Tough economic times at the Portland Art Museum has forced the examination of their direction and caused a reduction in staff, salaries, and an increase in admission price. Though membership and attendance is down, this does not mean closure for PAM. However, it means rethinking exactly what it is and who it serves.
Having been closely involved for a year as a PAM docent-in-training, I have experienced the intense training program required of docents, the passion of the curators, and heard from museum director, Brian Ferrisco on the new direction the museum is heading. Having come to the museum with a passion for art, I am aware of the preconceived notion by some that this edifice to fine art seems to have a social wall up to the common folk amongst us. However, in listening to Ferrisco, I am aware he is gently pulling this ship in a new direction.
This economic downturn has hit PAM hard and has forced the director to change course sooner than later. Brian Ferrisco has been a breath of fresh air because he is moving the museum to a more community-focused local resourced direction instead offering the super blockbuster exhibits that please a few prominent individuals.
I am hoping that Ferrisco will be forced to look eastward past the Willamette River to see that there is a huge population out there who may not have ever visited the museum. A population that is ethically mixed with a culture and society different from museum trustees. Now is the time to reach out to these people and welcome them into the fold. In other words, what Ferrisco should be asking is what can the Portland Art Museum do for you?
