Open Signal

Mission

Open Signal’s mission is to nurture the change-making power of community media in service of a just and equitable world.

Bottom Line for Portland

At Open Signal you can freely access cameras, production studios, equipment and training to bring your film, stream, or tv production to the screen. We operate with a dedication to those who face barriers to accessing the media arts and industry — acknowledging that communities of color, especially Black and Indigenous peoples, those with disabilities, living with low incomes, and/or for whom English is a second language, continue to have the least access and opportunity (even in a progressive city like Portland).

Quote

“Over the course of five months through Open Signal’s cohort program, I went from having no experience to at the end feeling confident enough to get work as a videographer and create media. By supporting Open Signal, you’re supporting artists like me.”

  Nsayi Matingou, Director/Producer, Speak Your Truth

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Open Signal understands that holding “equal access," “impartiality” or “first come, first served” as policies for service cannot meaningfully address inequity within a society that is unjust in its structures. Just as to be “color-blind” is not supposedly to see people without race, but rather, to ignore the privileges afforded to whiteness and the disenfranchisement of people of color. To achieve equity, the goal of our service must be to make up for and counterbalance the impact of historical and systemic injustice. We believe that when we center and address the needs of those with lived experience of oppression, we are tipping the balance of power toward equity.

Incentives

• All donors who give between Nov 1 - Nov 22 will receive 2 tickets to Lights, Camera, Connection: Experience Open Signal on November 23rd.

• All donors who give $100 or more will receive a limited edition t-shirt from Grilka Press.

• All donors who give $60 or more will receive a denim Open Signal tote bag.

• All donors receive a 1-year Open Signal membership which includes access to cameras, studios, and production equipment, members' only workshops and events, and free studio reservations. Training and orientation required!

Partner(s)

We are proud to support our non-profit community — thank you to Passin' Art Theatre, FinAbility, People of Color Outdoors, Brown Girl Rise, and Oregon Humanities for all you do for our communities and for generously partnering with Open Signal for the 2024 Give!Guide!

We are so grateful for our local business partners — including Instrument's Lavender Haüs Affinity Group, whose mission is furthering the growth, learning, and support for LGBTQIA2S+ individuals at Instrument.

And thank you to Grilka Press for supporting our campaign and keeping our fits legit!