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Multnomah Arts Center The Multnomah Arts Center (MAC) provides excellent arts education in the visual and performing arts at an affordable cost to students of all ages. Programs run year-round, and scholarships are available. Along with our vibrant arts education program, MAC hosts theatre, music & dance performances, gallery exhibitions, and other special events. The Multnomah Arts Center Association (MACA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which supports the vibrancy and health of the Multnomah Arts Center. The MACA board welcomes volunteers to help with events, as well as new board members.
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Multnomah Arts Center is a program of Portland Parks & Recreation and a member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education. Our goal is to provide high quality instruction and participation in the performing and visual arts to all interested persons, regardless of age, race, religion, ethnic origin, financial means, or level of ability.
Planning a performance, wedding, class, or retreat? The Multnomah Arts Center has numerous rental spaces available for a wide range of uses, including weddings, benefit auctions, conferences, workshops, meetings, parties, and more. Our rental inquiry form can be found here. For further questions, please email macrentals@portlandoregon.gov.
Our auditorium is ideal for receptions, dances, lectures, and performances. It is over 3000 square feet and has 20' ceilings, wood moldings, maple hardwood floors in the main room, dimmable LED lights, and a stage with ADA access. The capacity is 150 people seated at tables, or 200 theatre style. The dance studio is available for events and classes such as dance, aerobics, and yoga.
We are thrilled to announce that the Arts Pods, MAC's mobile arts program piloted last year, is back this summer of 2022! We aim to serve the Portland community with three arts vehicles in 25 different locations over the course of 10 weeks, in partnership with Free Lunch + Play. What's new this year is that we are also including four apartment complexes in service delivery, in addition to City parks.
Reviews (24)
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Augustina Elizabeth Lifeofauggie
Apr 16, 2022
What an incredible place to be able to explore arts and learn new skills! I just got done with my first adult tap class here and it was not only enriching with a supportive instructor but also fun! You can register for classes on Portland parks and rec and there are all age and skill level classes available. I highly recommend checking it out for affordable community development and personal growth.
Julia Montoya
Jan 03, 2020
Easy place to find and the parking was plentiful. Such a great place to have a holiday bazaar. The building was very open and there was great lighting in order to see all of the awesome stuff that people were selling. I look forward to going to this again next year and I hope to find even more of the amazing gifts that I found this year.
Af
Mar 13, 2019
My boyfriend & I were here today for a workshop and since this our first time here we didn't know where the class is located. Their was a really friendly, helpful, & nice tall woman who gave us very detailed direction on how to find our class : ). We also liked that they have ample parking spot and it is easily accessible. We would like to come back here again at some point to look at all the artwork in the near future : ).
Elyse Arezzini
Feb 06, 2019
This place is just the best. I've gone here for years and there are so many awesome classes available for all levels. I did a lot with the ceramics department and I thought it was a wonderful program, definitely definitely recommended
Jackie M.
Aug 06, 2018
I'm glad we have an arts center in the neighborhood, but I haven't been able to enroll my toddler in any of the arts classes because there don't appear to be any available on the weekends for music or dance for toddlers. With two full time work parents, the classes they offer just don't work for us. We do visit often to enjoy the playground outside. I'm glad there's playground equipment in the village and judging by the number of kids we see here, others agree.
David Hastings
Jun 12, 2018
The Multnomah Arts Center is a very active community center with programs for toddlers, school aged kids, young adults and seniors. Painting, sculpture, crafts, pottery, theater, weaving. The whole community participates. Wonderful vibe.
Timothy Currell
Mar 27, 2018
This is the little-known jewel in the Portland Parks and Rec system. Low cost classes for everything from dance to painting and drawing to ceramics to theatre to sculpture. Full wood shop. Two rooms full of looms. It's unbelievable! More Portlanders need to see what there is to offer here.
Fred Sagues
Feb 22, 2018
Incredible metal smith department and wonderful instructors, the MAC contributed a lot in my new career and I can only recommend.
Amanda B.
Sep 19, 2017
I LOVE this place. I'm new to Portland and still looking for things to do. This is close to home and a fantastic resource with so many arts and fitness classes. Love the instructors, and the vibe is friendly and welcoming. Great part of the community.
W. L.
Aug 13, 2017
Over the years, our two kids took piano, dance (ballet) and some art studio classes here and have been treated to excellent, involved and caring teachers in a very versatile facility. But this is to principally review a rather amazing performance of "Fiddler on the Roof, Jr." which six of us had the pleasure to watch last night. Before beginning, I should note that we are not related to any of the cast or production folks -- really had no idea what to expect but certainly not this.

