Portland Queer Arts Foundation Receives Oregon Cultural Trust Grant
PORTLAND, OR — Portland Queer Arts Foundation has been awarded a $12,000 Cultural Development Program grant from the Oregon Cultural Trust in support of the 2027 Portland Queer Arts Spectacular, the organization’s flagship multidisciplinary stage production.
This marks PQA’s first Cultural Development Program award. The grant will help fund artist stipends, production staffing, and accessible ticketing for an estimated 580 to 620 audience members across the two performances.
“This grant is an investment in Portland’s Queer artists and in the audiences who show up for them,” said John Perry (he/him), Founder and President of Portland Queer Arts Foundation. “It helps us pay artists fairly, staff the production professionally, and keep tickets within reach for the whole community.”
The award is part of a record $4.5 million the Oregon Cultural Trust is distributing this fiscal year to more than 450 arts, culture, heritage, and humanities organizations across the state, including $2,250,846 in Cultural Development Program grants to 104 cultural nonprofits. Awards were reviewed by peer panels and approved by the Cultural Trust Board of Directors in July.
The Oregon Cultural Trust is funded through the Cultural Tax Credit, which allows Oregonians who donate to a qualifying cultural nonprofit — including Portland Queer Arts Foundation — to claim a 100 percent matching state tax credit by giving an equal amount to the Cultural Trust.
The Portland Queer Arts Spectacular is Portland Queer Arts Foundation’s flagship annual event — a multidisciplinary live stage production. Each year, the Spectacular centers a unifying theme and curated artistic vision, bringing together Portland’s most exciting queer talent for an unforgettable evening of storytelling and celebration.
About Portland Queer Arts Foundation
Portland Queer Arts Foundation uplifts and celebrates Portland’s queer artists, advocates, and allies by creating inclusive, joyful, and interdisciplinary arts experiences. From live performances and artist grants to community events, the organization cultivates space for bold expression, collaborative storytelling, and lasting cultural impact. Portland Queer Arts Foundation is based in Portland, Oregon, and committed to amplifying underrepresented voices across Portland and the surrounding metropolitan area.
PORTLAND, OR — What does it mean to create? To imagine something that doesn’t exist yet — and then make it real? Portland Queer Arts Foundation (PQA) is proud to announce that Daniel Switzer (he/him/they) will serve as Artistic Director of the 2026 Portland Queer Arts Spectacular, bringing that question to vivid, multidisciplinary life on stage at the Alberta Rose Theatre.
The World We Create invites audiences and artists to explore queerness not as something to be explained or defended, but as a generative force: a way of seeing, making, and reimagining what the world can hold. The Spectacular takes the stage for two nights on September 19 and 20, 2026, with performances beginning at 7:00 PM both evenings.
“Queerness has always been an act of creation — we create our identities, our communities, our sense of belonging in a world that doesn’t always make room for us,” says Switzer. “With The World We Create, I want artists and audiences to feel the full weight of that power. This show is about what we build when we give ourselves permission to dream out loud.“
A multidisciplinary performer and creator with more than a decade of experience across theater, film, and dance, Switzer has journeyed from the stages of Broadway to the Pacific Northwest, where his creative passion and love for art have merged in ways he never imagined. His credits include Wicked (1st National Tour), Newsies (1st National Tour and Live on Disney+), Disney’s Frozen (1st National Tour), and Mean Girls on Broadway, earning him Broadway World nominations with his directorial work winning recognition at indie film festivals, including the NY Indie Theatre Film Festival. Switzer holds a Master’s degree in Communication and New Media from Southern New Hampshire University, and brings to his directing a conviction that clear, empathetic communication is as essential to artistic leadership as creative vision itself.
“Daniel’s vision for The World We Create speaks to something essential about what queer artists do,” said John T. Perry (he/him), Founder and President of PQA. “We don’t just reflect culture — we build it. Watching that truth come to life on stage is exactly what Portland Queer Arts Foundation exists to do.”
Now in its third year, the Queer Arts Spectacular has established itself as Portland’s premiere multidisciplinary queer arts event, uniting drag, dance, vocal performance, spoken word, short film, and visual art under a single, cohesive artistic vision. The 2025 Spectacular, Do You See Me?, drew enthusiastic audiences and earned widespread recognition for its emotional depth and artistic range.
Queer artists of all disciplines are invited to audition. Auditions will be April 27 and 28, 2026. Registration opens March 30 at portlandqueerarts.foundation/auditions. PQA encourages artists across all performance disciplines — including drag, dance, vocal performance, spoken word, burlesque, and more — to apply.
