Page 8
July 24, 2024
Arts &
ENTERTAINMENT
Keller Auditorium Closure Proposal Concerns
Portland Opera
Supports Alternative
Location
After months of reflection,
Portland Opera announces its full
support of Portland State Univer-
sity as the alternative location for
a new performance venue to re-
place the Keller Auditorium.
Portland Opera has deep con-
cerns regarding the Halprin Land-
scape Conservancy’s proposal
requiring a staggered closure of
the Keller. In previous statements
addressing the potential impact of
this closure, Portland Opera em-
phasized the severe consequences
a complete closure would have on
the organization, and the broader
arts community.
“The arts community in
Portland was devastated by
COVID-19, especially the Port-
land Opera,” said Carole Morse,
Portland Opera Board chair.
“Thanks to our wonderful part-
ners, staff, donors and subscribers,
we are slowly coming back. The
Halprin Landscape Conservancy’s
The Keller Auditorium. Photo by M.O. Stevens
proposal would close the Keller
for two to three years, undo all our
efforts, and essentially force us to
go through pandemic-level im-
pacts again.” The performing arts
sector was among the hardest hit
during the pandemic, being one
of the first to shut down and the
last to reopen. The extended clo-
sure caused significant financial
and emotional strain on countless
individuals and organizations that
depend on venues like Keller Au-
ditorium for their survival. Anoth-
er disruption would exacerbate
this trauma, particularly for those
whose jobs and livelihoods are
contingent on work at the Keller.
“The Keller Auditorium re-
maining open until a new one is
built is not only key to rebuilding
our performances and revenue, but
also necessary for our continued
existence,” said Sue Dixon, Gen-
eral Director and CEO of Portland
Opera. “Closing the Keller, even
for one day, threatens the arts
community and all of the artists,
performers, technicians and sup-
port staff who all contribute to a
thriving arts ecosystem.”
The proposed Keller renova-
tion project by Halprin would re-
quire full or periodic shutdowns,
which would have a significant
impact on the Portland Opera’s
finances. In contrast, the PSU
project presents a more practi-
cal and less disruptive option,
allowing continued operations
of the existing Keller Auditori-
um until the new replacement is
built five blocks away on a large
four-acre parcel.
“We cannot afford to under-
mine the progress we have made
in recovering from the pandem-
ic’s effects on the arts sector,”
said Dixon. “We have a respon-
sibility to our employees, the
community who benefit from the
arts in so many ways, and future
Oregonians who one day may sit
in a beautiful 21st-century venue
on PSU’s campus and experience
performances put on by a thriving
arts community.”
Metro conducted a study that
estimates a two-year closure
would cost nearly $100 million in
lost economic benefit, particularly
at a time when downtown Port-
land is still recovering. The Port-
land City Council is scheduled
to discuss the proposals again on
August 14th.
“It is crucial that we support
the continuity and growth of
our cultural institutions,” said
Dixon. “We strongly urge the
City Council to reject Halprin’s
Keller renovation project in fa-
vor of endorsing PSU as the
most viable solution.”
Summer EBT
is Available
Continued from Page 6
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Health
Matters
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