This morning, City Council held a work session to discuss a set of recommendations by Commissioner Fish to protect and expand affordable arts spaces. You can read the proposal here.

For the past two years, Nick and his team have been convening meetings with key community stakeholders and studying best practices from sister cities like Seattle, San Francisco, Denver, and Austin.

As we know, Portland is experiencing rapid growth and a housing crisis. This in turn threatens to displace artists and arts organizations.

Portland has long been a creative hub, with artists and makers of every type finding a niche here. But unless we are intentional about preserving our creative economy, we risk losing what makes Portland special.

Thanks to the many community leaders, local artists and arts organizations, neighborhood groups, property owners, and developers who gave us feedback and helped to shape these recommendations.

A Plan for Preserving and Expanding Affordable Arts Space in Portland

Commissioner Fish with Mayor Wheeler and Commissioner Eudaly

Media

As Rents Rise, City Seeks Ways to Save Arts Scene

Jim Redden in the Portland Tribune

Can City Council Help Save Portland’s Endangered Arts Spaces?

Fiona McCann in Portland Monthly

City Council Considers How to Keep Artists in Portland

Claire Duffy in the Portland Business Journal

Portland City Council to Consider Preserving Space for Art

April Baer in OPB News

The Weekly Catch

Jan 12, 2018 at 8:34 AM

Arts Affordability

Keeping Portland’s Creative Economy Strong

Nick Fish Blog

As Rents Rise, City Seeks Ways to Save Arts Scene

Jim Redden in the Portland Tribune

Portland City Council to Consider Preserving Space for Art

April Baer in OPB News

Can City Council Help Save Portland’s Endangered Arts Spaces?

Fiona McCann in Portland Monthly

City Council Considers How to Keep Artists in Portland

Clare Duffy in the Portland Business Journal

Marijuana

Portland Leaders Denounce Federal Stance on Marijuana in Letter to Oregon’s Top Prosecutor

Jessica Floum in The Oregonian

PDX City Leaders Urge DA Not to Intervene in Marijuana-Related Enforcement

KATU News

Portland Council Calls on Oregon's Top Prosecutor to Defend Cannabis

Ryan Haas in OPB News

Salmon in Our City

Creating a Healthy Watershed

Sam Stites in the Lake Oswego Review

Oaks Bottom Project will Close Springwater Path for Four Months this Summer

Jonathan Maus in BikePortland

Court Approves Plan to Help Salmon By Spilling More Water Over Columbia River Dams

Cassandra Profita in OPB News

In Other News

Public Celebration of Vera Katz's Life Set for Jan. 28

Jim Redden in the Portland Tribune

Adrienne Nelson: Following her Oath

Zane Sparling in the Portland Tribune

Is the City Trying to Soak Houseboat Residents?

Steve Law in the Portland Tribune

Groundwater 101: Did You Know…

The Portland Water Blog

Portland Sewer Project Closes Part of SE 20th Ave. for Up to a Month

KATU News

Speed Limits Expected to Drop on Residential Streets

Jim Redden in the Portland Tribune

Providence Park Stadium Expansion Construction is Underway and On Schedule

Jamie Goldberg in The Oregonian

Announcing Portland's Next Creative Laureate

Jan 16, 2018 at 4:10 PM

January 16, 2018

This morning, Commissioner Fish introduced Subashini “Suba” Ganesan as the City’s next Creative Laureate.

Suba is a leader in the regional arts community, an educator, a performer, and a non-profit founder. An immigrant from Singapore, one of Suba’s goals as Creative Laureate is to celebrate diverse artists and art styles.

The Creative Laureate, established in 2012, serves as the official ambassador for the broader creative community in Portland. The Laureate participates in community education, advocacy, and public events including speaking engagements, workshops, and ceremonial functions.