Press Release: Portland Museum of Art to Open Temporary Open-Air Pavilion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 21, 2026
CONTACT: [email protected]

Portland Museum of Art to Open Temporary Open-Air Pavilion

Designed by LEVER Architecture, the new public gathering space will open on Friday, October 2, 2026

Located at the center of Portland’s Arts District, the community asset will preview the spirit of PMA’s future expansion – a bold reimagining of a campus grounded by place, nature, and art

Press kit HERE

Credit: LEVER Architecture

Portland, Maine (September 21, 2026) — The Portland Museum of Art (PMA) today announced the official opening date of its temporary, open-air pavilion, PMA | AMP, transforming the future site of its planned expansion into a space for art and community engagement ahead of permanent construction.

Opening to the public on Friday, October 2, 2026, the free and publicly accessible pavilion will host rotating installations, performances, workshops, PMA Films screenings, and additional programming designed to augment the Arts District and Congress Square. The space also features a site-specific mural painted by Portland artist Jenna Pirello.

The pavilion represents an early preview of the vision for PMA’s broader expansion: a more open, people-centered institution that strengthens the connection between the Museum and the city around it. With its central location, both the pavilion and forthcoming expansion will link the energy of the Arts District, Monument Square, and the Old Port into a single, living expression of what a museum campus can become.

“We saw an opportunity to create a space that is welcoming, experimental, and immediately useful for the community,” said Mark Bessire, Judy and Leonard Lauder Executive Director at the Portland Museum of Art. “This pavilion reflects the spirit of PMA’s future. It’s open to all, deeply connected to Portland, and designed to bring people together to prove that art can be woven seamlessly into daily life.”

The 4,200-square-foot structure is designed by LEVER Architecture – the same firm designing PMA’s upcoming expansion – in collaboration with project manager Urban Projects Collaborative. The team partnered with Maine based-design build firm Woodhull and WholeTrees – who operates a timber mill and fabrication facility in Ashland, ME – to deliver a pavilion where sustainability and reuse are central to the design. Built using largely Maine-sourced timber and regional materials, the structure is intended to be fully deconstructed, relocated, and repurposed once construction begins on the museum’s permanent new wing. The project reflects the PMA’s broader commitment to environmentally responsible design and long-term stewardship while also investing directly back into Maine’s local economy and creative industries.

“From performances and workshops to coffee, conversation, and connection, the pavilion will be a place for people to come together, feel part of the life of the city, and connect with the energy and creativity of Portland’s Arts District,” said Lizzy Jones, Deputy Executive Director at the Portland Museum of Art. “We are grateful to collaborate on the pavilion and broader expansion with trusted partners like LEVER, who pioneered the forest-to-frame model of sustainable local sourcing, and Urban Projects Collaborative.”

“The Pavilion embodies PMA’s mission to engage all of Maine with a timber structure sourced from and fabricated in the state’s forests – landscapes that have inspired much of its cultural and artistic legacy,” said Thomas Robinson, Founding Principal, LEVER Architecture. “By opening the site to the community with a space and programming for everyone throughout the design process, the museum is creating an opportunity for public participation that will directly inform and shape the future expansion.”

“From the outset, the Portland Museum of Art set clear, uncompromised goals to prioritize and support Maine’s local resources throughout this project,” said Megan Chusid, Principal of UPC, PMA’s owner’s representative. “Achieving this has been a pinnacle milestone for everyone involved. Our team had the unique privilege of tracking these materials from their regional origins directly to their final installation on-site. We look forward to sharing these stories with the community that will soon gather here. The AMP pavilion stands as a benchmark, proving how modern construction can actively champion sustainable, circular economies right here in Maine.”

Beyond its architectural vision, the pavilion will serve as a new hub for public programming and civic activity in the Arts District. Planned activations include artist commissions, participatory workshops, outdoor installations, performances, youth-led projects, and seasonal community events. The site will also feature informal gathering areas and an “Outdoor Office” with free Wi-Fi and public seating intended to encourage lingering, connection, and day-to-day use by residents and visitors alike. PMA will collaborate with local organizations and businesses – including Creative Portland, Mayo Street Arts, WMPG Radio, the City of Portland, Maine Outdoor Film Festival, Friends of Congress Square Park, State Theatre, Flat Iron Coffee, Classical Uprising, among others – on various programming.

