RACC-funded organizations are required to make their performances, exhibits and other programs available to the public, without discriminating on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, sex, marital status, political opinion, familial status, national origin, age, gender, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, military status, gender identity and source of income or disability status. All RACC-funded events must take place in venues that are fully accessible for people with disabilities.
Most arts organizations offer a number of free and reduced cost admission opportunities, and many participate in the “Arts for All” program, providing $5 tickets to low-income Oregonians who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance through the Oregon Trail Card. Many of these arts organizations also have free days throughout the year- so check their websites as those dates may change. Often those over then 65 and under 18 receive a discount as well as veterans, educators, and more. Many museums across the state of Oregon participate in Museums for All, which ensures access to museums free of charge or reduced when you show your EBT/SNAP or Oregon Trail Card. Click here for a list.
Multnomah County Libraries offer the My Discovery Pass. This is a unique partnership with local arts and culture organizations which free passes to community members with a valid library card. Go here for a list of participating organizations.
Below is a summary of only some of the free and reduced cost admission opportunities among local arts organizations. Please visit their websites for the most up to date information and how to connect. Some still have COVID 19 restrictions and precautions in place.
- Artists Repertory Theatre: Pay What You Can performances; $5 tickets through Arts for All
- Blue Sky Gallery: Free admission for all exhibitions and public programs.
- Cappella Romana: $5 tickets through Arts for All
- Chamber Music Northwest: Student and senior discounts; $5 tickets through Arts for All; free community concerts during the Summer Festival; free brown-bag discussions (“Food for Thought: Composers a la Carte”), free public Master Classes.
- Disjecta Contemporary Art Center: Exhibitions are free and open to the public.
- Echo Theatre Company (formerly Do Jump!): Free and reduced price physical theater workshops for Title 1 schools.
- Fear No Music pay what you will admission for yearly concert series. Check their website for information.
- Film Action Oregon/Hollywood Theatre: Student and senior discounts.
- Friends of Chamber Music: $5 tickets through Arts for All; $5 student rush tickets; free admission to partner schools; $10 tickets to satellite concerts in McMinnville.
- Independent Publishing Resource Center: “Teen Zine Canteen” is free for youth and their parents on Sundays. The Center’s Small Press library is free and open to the public.
- Lakewood Center for the Arts: Student and senior discounts; rush tickets; several free programs open to the public.
- Literary Arts, Inc.: 82% of events are offered free of charge.
- Littman + White Galleries: free and open to the public.
- Live Wire! Radio: $5 tickets through Arts for All.
- Metropolitan Youth Symphony: Free tickets given away to students and community organizations; concerts in schools.
- Miracle Theatre Group: $5 tickets through Arts for All.
- Northwest Children’s Theater & School: $5 tickets through Arts for All; free tickets to community organizations.
- Northwest Dance Project: $5 tickets through Arts for All and other groups; numerous free performances; half-price student/senior rush tickets.
- NW Documentary Arts & Media: Several free programs including the DocTalk series, and Recording Resilience at The Dougy Center.
- Oregon Ballet Theatre: $5 tickets through Arts for All; 1,000 free Nutcracker tickets distributed to low-income children and families; merit- and need-based scholarships for the dance school; $2 tickets for school performances; OBT Exposed free rehearsals and performances in the park.
- Oregon Children’s Theatre: Free and discounted tickets for students and teachers; $5 tickets through Arts for All; National Free Night of Theater.
- Oregon Symphony Association: Endeavors to restore the free concert at Waterfront Park; free Symphony Storytimes events in public libraries; free ensemble performances throughout the Portland metro area; $5 tickets through Arts for All; free tickets for low-income students kinderkonzerts and Young People’s Concerts.
- PlayWrite, Inc.: Free admission to all performances.
- Portland Art Museum: Free admission for children 17 and under always; free admission for the general public on select days.
- The Portland Ballet: $5 tickets through Arts for All; Pay What You Will performances.
- Portland Baroque Orchestra: $5 tickets through Arts for All.
- Portland Center Stage: Rush tickets, $5 tickets through Arts for All, free tickets to youth participating in the Stage Door program; Pay What You Will performances.
- Portland Chamber Orchestra: Student and senior discounts. Free tickets for school groups and retirement homes.
- Portland Columbia Symphony: $5 tickets through Arts for All.
- Portland Gay Men’s Chorus: $5 tickets through Arts for All; free outdoor concerts throughout the year.
- Portland Institute for Contemporary Art: Free and reduced cost tickets for students.
- Portland Opera: $5 tickets through Arts for All; student and senior discounts; a variety of concerts, recitals, previews, lectures and other programs throughout the year.
- Portland Piano International: $5 tickets through Arts for All; student rush tickets.
- Portland Taiko: $5 tickets through Arts for All; free community performances throughout the year.
- Portland Youth Philharmonic: $5 tickets through Arts for All.
- Profile Theatre Project: Free performances at schools and community centers throughout Portland; $5 tickets through Arts for All; other ticket discounts.
- Tears of Joy Theatre: Free performances at libraries; $5 tickets through Arts for All; reduced price tickets, workshops and residencies for Title I schools.
- The Third Angle New Music Ensemble: $5 tickets through Arts for All; $5 student rush tickets.
- Third Rail Repertory Theatre: $5 tickets through Arts for All; Pay What You Will performances.
- White Bird: $5 tickets through Arts for All; half-price student/senior/dancer rush tickets; complimentary tickets to community organizations.
- Write Around Portland: Workshops are offered free of charge.
- Arts for Learning Northwest: Provides programs for free or low cost to students and schools throughout the region.