The Portland Queer Arts Spectacular is Portland Queer Arts Foundation’s flagship annual event — a multidisciplinary live stage production. Each year, the Spectacular centers a unifying theme and curated artistic vision, bringing together Portland’s most exciting queer talent for an unforgettable evening of storytelling and celebration.
About Portland Queer Arts Foundation
Portland Queer Arts Foundation uplifts and celebrates Portland’s queer artists, advocates, and allies by creating inclusive, joyful, and interdisciplinary arts experiences. From live performances and artist grants to community events, the organization cultivates space for bold expression, collaborative storytelling, and lasting cultural impact. Portland Queer Arts Foundation is based in Portland, Oregon, and committed to amplifying underrepresented voices across Portland and the surrounding metropolitan area.
PORTLAND, OR — Portland Queer Arts Foundation (PQA) has officially launched its search for the next Artistic Director of the 2026 Portland Queer Arts Spectacular, inviting visionary queer creatives to shape the theme and artistic direction of the organization’s flagship annual production.
The Request for Proposal, issued February 20, 2026 , outlines PQA’s commitment to rotating guest Artistic Directors each year, continuing the tradition of fresh perspective, bold storytelling, and collaborative performance that has defined the Spectacular since its inception.
The 2026 Spectacular will take place at the Alberta Rose Theatre on September 19 and 20, 2026 at 7:00 PM, featuring 10–12 multidisciplinary acts in a genre-defying evening that blends heart, humor, activism, and art .
“The Spectacular is more than a performance — it’s a curated celebration of queer resilience, joy, and artistic excellence,” said John Perry (he/him), Founder and President of Portland Queer Arts Foundation. “Each year, a new Artistic Director brings a distinct voice and vision that helps our community see itself in new and powerful ways.”
About the Role
The selected Artistic Director will:
Develop a unifying theme aligned with PQA’s mission
Curate featured acts across disciplines
Foster artistic collaborations between artists
Shape the arc and run of show
Provide artistic leadership throughout rehearsals and production
PQA will also work with the selected Artistic Director to identify and hire a Featured Performer/Emcee, who will serve as an ambassador for the evening and help guide audiences through the show — continuing a format that has resonated strongly with audiences in past productions.
Commitment to Inclusive Leadership
Portland Queer Arts celebrates and affirms queer and trans artists of all races, ethnicities, genders, abilities, and lived experiences. The organization strongly encourages BIPOC, trans, nonbinary, disabled, and other historically marginalized artists to apply.
Proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of PQA leadership, artists, and community stakeholders, with evaluation focused on artistic vision, alignment with mission, collaborative approach, and organizational capacity.
Key Dates
Proposals Due: March 15, 2026
Artistic Director Selected: March 29, 2026
Artist Auditions Announced: March 30, 2026
Full submission details and proposal guidelines are available at:
Portland Queer Arts Foundation uplifts and celebrates Portland’s queer artists, advocates, and allies by creating inclusive, joyful, and interdisciplinary arts experiences. From live performances and artist grants to community events, the organization cultivates space for bold expression, collaborative storytelling, and lasting cultural impact. Portland Queer Arts Foundation is based in Portland, Oregon, and committed to amplifying underrepresented voices across Portland and the surrounding metropolitan area.
PORTLAND, OR — Portland Queer Arts Foundation (PQA) is excited to announce a special double-match fundraising opportunity for Giving Tuesday. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, every contribution made on Giving Tuesday will be matched dollar-for-dollar—doubling the impact of each gift and directly supporting queer artists across the Portland metro area.
The announcement comes at a milestone moment for the organization: Portland Queer Arts Foundation is now an officially recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations made directly to PQA are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law and are also eligible for corporate matching programs, including Benevity and other workplace giving platforms.
“This double-impact opportunity couldn’t come at a better time,” said John T. Perry (he/him), Founder and President of Portland Queer Arts Foundation. “Our local community of queer artists is vibrant, bold, and deeply deserving of support. With our new nonprofit status and this extraordinary double match, every donor has the chance to make a meaningful, lasting difference.”
Funds raised on Giving Tuesday will fuel PQA’s year-round programming, including:
Paid opportunities for LGBTQ+ artists across disciplines,
Inclusive performances such as the annual Portland Queer Arts Spectacular,
Community Listening Sessions and initiatives that center the voices and needs of queer creatives, and
Resources and support that help artists build sustainable creative careers.