The temporary space also offers PMA an opportunity to pilot ideas that will ultimately shape the future reimagining of the museum. Rooted in art, connected to nature, and grounded by place, the planned 60,000-square-foot expansion unites the PMA’s historic buildings and bold new architecture into a living cultural landscape.

As Portland continues to evolve, projects like this are more than cultural investments alone. By activating public space, increasing foot traffic, and supporting nearby businesses and institutions, the pavilion reflects the museum’s belief that cultural infrastructure is also economic infrastructure – strengthening the city’s Arts District while contributing to the long-term vitality of downtown Portland for all who live there.

Visit portlandmuseum.org for more information about upcoming PMA|AMP programming and events.AMP Hours: Open during regular museum hours from May through November; open Tuesday through Sunday (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Friday (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.). Closed seasonally. Hours may vary. Please check the website for updated information.

About the Portland Museum of Art

The Portland Museum of Art, located blocks from the working waterfront in Maine’s largest city, seeks to tell multifaceted stories through art. Showcasing significant holdings of American, European, and contemporary art, as well as iconic works from Maine—the extensive collection highlights the rich artistic tradition of the state and its artists. Committed to its “Art for All” mission, the PMA seeks to create an inclusive space that champions open expression and makes art accessible to all. The museum offers free admission on Friday nights and Third Thursdays, as well as for all visitors under 21. Discover member events, family activities, school tours, curator talks, and guided visits to the Winslow Homer Studio. It’s all happening at the PMA. Learn more at www.portlandmuseum.org.

In 2022, driven by the ongoing growth of its collection and a commitment to the community, the PMA launched a once-in-a-generation campus expansion and unification project. This transformation allows the museum to grow in place, significantly expanding its footprint while strengthening its economic and cultural impact throughout the region. At the center of this vision is a new, light-filled wing designed by LEVER Architecture. Constructed with lower-carbon Maine mass timber, the addition supports an emerging sustainable building industry and serves as a welcoming threshold that seamlessly connects art, architecture, and everyday public life at the heart of Portland’s Arts District.

Plan your visit at portlandmuseum.org

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About LEVER

LEVER Architecture is a leading architecture practice recognized for design excellence and innovative work with mass timber construction. Based in Portland, Oregon and Los Angeles, the firm collaborates with communities, institutions, and creative companies to design buildings that elevate human experience.

The firm’s work encompasses multiple scales and typologies, including projects for higher education, art and civic institutions as well as corporate campuses and affordable housing. In parallel with its projects, the firm develops and tests next generation building assemblies and sustainable tools—a research effort supported by more than $3M in grant funding. For this commitment to groundbreaking design, LEVER was recognized by Fast Company as one of the world’s most innovative companies and by Architectural Record as a Design Vanguard.

In addition to the Portland Museum of Art in Maine, selected recent projects include Portland State University’s Jordan Schnitzer School, two expanded Carnegie-era libraries in Portland, OR, a multi-building campus project for NBCUniversal, and 843 N Spring Street—a creative development and one of LA’s largest Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) buildings.

About Urban Projects Collaborative

Urban Projects Collaborative, LLC (UPC) is a certified Women-Owned Business and employee-owned cooperative providing owner’s representative, project management, and facilities oversight services to nonprofit, institutional, and commercial clients. Founded in 2014, UPC is built on a foundation of trust, transparency, and collaboration. With offices in New York, California and Maine, and a diverse team of architects, engineers, builders, and financial experts, we are committed to delivering high-quality, mission-driven real estate and capital projects. In 2021, UPC transitioned to an employee-owned cooperative model, reinforcing our commitment to equity, shared leadership, and long-term partnership.

About Woodhull

Woodhull is an integrated architecture, construction, and millwork firm serving residential and commercial clients throughout New England. The team of architects, designers, cabinetmakers, construction project managers, site superintendents, estimators, and carpenters works under one roof, allowing design and craft to inform each other at every stage of a project. A dedicated preservation team brings specialized expertise to historic structures, ensuring restoration and adaptive reuse work honors a building’s original character while meeting the needs of modern use. Woodhull approaches each project with integrity, an open mind, and an unwavering commitment to quality and client experience. The work is shaped by the landscape, intentional materials, simplicity of expression, and enduring character. Learn more at www.woodhullmaine.com.

About WholeTrees

WholeTrees Structures is a leader in whole-timber construction, providing structural round timber products that combine natural form, engineering rigor, and sustainable forest management. The company works with commercial developers, architects, and builders to integrate roundwood into high-performance, climate-positive building systems. Learn more at wholetrees.com.