If you weren’t among the throngs of Portlanders who attended the Portland Art Museum’s grand opening days, then now is an excellent time to see for yourself what has already become one of downtown’s most vibrant gathering places. Plus, be sure to see Global Icons and Yoshida Chizuko before they close in January. 

In less than two weeks after its grand opening on November 20, 2025, nearly 40,000 people streamed through the newly expanded campus. Over the course of four free admission days, lines flowed steadily in and out of the new Mark Rothko Pavilion, while the South Park Blocks buzzed with activity. The energy marked a milestone for the city—and for the Museum—as the $116 million transformation delivered on its promise to bring new life and vitality to downtown Portland.

“Seeing thousands of people move through the new spaces with joy and curiosity was the highlight of opening weekend,” said Stephanie Parrish, Director of Learning at the Portland Art Museum. “It was especially meaningful to watch our community partners bring the Museum to life. It felt like Portland showing up for its museum in the best possible way.”

That enthusiasm has been echoed well beyond the city limits. National press outlets have praised the expansion and renovation for its thoughtful architecture and visitor-centered design, affirming the Portland Art Museum’s place among the country’s most forward-thinking cultural institutions. Publications including Forbes, ARTnews, Metropolis, and The Architect’s Newspaper have highlighted the campus transformation for its connectivity, community focus, and elevated art-viewing experience.

In Forbes, critic Chadd Scott noted that the Museum “stands on a belief that its city and region and itself needn’t take a backseat,” pointing to a collection that ranges from a landmark Water Lilies by Claude Monet to a singular Vincent van Gogh oil painting, alongside regional and nationally recognized artists.

Writing for Metropolis, Brian Libby described the Rothko Pavilion as a departure from flashy, icon-driven museum expansions, favoring “deference, function, and flow.” Meanwhile, ARTnews praised the reinstallation of the collection, which presents familiar masterworks in fresh, thematic contexts, while The Architect’s Newspaper highlighted new opportunities to encounter sculpture, glass, and ceramics by artists including Alexander Calder, Tony Smith, Henry Moore, and Barbara Hepworth.

The Rothko Pavilion is the heart of the transformation that features 100,000 square feet of new or renovated space, and is named for the Portland-raised artist who had his first exhibition at the Museum in 1933. The project includes a complete reinstallation of the collection, featuring 300 newly acquired works, improved circulation and accessibility, and upgraded visitor amenities designed to welcome audiences of all ages and backgrounds. The expansion and renovation is one of the largest cultural investments in Oregon’s history and was supported by more than 1,200 donors, with an additional $30 million raised for the Museum’s endowment.

Plan Your Visit 

Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Sunday: 10 am - 5 pm 

*Free admission from 10 am – 7 pm on the first Thursday of each month.

Admission

Adults: $27.50

Seniors 65+: $24.50

College students (18 and up, with student ID): $22.50

Adult group visit (12 or more): $24.50

Military: $24.50

Museum members: Free

Children (17 – younger): Free

School group visit (by reservation): Free