Our Mission

The Arts Council of Lake Oswego works to ensure that arts are an integral part of life in our community, now and into the future.

We strive for our collective actions and commitment to result in:

  • Facilitate the placement and preservation of public art in Lake Oswego;

  • Provide access to art exhibitions for residents and visitors;

  • Advance lifelong learning through educational programs and tours.

History of Art in the City of Lake Oswego

The history of art in Lake Oswego spans several decades. It was in the 1960s that a small group of citizens presented their first art exhibit in the Lake Oswego Library. From that time, art became a priority for the City, which resulted in the establishment of the Lake Oswego Arts Commission in 1992. Operating as a Commission for the City Council, this group accomplished many outstanding art projects, including creating the permanent art collection of the City of Lake Oswego and creating the first outdoor rotating sculpture exhibit, Arts Downtown, now known as Lake Oswego’s Gallery Without Walls.

The Arts Council of Lake Oswego, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, now oversees the City’s extensive art collection, percent for art projects, the Public Art Committee, and care and conservation of the indoor and outdoor works. The outdoor collection boasts over eighty permanent and rotating works that enliven the streets and buildings of Lake Oswego. The rotating exhibition features nearly thirty works on loan from artists for two years, along with over fifty-five permanent pieces in the collection. In addition, our work includes oversight and management of the indoor public art collection of over 170 two- and three-dimensional works.

Equally important, ACLO provides a thoughtfully curated exhibition program at Artspace. Artspace is the only nonprofit visual arts gallery in Lake Oswego that offers free public programming with 1,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space and new shows every two months. Over 7,000 people visit annually, and we host monthly community events, including exhibition receptions with artists, workshops, events, and Art + Community in Conversation, a series promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, arts education, and hands-on programming through the visual arts.