The Cast I believe were mostly in the range of 9 - 14 years of age and their collective performance was simply remarkable. The singing was a great strength with harmonies that were unexpected. The opening couple of numbers set the stage for some some "I can't believe they sound that good!" moments throughout. The Sabbath Prayer scene rivaled the production and quality of a professional ensemble and I have seen this beloved musical both by a road production in Portland and on Broadway in New York.

This one scene would have been worth the price of admission if there had been a charge - it was inspired. Tevye was played by a young man who has wonderful stage presence; voice and great promise. He was unafraid of the role and his ability to occupy it at the tender age of eleven. Similarly, his wife Golda commanded the role but it was her remarkable voice that will likely (and hopefully) grace additional singing roles in High School, College and beyond.

The Fiddler actually played the fiddle on-stage, while moving and did so with musicality and a simple pathos that complemented each scene. A professional musician would be envious. The daughters were delightful both in their acting and their singing voice - with a a very special rendition of "Far from the Home I Love". The set design and lighting were both clever and simple -- making good use of the smaller stage than would be normally available.

What made this production even more remarkable was that the cast was un-miked and yet they projected naturally and with ease throughout what had been a middle-school-sized auditorium. In several scenes where the daughters are seeking Tevye's blessing for their beloveds and future marriages he argues with himself and with God about an appropriate conclusion. and in all cases he (eventually) gets it right. This skillfully produced and acted show also gets it right and the audience, without argument, left the auditorium truly blessed.
Karen Erde
Jun 28, 2017
Great place for community events, venue for patries, dancing, & craft classes.
K. W.
May 11, 2017
I have taken two photography classes through MAC, and am signed up for a drawing class in the summer. The two photography classes I've taken were taught by Jenna, and she is an AMAZING teacher! She is extremely knowledgeable and wants to share all of her information with you, the student! You can tell she is passionate about what she does. It doesn't matter if you're a beginner or an experienced photographer, if you're young or old, everyone is welcome. I just love this space and community.
Robin Kornblit
Jan 02, 2017
The teachers are awesome and the customer service is great. There is a wide variety of classes at affordable prices. We are so lucky to have a Community Arts Center like this in Southwest Portland!
Cara P.
Jul 16, 2015
This is a great asset to the community. My kids really enjoy the art classes. Beware of trying to cancel a class that you have signed up for. They will absolutely not refund any of your money if you try to cancel less than 5 days before a class. No exceptions. The written cancellation policy is pretty wishy-washy. It doesn't say anywhere in their cancellation policy that they do not refund money less than 5 days before a class.

In fact, there is a statement about a pro-rated refund after the class has started. But this is not their actual policy. We had to cancel a class 3 days before the class started because of a family situation, and they were not willing to refund any of our money. It was a very expensive mistake!
Pranda P.
Jun 28, 2014
I'm a big fan of ceramics and have been for years. I happened to come across this place while in the area and decided to take an open class for the fun of it. Although the clay was affordable, there tools available for walk-ins were beyond mediocre and the staff was very strange. The studio was nice, don't get me wrong; it was just the atmosphere that I could not handle after a few hours.

