2026-27 SEASON
Portland Arts & Lectures
Since 1984, Portland Arts & Lectures has brought celebrated writers, artists, and thinkers to our community to discuss their work and the trajectory of contemporary culture, connecting readers and writers of all ages in a spirit of intellectual curiosity and engagement with events, classroom visits, and forums.
2026–27 SEASON
We are pleased to announce the lineup of the 42nd season of Portland Arts & Lectures. Click the image below to find out more!
Excited to learn more? Check out our FAQs on Portland Arts & Lectures subscriptions
“By supporting readers, writers, and books, Literary Arts is doing the difficult and crucial work of building engaged communities, and for me, this is nothing short of protecting a democratic society that recognizes that you and I are deeply united by our vision of a world that is better, truer, and freer.”
Min Jin Lee, 2019/20 Portland Arts & Lectures Speaker
Portland Arts& Lectures Updates
To create access for our wider community we need the support of event sponsors.
If you or your company is interested in sponsorship, please email development@literary-arts.org.
The Archive Project
In addition to live lecture events, our Portland Arts & Lectures program connects readers and writers of all ages through classroom visits and workshops for professional writers. Events are featured on The Archive Project, our weekly radio show and podcast.
Past Seasons
For more than four decades, Portland Arts & Lectures has presented the greatest writers and thinkers of our time. Browse past speakers by season and listen on our podcast, The Archive Project.
Donate to Youth Programs
We provide local high school students with tickets and transportation to our concert hall events. Make a donation to help ensure students have access to these transformative arts experiences.
Community Tickets
We reserve seats for local community organizations at our concert hall events. Contact us at la@literary-arts.org for more information about receiving free or discounted tickets.
“I’ve had the good luck to participate in many lecture series, and Portland Arts and Lectures is the gold standard. They’ve established a virtuous cycle of literary engagement among local writers, local high schools, and an avid and vibrant reading community. The visiting writer gets to reach and interact with all three, meaningfully and efficiently.”
Jennifer Egan, Portland Arts & Lectures Author
