Brooke Waterhouse

Brooke Waterhouse is a visionary entrepreneur supporting arts and culture, with 15+ years of experience in the art industry. Curator, producer, and connector working at the intersection of art, culture, and human connection. Co-founder of POR:TA Association in Lisbon and founder of Project One Gallery in San Francisco. Served on the boards of Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Slide Ranch, and Free Free. Heart-led leader, humanitarian, and mother of two.

What inspired you to create POR:TA, and what gap did you see in the cultural landscape?

POR:TA was born out of both love and necessity. When we arrived in Lisbon in 2020, we found a country rich with extraordinary artistic talent, rooted in deep traditions yet alive with new experimentation. But too often these voices lacked visibility, resources, and sustainable support.
What we envisioned was not another gallery, but an association for all the arts — “Por todas as Artes.” From the very beginning, our intention was simple and urgent: to open doors where few existed. Today, POR:TA serves as a cultural gateway, bridging disciplines, preserving heritage while embracing innovation, and creating a living platform for artists to thrive. We have already seen artists flourish through our initiatives, such as SKOOLA, Passo ao Futuro, Marcelo Moscheta, Cordell, and through programs like our Music Sessions, Art Talks, and Open Calls, which underscores the importance of this cultural support.

How would you describe POR:TA’s mission in your own words?
At its core, POR:TA is about care, advocacy, and voice. In many ways, we have become activists — because to support the arts today is to fight for visibility, resources, and recognition. Above all, we exist to stand beside artists and to give culture the voice it deserves.
Everything we do revolves around connection: to support artists, to connect them with art lovers, and to inspire everyone we encounter. That is our value system, and it continues to infuse everything we touch.
One of the most direct ways we live this mission is through our Open Calls  invitations that provide visibility, funding, and opportunities to artists based in Portugal. To engage with these Open Calls or learn more, visit our website at www.portaassociation.com, where artists and supporters alike can participate and contribute.

What role does community engagement play in POR:TA’s projects?
Community is not a program for us; it is the pulse of our work. We design spaces where people feel invited, seen, and essential to the cultural dialogue.
Our Music Sessions have become beloved moments of joy, intimacy, and exchange. On October 15th we will launch Artist Talks, a monthly gathering to deepen conversation between artists and audiences. And this autumn, our Digital Arts Open Call will expand visibility to a new generation of creators. These events provide accessible ways for audiences to experience, engage, and contribute to Portugal’s vibrant cultural community.

Where do you hope to see POR:TA in five years?
We imagine a future where our Open Calls are highly celebrated, widely visible, and accessible to artists across Portugal. We hope to grow a strong membership at the core of our association — an inclusive circle of people who believe in the power of art to connect and transform.
Our vision is for POR:TA to become fully sustainable, so that it remains not only present but vital within Portugal’s cultural fabric. And above all, we want POR:TA to continue as a fearless, generous voice for the arts visible, relevant, and essential.

How can people best support POR:TA and the artists you champion?
The most powerful way to support POR:TA is by joining our Patron community or making a financial contribution that sustains our programs. These commitments create the conditions for artists to flourish and for culture itself to thrive.
Equally meaningful is showing up: attend events, collect the work, share the word, and collaborate with artists. Every gesture matters, but it is through collective investment that we ensure POR:TA remains a vital and lasting force in Portugal’s cultural fabric.

To get involved or learn about membership and sponsorship opportunities, visit the website at www.portaassociation.com or contact at info@portaassociation.com.