Everyone there felt the need to get involved with whatever it was I was doing and it became very bothersome. I couldn't just use the studio without interference. The instructors made their "superior knowledge" more evident than necessary. I never even went back to pick up my pottery after it had been fired, and to be honest, I'm saving myself the trip.
Eduardo Marquez
Mar 08, 2014
This arts center always gives great classes, and is a fantastic resource for everyone in the community. It's commitment to being open to all kinds of people, and reaching out to people through art is inspiring. I was wondering whether you guys had heard of the film Detroit Unleaded, by first-time director Rola Nashef, it chronicles the life of those in the Arab-American community in urban Detroit. Anyway, I know that everyone here would appreciate a unique indie film, it feels like something you guys would promote, like or show. It's showing at Clinton Street Theatre from March 7-9 if you're interested.., Other than that, the Multnomah Arts Center needs to keep expanding art for us!
Wade H.
Apr 18, 2013
This was a very interesting place. I cant comment on the art and music classes they do there. I was there for my cousins wedding. They had a nice big banquet room and decent size kitchen. Seems like a great place to do a wedding on a budget
Claudia L. L.
Oct 30, 2012
Review is for Event Space. A friend had her wedding and reception here in the Auditorium and it was a really nice space and experience overall. There was plenty of space for the tables as well as dance floor. We wandered the halls while waiting for the reception to start and admired the really great art work decorating the building some of which was available for sale. They had some really neat pottery pieces and we had to take some home with us. Cool spot for sure
K. W.
Jan 22, 2012
It's a really nice place. There is this pungent "old house smell" when you first enter, but you get used it after a while. I took piano lessons for a while here. You can practice on their acoustic pianos for free if you are a student. Unfortunately their pianos are mostly old (donated) and out of tune (according to my teacher) so I stopped and decided to use my digital piano at home instead. Staff are friendly. I keep thinking I should start giving these other classes a try!
Claudia Fuentes
Dec 13, 2011
This place was a cool place to go. I took my son to a free movie night showing of the muppets. There was music and snacks.needless to say my kid had a great time. The place is cool to explore and they had an art show going on during the movie. I would definitely check this place out again!
Samuel J.
Aug 02, 2011
I've been going to Mult. Art Center for years for NIA, then yoga and now 'Fusion Fitness'. This place is a 'community' and I love it here. It's safe, friendly and an inexpensive way to get exercise, meet friends and simply be. The art gallery is wonderful, classes are excellent and the staff is kind and friendly. Drop in for a 'Fusion Fitness' class on Mon/Wed/Fri 5:40 - 6:40 pm with Patricia and you'll be hooked. Sign up for classes thru their website or stop by in person. Can't say enough about this great place!
Brendon C.
Jul 17, 2011
This place is great! In fact, one of the main reasons I bought a home down the street was because of this place. There are literally hundreds of art opportunities awaiting you at this facility. Cheap too! My kids have taken classes in clay animation and metalsmithing. Who needs TV when you can cut metal! My wife has taken oil painting classes with great instructors. I've taken classes in enameling and ceramics.

Just a note to contradict the Hoagie's review about the ceramics studio. I've had a great experience in there. I've always felt welcomed. There have been open wheels every time I've gone in. The work gets fired consistently and regularly. My class size is small and I get plenty of work done. Not quite sure how we can have such different experiences, but hey, to each his own.
Hoagie C.
Jul 10, 2011
Pottery studio review. Huge class sizes. Unwelcoming class members. Too many people on the wheels. Not open Sunday. No wheels for handicapped. I didn't get to work one single day. Tried for two terms to get some work done. Waste of money, unless you're good at pushing and shoving. Forget it. I'm going back to Clackamas College. In spite of the drive. God, I hate this place. But hey, the teachers and the techs are nice as hell. Just too many (*#!%) people.
Mnypny B.
Feb 05, 2008
Ok, people. I don't even live here and I'm in complete amazement that no one has written a review for a place I would love to have in my backyard (second only to Washington Park). So here goes: this place has classrooms, weaving rooms with over 60 looms, a darkroom, printmaking studio with presses, dance studio, music rooms, a ceramics studio with pottery wheels, slab roller, and kilns, and an applied arts studio with sculpture and jewelry making equipment. Rentable areas include an auditorium and stage, gymnasium, dance studio, classrooms, kitchen, and kitchenette. Outdoor grounds include a covered basketball court, playground, courtyard, and parking. What a cool place! So fer cryin' out loud, get over there and do something! Don't make me move up there and take your spot!