Arts Consulting Group (ACG) congratulates past client Portland Japanese Garden on completing its $33.5 million expansion. ACG previously conducted a national executive search process for Portland Japanese Garden, placing Tom Cirillo as Chief Development Officer in 2015.
Designed by world renowned architect Kengo Kuma, who is also spearheading the National Stadium for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Portland Japanese Garden’s new Cultural Village not only provides additional space to accommodate its rapid visitor growth but also enhances its ability to immerse visitors in traditional Japanese arts and culture.
The $33.5 million expansion, which opened on April 1, 2017, represents Mr. Kuma’s first public commission in the United States. He worked together with the Portland Japanese Garden’s Curator, third generation master garden craftsman Sadafumi Uchiyama, to design the new Cultural Village in honor of the singular experience of each visitor and to ensure the serenity is protected for future generations. With this expansion, Mr. Kuma and Mr. Uchiyama reused and optimized existing land, adding 3.4 acres of usable space to the 9.1-acre property to create an immersive, fluid journey for guests. Some 500,000 people are projected to visit the Portland Japanese Garden this year.
The expansion, as well as the development of the International Japanese Garden Training Center, was funded by private donors, grants, and state appropriations. Multimillion dollar donations were made by Japanese Garden Trustees, art patron Arlene Schnitzer, state and national foundations, philanthropists in Japan, and garden members. A $500,000 matching grant was also provided by The National Endowment for the Humanities.
“It has been a great honor to be a part of this historic expansion of one of the most renowned Japanese gardens and cultural centers in the world,” said Mr. Cirillo. “One can never stop learning in our field and the opportunity to work alongside the Portland Japanese Garden’s extraordinary staff and board leadership to complete our $33.5 million capital campaign for this project has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
“Congratulations to CEO Steve Bloom, Tom Cirillo, and the entire team at Portland Japanese Garden on their outstanding facility expansion,” said ACG Senior Vice President Rebekah Lambert. “ACG is thrilled that the organization is making such impressive strides to enhance the cultural experiences and offerings available to the Portland community and visitors from around the world.”
June 2017