OUR COMMITMENT

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

The Portland Chamber Orchestra has made a choice to be a beacon of unity that celebrates, welcomes, and embraces all people. Our concerts have always been and will continue to be a place to not just enjoy an artistic fusion experience but also serve as a haven where cultures and experiences are celebrated on stage in an effort to bring diverse people together learning with and from one another.

The arts and artists have always served to spotlight social justice (or injustices) and invite open inquiry and discussion.

There is no time like the present to have approachable and kind conversations as we, the residents of an extremely diverse and progressive Portland, explore our similarities and the special traits that make each of us unique. Music and the arts must serve to unite communities. As artists, community members, and enthusiasts of the arts, we must all answer the call to be bridge builders. By honoring our uniqueness, we unite as one.

To this end, Portland Chamber Orchestra is committed to the following philosophies and principles:

1.  We are motivated to be reflective of the audiences we serve. The driving force for the programmatic activities we create and perform is to create representation of all cultures, races, ethnicities, and gender identities of Greater Portland in our musicians and our work.

2.  It is our desire to continue to evolve the audience we serve to ensure progressively becoming ever more reflective of rapidly diversifying community.

3.  Reduce economic and transportation barriers to create inclusion in the arts community for all residents.

4.  Through both our traditional concert season as well as newly developed neighborhood activities, we will diversify and create equity among our own audiences. Further, we are energized to join in thought leadership with other arts and community partners to develop diversity-, equity- and inclusion-based programming opportunities that will explore topics in sexuality, race, social justice, and culture through multiple lenses.

As a collaborative innovator in the creative sector, Portland Chamber Orchestra is honored and excited to provide beauty and a sense of community to all of Portland. We are committed to excellence –making our community happier, more vibrant, and ensuring all residents the opportunity to connect to the arts and to each other.

- YAACOV BERGMAN
Artistic Director/Conductor