On September 24, TEMPOart participated in the biennial Creative Portland Arts & Culture Summit, a dynamic convening of Portland’s arts community. This year’s summit, part of Creative Portland’s ongoing cultural planning process, addressed the city’s strategic priorities, including branding Portland as a creative hub.

TEMPOart Board Member Sue Lambe shared insights from her experience managing a 200+ piece public art collection in Austin, Texas. Her perspective underscored the importance of strategic planning and resource investment to sustain and expand public art programs that reflect and enhance a city’s unique identity.

Interim Executive Director Jess Muise contributed to the conversation by asking, “What is needed to support what’s next for public art?” This thought-provoking question invited participants to reflect on how Portland can foster innovative and sustainable public art initiatives amid the city’s rapid growth.

The Arts & Culture Summit gathered a vibrant mix of artists, arts leaders, administrators, entrepreneurs, and more to collaborate on nurturing the creative economy. With public art at the forefront of conversations, TEMPOart is excited to continue contributing to this vision, ensuring that public art remains a cornerstone of Portland’s cultural growth.

As Portland grows, so does the potential to elevate the role of art in our public spaces. At TEMPOart, we are proud to be part of the ongoing dialogue shaping the city’s creative future.