Portland's Arts for All program, which offers $5 tickets to SNAP and EBT cardholders at more than 60 venues across the region, officially separated from the Regional Arts & Culture Council on Aug. 19, relaunching as an independent community organization called Arts for All PDX.
The move returns the 15-year-old program to the kind of volunteer coalition that created it. Pat Zagelow, executive director of Friends of Chamber Music and one of the program's original founders, is co-leading Arts for All PDX alongside Michelle David. The transition followed recommendations from a RACC-organized steering committee of participating arts organizations.
RACC said in an announcement that it was excited to see the program return to a community-led model after four years of stewardship. The former RACC-hosted webpage now redirects to the new site at arts4allpdx.org.
What cardholders need to know
The $5 ticket benefit itself is unchanged. Oregonians and Washingtonians with a valid Oregon Trail, Quest or SNAP card still qualify at participating organizations. The card cannot be used to pay for tickets; cardholders pay by another method and show their benefit card as proof of eligibility.
To find events, check the organization list at arts4allpdx.org and contact venues directly. The new contact email is [email protected]; the phone number is 503-802-9425.
Participating venues span dance, music, theater, visual arts, literary events and cultural attractions. The roster includes Portland Center Stage, Oregon Children's Theatre, OMSI, Portland Japanese Garden, Pittock Mansion, Literary Arts, Portland Playhouse and Friends of Chamber Music, among others. Not all regional arts organizations participate.
How the program started
Arts for All traces back to January 2011, when twelve Portland classical music organizations in the Go Classical PDX coalition, convened by All Classical 89.9, launched a pilot called "Music for All." That six-month pilot moved 1,410 tickets. The full Arts for All program launched Oct. 3, 2011, expanding into theater, dance, galleries and museums.
RACC took over outreach and engagement in 2022 in collaboration with Friends of Chamber Music. Zagelow, who has spent 34 years in arts management, helped bridge both eras.
What's next
Arts for All PDX describes itself as a community-powered initiative but has not announced a formal launch event or specific outreach plans beyond this fall. Its formal incorporation status is not yet confirmed in public records. Residents can follow updates on the group's Facebook page.
Multnomah County Libraries' My Discovery Pass offers a separate free-admission option for library cardholders at many of the same venues.
Upcoming community events
- Arts for All PDX: Now accepting inquiries at [email protected] and 503-802-9425; fall outreach plans forthcoming
- Festa Italiana: Italian Festival in SE Portland, Aug. 23-24, with grape stomping, bocce and live music
