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The City of Portland, Oregon

Nick Fish (In Memoriam)

City of Portland Commissioner

phone: 503-823-3589

Email: nick@portlandoregon.gov

1221 S.W. 4th, Room 240, Portland, OR 97204

Portland’s Creative Economy at a Crossroads

January 9, 2018

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