of counsel, of course .
Jutta Allen’s impact on the performing arts in Portland dates back to 1980 when she moved from Boston to Portland with her husband and became director of PR and marketing for the Portland Opera. A native of Germany born into the aristocracy in post World War II Stuttgart, she posessed all the skills necessary to bring peace between administra- tive and artistic forces within an opera company known for its larger- than-life personas in both camps. On short order, Allen made alliances with key donors to usher in a new era of artistic glitterati that was met with welcome praise from local audiences. Her abundant skillset is well-documented having served as a key member of team to produce an opera in conjunction with the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games and publishing a monthly magazine in the Bay Area. Her talents led her to act as press agent for Lily Tomlin’s Is There Intelligent Life in the Universe where the actress won a Tony in 1986. Influence naturally travels with Allen, who was personally mentored by Dorothea Lensch, Portland Park and Recreation’s first director of recreation and later by Mabel Gearhart, who bridged the gap between patrons of the arts through her novel event concepts and was one of Portland’s first female ambassadors of goodwill and official greeters as a Royal Rosarian. She recognizes her role as general director of The Musical Theatre Company where she produced over 100 musicals for Portland audi- ences as the most pivotal challenge in presenting quality performanc- es. Donations were not easily accessible even during Portland’s own Gilded Age of the 1980’s through the 1990’s where donors worked in mysterious ways: “I once told a group of friends about a cash flow dilemma for a production. By the end of the week, I had received a check to cover the entire production’s payroll from an unrelated party.” Acting as a de facto advisor to artistic leaders and donors often means hearing news - both good and bad - before it reaches the ears of the general public. She’s brokered deals, made introductions for boards and committees, and has been the longstanding keeper of the oral history of decades of artistic lore that is usually forgotten but has dis- tinct relevance to issues that the arts confront today. Besides returning to lead the Portland Opera Guild as president after a previous five-year term, she has served on a number of committees at the Multnomah Athletic Club where she won its prestigous McAlpin Award for her work to further quality social programming within the club. After 19 years as the Oregon District Director for the Metropoli- tan Opera National Council, she is active as a member of the Friendly House Board of Directors. “It was out of my comfort zone since my life has been so aligned with the entertainment business,” she explains. “But, branching out into new categories is an important part of serving the community as well.” While she misses all her late friends who were the usual godfathers and godmothers of generosity to arts organizations like Sam Wheeler, John Hampton, MIddy Macdonald, Mitzi Ellis, Alyce Cheatham and so many more, her favorite bantering partner Jeannine Cowles provided the most unsual brand of philanthropic spirit to all occasions. “She did like to argue her point,” confesses Allen. “But she enjoyed a show so much that at intermission she stuffed a piece of paper in my pocket. Thank goodness I reached in the pocket afterward as the paper was a $10,000 check. Spontaneous giving at its best!” When not enjoying any number of activities like the Portland State University School of Arts Deans’ Advisory Council, she and her partner Steve Biles enjoy travel and hosting events at “the farm.” As she gaz- es off to the evening sunset, chances are Jutta Allen is on the phone giving wise counsel to any number of board volunteers and artistic professionals who trust in her guidance as she reminds each one, “we cannot be a civilization without the arts. That’s a necessity.”
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Jutta Allen has been an arts advocate in Portland for nearly 50 years. PHOTO: Cameron Perkins Photography
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