“Our mission is to uplift queer voices through visibility, opportunity, and community,” Perry added. “Donors who contribute on Giving Tuesday are helping ensure that queer art continues to thrive in Portland—not just today, but for years to come.”
How to Participate in the Giving Tuesday Double Match
Matching funds apply only to gifts made on Giving Tuesday
Every dollar given will receive 1:1 matching, doubling its impact
All contributions are tax-deductible and eligible for corporate matches through Benevity and similar platforms
About Portland Queer Arts Foundation
Portland Queer Arts Foundation uplifts and celebrates Portland’s queer artists, advocates, and allies by creating inclusive, joyful, and interdisciplinary arts experiences. From live performances and artist grants to community events, the organization cultivates space for bold expression, collaborative storytelling, and lasting cultural impact. Portland Queer Arts Foundation is based in Portland, Oregon, and committed to amplifying underrepresented voices across Portland and the surrounding metropolitan area.
PORTLAND, OR — Following the success of its recently launched Community Needs Assessment, the Portland Queer Arts Foundation (PQA) is introducing a series of Community Listening Sessions — in-person conversations designed to amplify the voices and experiences of LGBTQ+ artists in Portland.
The one-hour sessions, taking place throughout the fall, will bring together small groups of artists, performers, and creatives from across disciplines to share insights about their work, challenges, and hopes for the future of queer art in the region. All participants will receive compensation for their time and contributions.
“Listening is one of the most powerful acts of community-building,” said John T. Perry (he/him), Co-Founder and President of Portland Queer Arts Foundation. “These sessions give artists the space to speak honestly about what they need, and give us the responsibility to listen with care and intention.”
The Community Listening Sessions are part of PQA’s broader Community Needs Assessment initiative, which launched earlier this year with a citywide survey for LGBTQ+ artists. Together, these efforts will help guide how the Foundation structures future programs, funding opportunities, and creative collaborations.
“Queer artists, we’re often asked to perform or produce — but rarely to simply speak,” added Perry. “These sessions are about creating the same kind of brave, affirming space offstage that we strive to create onstage with shows like our annual Queer Arts Spectacular.”
The Listening Sessions are open to both emerging and established queer artists working in any medium, including music, dance, spoken word, drag, theater, visual, and material arts. Each conversation will be guided by PQA’s facilitation team, focusing on visibility, access, and creative sustainability.
Portland Queer Arts Foundation uplifts and celebrates Portland’s queer artists, advocates, and allies by creating inclusive, joyful, and interdisciplinary arts experiences. From live performances and artist grants to community events, the organization cultivates space for bold expression, collaborative storytelling, and lasting cultural impact. Portland Queer Arts Foundation is based in Portland, Oregon, and committed to amplifying underrepresented voices across Portland and the surrounding metropolitan area.
PORTLAND, OR — Portland Queer Arts Foundation (PQA) has launched its first-ever Community Needs Assessment to better understand how to support and uplift LGBTQ+ artists in Portland. The initiative begins with a 10-minute anonymous survey, now live at portlandqueerarts.foundation/survey.
The survey invites queer artists of all disciplines—including musicians, dancers, drag performers, poets, visual artists, and more—to share their experiences, challenges, and needs. Feedback gathered will directly inform PQA’s future programs, grantmaking, partnerships, and performance opportunities.
“This is about listening,” said John T. Perry (he/him), Founder and President of Portland Queer Arts Foundation. “Our mission is to create inclusive, joyful, and interdisciplinary spaces for queer creativity—but to do that well, we need to hear directly from the artists we serve.”
Who Should Participate:
The survey is open to individuals who:
Identify as LGBTQ+
Are 18 years or older
Live and/or create art in Portland or surrounding areas
Are currently pursuing, or want to pursue, art as a form of income
PQA is encouraging Portland’s queer community to not only participate but also share the survey with their networks. “Every perspective strengthens this work,” added Perry. “By amplifying a diversity of voices, we can help shape a stronger, more visible future for queer art in Portland.”
In addition to the survey, Portland Queer Arts Foundation will be hosting a series of focus groups this fall to create more space for dialogue and collective visioning. These sessions will bring together LGBTQ+ artists across disciplines to share stories, identify needs, and generate ideas for how PQA can serve the community more effectively. Details on dates, times, and how to sign up will be announced soon. Sign up for our mailing list to be notified about future opportunities to share your voice.
