Thank you for a great 2017 season!
Friends of Congress Square Park is dedicated to the preservation, enhancement and use of this important public space at the heart of Portland’s Arts District. We fulfill our mission through community-led creative placemaking, striving to meet our neighbor’s needs, aspirations and vision for the park.
In 2017, our In the Square season saw over 96 free public evening and weekend events hosted from May through October featuring live music, films, dance, theatre, yoga, circus, art interactions, and more. Plus, our weekly daytime activities happened again in 2017, featuring Tai Chi Chih/Qigong, Knitting, Crafternoons, and Games & Fun. Checkmates! chess brightened Saturday mornings, too.
We’re grateful to our many collaborators, including series partners like Portland Summer Films, West End Neighborhood Association, Portland Swing Project, and Portland Intown Contra Dance, and the many organizations and performers who brought their skills and diverse offerings to the Square. We have great appreciation for PM Salsa with Primo Cubano, Robin’s Zodiac Yoga, Portland Ovations, Pickwick Independent Press, Theater Ensemble of Color, Fenix Theatre Co., Make Music Portland, Waking Windows, Maine Academy of Music, Cast Aside Productions, Sparks Artist Collective, and the many, many others who brought us together with their art last season.
In addition to our programming, our colorful amenities and free Wi-Fi attracted visitors during other times of the day to read, eat, create, meet with friends, or relax in an urban oasis. Since its inception, FoCSP’s creative placemaking has drawn well over 80,000 estimated visitors to the park.
Our park stewards and volunteers generously gave their time and effort to ensure that the park stayed beautiful, safe, and lively throughout the whole season. More than 3,646 hours of volunteer time was invested last season.
Your generous contributions enabled us to present these free arts events & activities, as well as offer free WiFi, provide colorful public amenities, improve the plantings, and create a welcoming and beloved gathering place.
Funding for our 2017 season was also provided in part by critical investments by Diversified Communications, the Horizon Foundation, The Westin Portland Harborview Hotel, the Fisher Charitable Foundation, the Davis Family Foundation, the Maine Arts Commission, Old Bug Light Foundation, Davis Family Foundation, Elimina B. Sewall Foundation.
We couldn’t have had such a successful season without generous commitment from our performers and partners, stewards, funders and sponsors, donors, audience members, and YOU – in all the ways you gave. We are so very appreciative to all of you!
See you in our 2018 season, which starts in May!
