gathering place for residents and visitors alike.
The PRCA will be the first performing arts center of its kind to be built in the Portland metro area in more than 30 years. The facility will include a 550-seat theater, art gallery, rehearsal, workshop and meeting space, lobby, outdoor plaza, and parking structure. With innovative offerings in the performing arts – theater, music and dance – the PRCA will be a beacon for civic engagement, creative learning and greater social cohesion.
RCTP funds will be used to help close the private fundraising gap and facilitate construction commencement in fall 2019 and for capital expenditures.
The Washington County Visitors Association also provided additional funding from its budget, as approved by its board of directors. Other funding partners included:
- City of Beaverton
- Beaverton Arts Foundation
- Beaverton Arts Commission
- Beaverton Chamber of Commerce
- Regional Arts & Culture Council
- Tualatin Valley Creates
Goals
Travel Oregon’s 2019 survey of stakeholders in the Portland Region revealed 17% indicating a need to improve curb appeal of main streets and city centers, and 6% requesting more opportunities to experience fine arts, culture and heritage.
The need for new professional arts and entertainment venues for performances, meetings, festivals, and events to serve the region is well established. A study commissioned by the Regional Arts and Culture Council in 2010 identified a shortage of performance spaces in the Portland Metropolitan area. Portland arts and culture organizations are seeking to expand their audience reach, particularly in the most diverse and economically vital county in the region. When the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts is completed in 2022, it will provide a new center of cultural activity in Washington County and the west side of Portland.
Results
The project is still under construction and the anticipated completion date is 2022. The fundraising goals for the capital campaign have been met.
