PNCA Announces Extraordinary Opportunity

January 22, 2009

To Our Friends in the Community,

We are writing to inform you of an extraordinary opportunity that presented itself in mid-November, when the Museum of Contemporary Craft approached PNCA to discuss the possibility of integrating the two institutions. As you may be aware, the Museum has experienced financial difficulties that resulted in paring down its staff functions and reducing its operating budget. This, unfortunately, is a common occurrence for many non-profits throughout our country as the economy has faltered and funding opportunities have become scarce.

The Museum’s decision to approach PNCA is a testament to the College’s vision for quality education, programming, fiscal strength and civic imagination. And while the College is working on many dynamic projects, the PNCA Board of Governors believed this to be such a unique opportunity to broaden and enhance the quality of a PNCA education and the College’s public programs that the proposal should be given serious consideration. A fundamental provision was that the Museum embrace an expansion of its mission to include the concept of design–which was readily agreed to–including evolving the mission to become the Museum of Contemporary Craft and Design.

Chairman Al Solheim appointed a board task force to work with senior staff and Museum representatives to conduct an extensive analysis of this opportunity measured against the College’s meta goals, long-term strategic goals, and the PNCA+FIVE initiative. The task force was asked to return with a recommendation on whether the proposal should move forward, and if so, how to proceed. Together they explored the missions, integration, governance, its financials, programming, and the capacity for PNCA to maintain the momentum of current programs and projects. The task force concluded that:

o PNCA’s missions are synergistic and supported by the Museum’s complementary educational and public programming;
o integration of curatorial and educational programming would add depth and vibrancy to PNCA’s current vision; and
o cost efficiencies could be gained by integrating staff functions that would create a stronger blended team and further our reputations and scholarship.

They also noted integration would:
o preserve the region’s tradition and history as a center for craft, and provide a platform upon which to creatively explore the future of contemporary art, craft and design and to support the existing artist community;
o accelerate implementation of previously anticipated academic and Continuing Education programming goals;
o strengthen the financial capacity and stability of both; and
o support the region’s growing role as a mecca for creative services and design.

Both Boards weighed carefully the recommendation to proceed, endorsing moving forward over the coming weeks to develop an integration plan and business strategy that creates conditions for fiscal and programmatic viability. A major focus of this will include developing awareness and support within the larger community and engaging the constituents of each institution. Of critical importance to PNCA is that we develop a model that successfully preserves the vital programming of both institutions. If successful, the Museum would become a formal part of the PNCA community, continuing to present dynamic exhibitions, and sharing of its strong curatorial voice to enhance many of our current educational programs and future aspirations.

This is not only an extraordinary opportunity for the College and the Museum, but for Portland and the state’s cultural community as well. As an integrated educational and cultural institution, we will have the capacity not only to strengthen our educational mission, but also to further our commitment to be a catalyst for international conversations on art, design, craft, and education. We will also seek to collaborate with other institutions that contribute to these fields.

We look forward to engaging you in this conversation over the coming weeks and months. The support of the broader community will be critical to ensuring a successful integration, to bring fiscal stability to the museum, to maintain a strong membership and visitor experience, at the same time enhancing the programs and mission of PNCA.

Sincerely,

Tom Manley
President
Pacific Northwest College of Art

Kathy J. Abraham
President, Board of Directors
Museum of Contemporary Craft