
PORTLAND ARTS & LECTURES
FAQ
Please reach out to us at la@literary-arts.org if you have any further questions about Portland Arts & Lectures.
Subscriptions for the 2022/23 season are now closed. Single tickets to Ada Limón on April 20, 2023 are on sale now. We will announce the 2023/24 season lineup on April 20.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the lineup for the 2022–23 season?
We are thrilled to announce the lineup for our 38th season of presenting. Click here to learn more about the authors.

Thursday, September 22, 2022: Abdulrazak Gurnah
Thursday, November 17, 2022: Anthony Doerr
Wednesday, January 18, 2023: Lauren Groff
Wednesday, February 22, 2023: Patrick Radden Keefe
Thursday, April 20, 2023: Ada Limón
When and where are the lectures held?
All lectures take place at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall at 1037 SW Broadway, Portland, OR. All lectures begin at 7:30 p.m. and are approximately 1 hour long, followed by a Q&A. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Please take note of each individual lecture date below. Email reminders are sent the week before each event.
Thursday, September 22, 2022: Abdulrazak Gurnah
Thursday, November 17, 2022: Anthony Doerr
Wednesday, January 18, 2023: Lauren Groff
Wednesday, February 22, 2023: Patrick Radden Keefe
Thursday, April 20, 2023: Ada Limón
Will the 2022–23 season include the option to watch virtually?
No. We are returning to 100% in person presenting for the 2022–23 season of Portland Arts & Lectures. We are not planning to continue to offer a hybrid option for future seasons. The cost per lecture—over $30,0000 in additional expenses—to produce essentially two simultaneous events is unsustainable. We do commit to you that if we are ever again unable to present in person due to public health mandates, we will work to reschedule events to a time where we can gather safely, or consider returning to a fully virtual format.
Our events and lectures are designed to be experienced in person. The shared humanity of laughing (and sometimes crying) together, the sound of applause, the buzz of energy from the stage and the people around us—that is the magic of almost four decades of Portland Arts & Lectures.
I am a past subscriber; will my seats remain the same?
If you were a Reserved or Patron subscriber for the 2021/22 season your seats will automatically remain the same if you renew by May 31, 2022. If your subscription has lapsed you are not guaranteed the same seats as previous seasons. Please note: if you have a General Admission or Upper Balcony subscription, your sections are open seating, meaning they are first-come, first-served each lecture.
How do I make specific seating requests?
For Reserved and Patron subscriptions, please make a note of any seating requests when you renew or subscribe online. We look at these requests in the order they were received, so renewing early means there is a higher chance we can accommodate the request. Please note: if you have a General Admission or Upper Balcony subscription, your sections are open seating, meaning they are first-come, first-served each lecture.
I am unable to attend these lectures in person. What are my options if I cannot watch virtually?
Most of our lectures are recorded and most are broadcast on our OPB radio show and podcast The Archive Project, where they are accessible to those who are unable to join us in the concert hall.
What accessibility options do I have at the venue?
Portland’5 is dedicated to bringing arts performances to as many people as possible, including those who may need auditory, visual or mobility assistance. We go beyond mere compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act to make sure all of our audience members have an exceptional experience.
Please select from the following options for more accessibility information:
For Patrons and Visitors with Mobility Disabilities
For Patrons and Visitors who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
For Patrons and Visitors who are Blind or have Low Vision
For Patrons and Visitors with Sensory Needs
For Patrons and Visitors Using a Service Animal
For additional accessibility information including parking, entrances, and seating, please click here.
What are your masking and vaccination policies for in-person events?
We are closely monitoring federal and state regulations and recommendations. Currently, most of our events in partner venues do not require proof of vaccination. Wearing a face mask is optional but strongly recommended. Vaccination and masking policies will vary for all our events this season and will depend on factors such as public health mandates, venue requirements, and artist preferences, which are subject to change. We will communicate each event’s attendance requirements via their individual event page. The most up-to-date information about our COVID-19 policies for in-person programming can be found here. If you have questions, please email us at la@literary-arts.org.
Are you raising prices for the 2022–23 season?
Yes. For the first time since the 2017–18 season we will be raising prices across all subscription levels. However, we are offering last year’s prices through the end of May 2022 as an incentive to renew your subscription early! The old and new prices are listed below:
Patron: $355 / $425
Reserved: $250 / $300
General Admission: $165 / $200
GA discount: $140 / $170
Upper Balcony: $90 / $110
What is your refund policy?
Our typical policy is that Portland Arts & Lectures subscriptions are non-refundable. However, we understand that your circumstances may have changed due to the ongoing health crisis. Please call us at 503-227-2583, option 2 to discuss options for cancelling your subscription.
If you are unable to attend an individual lecture, we ask that you consider supporting Literary Arts’ continued work by turning the cost of your ticket into a tax-deductible donation. Donated tickets allow event access for students and community members who may not otherwise be able to participate. Please submit your donation request to la@literary-arts.org no later than 7 days before the scheduled event
What is your inclement weather policy?
We don’t cancel events due to weather except in the most severe of conditions. We will send out an email and put a note on the event page if the event is going to be canceled. Unless it is noted on our website, you can assume the event will go on. If an event is canceled due to weather, we will reschedule it for another date.
Are you offering Arts for All $5 tickets?
We offer $5 Arts for All tickets for walk up in-person purchasing the night of event, starting at 5:30 p.m. Arts for All ticket buyers must show proof of a SNAP or Oregon Trail Card when they walk up to get tickets from the Portland’5 Box Office, and are limited to two tickets.
If you have further questions, please reach out to us at: la@literary-arts.org