Portland Queer Arts Foundation uplifts and celebrates Portland’s queer artists, advocates, and allies by creating inclusive, joyful, and interdisciplinary arts experiences. From live performances and artist grants to community events, the organization cultivates space for bold expression, collaborative storytelling, and lasting cultural impact. Portland Queer Arts Foundation is based in Portland, Oregon, and committed to amplifying underrepresented voices across Portland and the surrounding metropolitan area.
PORTLAND, OR — Portland Queer Arts Foundation is thrilled to announce the lineup for the Second Annual Portland Queer Arts Spectacular, its annual multidisciplinary live performance celebrating LGBTQ+ expression, visibility, and creative brilliance. This year’s show will take place Saturday, September 6 at 7:00 PM at the Alberta Rose Theatre in Northeast Portland.
Headlining the evening as emcee is Portland’s own David Saffert, whose virtuosic musicality and signature camp make him a dazzling fit for this year’s theme: Do You See Me?
David is a classically trained pianist and all-around showman best known for channeling the rhinestone-studded magic of Liberace. A fixture in Portland’s music and theater scenes, David has performed with the Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera, and Oregon Ballet Theatre, and toured nationally with his critically acclaimed Liberace & Liza tribute alongside Jillian Snow. Whether dazzling audiences at 54 Below or making mischief in cabaret, Saffert blends musical chops with theatrical flair—offering up sequins, sentiment, and a grand piano all in one fabulous package.
“I’ve spent my life leaning into performance—whether channeling Liberace’s sparkle or accompanying dancers and singers across Portland’s stages. Hosting the Spectacular as emcee is a joy: it’s a chance to blend music, mischief, and theatricality to celebrate queer presence in all its shimmering forms.” — David Saffert
Curated by Artistic Director Franco Nieto, this year’s show invites audiences and artists alike to reflect on queer presence, the power of being witnessed, and the joy of taking up space.
“This show is personal for me. It’s more than a performance—it’s a space for queer artists to be fully seen, celebrated, and held. I’m so honored to shape this year’s Spectacular and help create something that speaks to the power of presence and community.” — Franco Nieto
The 2025 Spectacular will feature original work across dance, music, spoken word, and visual art. Other artists joining the show this year include:
Live vocals and new musical compositions by: David Saffert, Kimo Camat, Maeve Stier, ONRY, and 2 Baes featuring Thomas Kulkus and Derek Gregerson
Original choreography and contemporary dance by: Jordan Isadore and Kylee Killian
Spoken word performances by: Abby Ross, Alone Featuring Company, Roxy de Luna, Bradda Joe, and Seb Lockhart
As always, Portland Queer Arts Foundation is committed to uplifting queer creatives and cultivating a process that centers respect, accessibility, and joy. The Spectacular reflects the organization’s belief that art can be a powerful tool for visibility, healing, and cultural connection, while giving queer artists a platform to showcase their work that is true to themselves and unapologetically queer.
Tickets are on sale now at portlandqueerarts.foundation/tickets. Follow @pdxpqa on Instagram and Facebook for artist features, behind-the-scenes content, and updates about future shows.
About Portland Queer Arts Foundation
Portland Queer Arts Foundation uplifts and celebrates Portland’s queer artists, advocates, and allies by creating inclusive, joyful, and interdisciplinary arts experiences. From live performances and artist grants to community events, the organization cultivates space for bold expression, collaborative storytelling, and lasting cultural impact. Portland Queer Arts Foundation is based in Portland, Oregon, and committed to amplifying underrepresented voices across Portland and the surrounding metropolitan area.
PORTLAND, OR — Portland Queer Arts Foundation is proud to announce the return of its flagship multidisciplinary performance, the Portland Queer Arts Spectacular, on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the historic Alberta Rose Theatre.
Now in its second year, the Spectacular continues its mission to uplift and celebrate Portland’s queer artists, advocates, and allies through an inclusive and emotionally resonant live experience. The 2025 show introduces a bold new theme—Do You See Me?—curated by acclaimed choreographer and performer Franco Nieto (he/him), who joins as this year’s guest Artistic Director.
Nieto, a Princess Grace Award-winner and founder of Open Space Dance, brings a deeply personal lens to the show’s artistic direction. His theme, Do You See Me?, invites audiences and artists alike to explore queer visibility, presence, and the power of being witnessed in all forms of identity, artistry, and community.
“This theme is a love letter to all the ways we show up—for ourselves and each other,” says Nieto. “Queer visibility is not just about being seen by the world. It’s about claiming our space and seeing one another with care, curiosity, and joy.”
