Celebrating Wins

It's been almost 11 months since I started as Executive Director at Alberta Abbey and this organization is seeing some major momentum in a lot of different areas.

One thing I have wanted to do from DAY ONE was rip out the stained carpet in the main theater. Over the last two weeks of July, I got my chance! Underneath it are some incredibly beautiful hardwood floors that we have now restored to their historic glory! The before and after pics are epic (see above).

Here are some other things I'm really proud of...

• Oregon Historical Society acquired original blueprints, documents, and memorabilia. Now the history of our building, the Mallory Christian Church and the people who built this neighborhood gem, will be professionally preserved, archived, and made available to the wider public.
  
  
• Launching Alberta Abbey's Visual Arts Program: We repainted several main public areas in preparation for the launch of our expanded Visual Art Program, in partnership with Portland artist and long-term Abbey tenant, Sharita Towne. The Abbey is getting a summer glow up!
  
  
• One Space, One Vision, On Hundred Years: Alberta Abbey featured article in Oregon ArtsWatch
  If you want to know more about Alberta Abbey and the history even before it was an arts venue, this is a really great read! https://www.orartswatch.org/alberta-abbey-one-space-one-vision-one-hundred-years
  
  
• Portland Invests $10,000 in The Abbey's Future. We are thrilled and incredibly grateful to announce that Alberta Abbey Foundation has received a $10,000 financial grant from the City of Portland's Office of Arts & Culture! This grant comes at a crucial time as arts organizations face unprecedented challenges with reduced federal support and local budget constraints. Like many in our creative community, we've been navigating uncertain financial waters in the ever changing landscape of arts funding. This funding will directly support our subsidized space use program, helping more artists, nonprofits, and community groups access our venue at reduced or no cost, amplifying our impact through creative partnerships.

 A huge win for Portland’s music scene: Repeal of (racist) noise code 14.A.30
After 5 years of tireless advocacy—and 2.5 years of being part of this incredible journey—I’m so proud to celebrate this moment with my fellow music policy champions. With the outdated and subjective 14.A.30 police code officially repealed (which disproportionately impacted Black and Brown music & venues), Portland will now fully rely on the science-based Title 18 noise code, which uses measurable decibel readings. This gives musicians and venues the clarity and confidence to do our work without fear of arbitrary shutdowns.

Huge congratulations to Meara McLaughlin, MusicPortland, Council Member Jamie Dunphy, my fellow music policy colleagues, and Portland City Council for helping build a more equitable and thriving music city.

Celebrating!


***About Cheri Jamison
Cheri Jamison is the Executive Director of Alberta Abbey, a nonprofit venue in Portland, and an arts consultant with over 14 years of experience in arts and nonprofit management. Through Cheri Jamison Consulting LLC, she helps organizations thrive by providing capacity-building support, executive coaching, board training, and professional development.
Learn more at www.CheriJamison.com.