Press Release: Open Signal Triples Community Engagement in 2017

December 20, 2017

Open Signal triples community engagement in 2017

New annual report outlines major accomplishments for Portland’s media arts center 


PORTLAND, ORE. – December 20, 2017 – Open Signal releases its 2017 annual report today, sharing dramatic results from its first year in operation as a community-driven media arts center.

Highlights of Open Signal's fiscal year 2017 (July 2016 – June 2017) include:

  • More than triple the number of people engaged through public events, classes, community partnerships and equipment reservations over fiscal year 2016 (numbers jumped from 1,658 people served in 2016 to 5,244 served in 2017)
  • More than quadruple the number of equipment certifications awarded, enabling Portlanders to check out equipment from Open Signal's media library for free (158 certifications were delivered in 2016, with 710 awarded in 2017)
  • Renovated public facilities, including a dedicated classroom, a public exhibition/event space and revamped video editing and animation suites 
  • A landmark $90,000 grant from the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation
  • New programs including a fellowship for mediamakers from marginalized communities, immersive media arts events, exhibitions and school programs
  • Partnerships with community groups like Open School North, City Club of Portland, Lents Youth Initiative, Regional Arts & Culture Council, the Media Institute for Social Change and Vanport Mosaic

Download the full report.

Open Signal's annual report reveals major growth during fiscal year 2017, including this data on page 28.

Open Signal builds upon the 35-year legacy and facilities of Portland Community Media (PCM), a public access TV station with funding from the Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission, an entity of the City of Portland. After the hire of Justen Harn as PCM’s executive director in January 2016, followed by several additional leadership staff, the organization began to see rapid change, resulting in new programs, increased private funding, and an updated vision for the possibilities of community media. PCM ultimately transformed into Open Signal in January 2017.

“This report confirms what we already knew to be true: Open Signal is on a roll,” said Lisa Faust, Open Signal Board Chair and Senior Vice President at Columbia Bank. “This is nothing less than an extraordinary organization and its very capable staff are providing new and needed services to the City of Portland.”

With an equal commitment to creativity and social impact, Open Signal provides state-of-the-art media tools and production facilities, education for youth and adults, and exhibitions to the public for free or low-cost rates. Open Signal continues running longtime PCM initiatives, including a free media equipment library, and five independently produced cable channels, which broadcast to 400,000 households in the Portland metro area. 

Download Open Signal’s full annual report and winter/spring program catalog here.


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Contact

Rebecca BurrellDirector of Strategy & Development 
rebecca [at] opensignalpdx.org  
(503) 673-8709

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