The 2025 Spectacular will feature original work from an interdisciplinary roster of queer artists across dance, drag, music, spoken word, and visual arts. The show draws on Portland’s dynamic creative community to present an evening that is both celebratory and unflinching, joyful and deeply human.
Auditions for participating artists will be held July 14 & 15, with rehearsals running through August 30. As in previous years, all selected artists will be paid for their participation in the show, with a focus on equity, collaboration, and accessibility.
“Franco brings not only world-class artistry but a heart-forward leadership style that aligns beautifully with our mission,” says President and Founder John T. Perry. “We’re thrilled to support his vision and to welcome audiences into a show that promises to be as visually stunning as it is emotionally meaningful.”
Portland Queer Arts was created to foster representation, visibility, and equity for queer artists and queer art organizations in Portland and the greater Pacific Northwest. By funding artists directly through fundraisers, grants, and scholarship programs for young queer artists, as well as providing a creative container for artists to showcase their work, we hope to create a platform through which queer artists of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds can achieve their creative vision unconstrained. It is our belief that honest and thoughtful stories told by queer people, for queer people can become a catalyst for deep and meaningful change.
Tim Seelig writing about the first ever Portland Queer Arts Spectacular for Shoutout.
“I judge a show on whether it has TLC: Tears, Laughs, and Chill Bumps. All three were present in abundance.” — Tim Seelig, Conductor Laureate of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus
“The opening ‘spectacular’ of Portland Queer Arts delivered exactly as billed… and then some! Showcasing the vast and diverse talents which exists within the queer community here, it took me on an emotional journey— laughter, tears, and everything in between. I have one simple measure for performances: goosebumps, and they popped up in abundance. Visibility matters. Kudos to the phenomenal team for such masterful curation and breathtaking performances!”
On Sunday, September 8, 2024, The Portland Queer Arts hosted its inaugural Portland Queer Arts Spectacular, an event focused on uplifting local queer artists and performers, at Alberta Rose Theatre in Northeast Portland.
“We could not have asked for a better response from the community for our first event,” said Portland Queer Arts co-founder John T. Perry. “Our goal is to create a platform for performers to showcase their art in a way that is authentically queer and authentically themselves, and I think our audience came away with an overwhelming sense of that authenticity.”
Portland Queer Arts got its start earlier this year, found by Perry, a 20-year veteran of the tech industry and supporter of the arts, and Artistic Director, Alex Frazier, alongside entertainment industry veteran Chryssa Cooke Sanders, and Scouting America Cascade Pacific Council CEO and Portland Gay Men’s Chorus Board Chair, Gary Carroll. This burgeoning new organization was created to support local queer artists through grants, scholarship programs, and events such as the Spectacular.
The deeply emotional show spanned the full spectrum of emotions, filling the audience with laughter and a few tears. “The opening ‘spectacular’ of Portland Queer Arts delivered exactly as billed… and then some! Showcasing the vast and diverse talents which exists within the queer community here, it took me on an emotional journey— laughter, tears, and everything in between.” said Ihsan Rustem, award winning Artistic Director of the Swiss dance company Cie. La Ronde and Resident Choreographer for the NW Dance Project. “I have one simple measure for performances: goosebumps, and they popped up in abundance. Visibility matters. Kudos to the phenomenal team for such masterful curation and breathtaking performances!”
“I am thrilled at the audience response to the Spectacular,” said Portland Queer Arts co-founder and Artistic Director, Alex Frazier. “Our artists shared deeply personal and searing stories and our audience did not disappoint with their enthusiasm and support throughout the night.”
Frazier is already excited to bring more queer stories to the stage, “Portland has a unique culture of openness and depth of empathy that was on full display last Sunday. I’m so grateful to live in this city, to be able to work with these artists, and for our fearless audience that rose up to support them. We are already hard at work on our next season, and look forward to bring more queer voices to the stage in the near future.”
About Portland Queer Arts
Portland Queer Arts was created to foster representation, visibility, and equity for queer artists and queer art organizations in Portland and the greater Pacific Northwest. By funding artists directly through fundraisers, grants, and scholarship programs for young queer artists, as well as providing a creative container for artists to showcase their work, we hope to create a platform through which queer artists of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds can achieve their creative vision unconstrained. It is our belief that honest and thoughtful stories told by queer people, for queer people can become a catalyst for deep and meaningful change.
