The Portland Center for the Performing Arts (PCPA) has changed its name to Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, or Portland’5.
The new name emphasizes the five theatres under the organization’s management: Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Keller Auditorium and the Brunish, Newmark and Dolores Winningstad Theatres located inside Antoinette Hatfield Hall, which also includes Portland’5’s administrative offices.
Portland’5 launched a new website today (www.portland5.com) that includes enhanced ticket selling capabilities, greater functionality, including a smart phone application, and detailed event information for each theatre.
Portland’5 executive director Robyn Williams explained that changing the organization’s name was not the primary goal at the outset but, in the end, makes perfect sense.
“The PCPA brand had gone unchanged for the twenty-five years we have been in operation and it was time for a refreshed and updated look,” Williams said. “As we engaged our stakeholders for feedback, it became abundantly clear that the PCPA name was much less relevant to local arts groups and patrons than the theatres themselves.”
“Our mission is to serve this community’s nonprofit arts organizations, and we do this through managing these historic and iconic performance spaces for them,” she continued. “Now we are better positioned to assist them in marketing and sales, which is a win-win for everyone.”
The Portland’5 theatres are owned by the city of Portland and managed by Metro and the Metropolitan Exposition Recreation Commission (MERC) through an intergovernmental agreement.
A recent Metro Council briefing on the name change drew overwhelming support and accolades.
In addition, Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish, who serves as the city’s liaison to MERC and the Regional Arts and Culture Council, stated in a letter of support that the new name “breathes new life into our historic venues ... and will help Portland’5 find new audiences.” The Portland City Council is expected to issue a proclamation in support of the name change at its meeting on September 11, 2013.
Portland-based Sockeye Creative developed the new name, logos and website, which is designed to allow consumers to purchase tickets in a matter of a few simple clicks on a computer, tablet or smart phone.
“A patron’s ability to quickly and easily find our shows and purchase tickets is extremely important to us,” said Anne Francis, vice president of Broadway Across America. “We are pleased to see that the new Portland’5 website does just that!”
“We’re thrilled at the response we’ve received so far,” said Williams. “Especially so, from our partners in the arts community,” she added.
About Portland’5 Centers for the Arts
Portland’5 Centers for the Arts is a leader in expert venue management, overseeing the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Keller Auditorium and Antoinette Hatfield Hall, which includes the Brunish, Newmark and Dolores Winningstad Theatres.
Home to arts organizations such as Oregon Ballet Theatre, Oregon Symphony Orchestra and Portland Opera, it is the 5th largest performing arts center in the U.S. and generates an average of $60 million in regional spending through its operations.
Portland’5 is operated by Metro and managed through the Metropolitan Exposition and Recreation Commission (MERC). Visit www.portland5.com for more information.
Metro, the regional government, crosses city limits and county lines to build a resilient economy, keep nature close by and respond to a changing climate. Representing a diverse population of 1.5 million people in 25 cities and three counties, Metro’s directly elected council gives voters a voice in decisions about how the region grows and communities prosper.