2026 Time-Based Art Festival @ Portland Institute for Contemporary Art | Experimental Performances, Live Music, Dance & More

From our sponsors:
(opens in new tab)Time-Based Art Festival
September 9-13, 2026
Full Schedule and Tickets: pica.org/tba(opens in new tab)

Portland Institute for Contemporary Art
15 NE Hancock St, Portland, OR 97212

Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA) presents TBA:26, the 24th edition of the Time-Based Art Festival, taking place September 9 through 13. This year’s festival brings artists and audiences together for its annual celebration of creative expression that can best be experienced together, in the present moment. (opens in new tab)The 52 artists and collaborators featured in TBA:26 boldly and poignantly address the pressing issues of our time through themes of desire, history, and change, while at the same time, offering expressions of hope for our collective future.

TBA:26 opens with a bingo night and live-music fundraiser benefiting the nonprofit organization Elbow Room, followed by a diverse lineup of performances, talks, workshops, and more from renowned artists working both locally and across the globe. During the festival, audiences can experience these programs at venues throughout Portland, including the world premiere of Holland Andrews + yuniya edi kwon’s opera How does it feel to look at nothing at the Winningstad Theatre and the West Coast premiere of Clayton Lee’s surprise-filled performance The Goldberg Variations at PICA. Between events, frequent our outdoor Bar Garden to drink, eat, and commune as we gather for five days of visionary artistic offerings.

As one of the only festivals of its kind in the United States, TBA continues to serve as a vital space for new ideas to emerge and reimagining how we see ourselves and the world. In a time when so much can pull us apart from our shared humanity, TBA:26 welcomes togetherness—to witness, participate, and be with one another. Whether you’re drawn to irreverent performances, experimental music, opera, dance, or interactive experiences, this year’s festival offers countless opportunities to dream, spark conversation, and discover new perspectives through the transformative power of Time-Based Art.