Have you reviewed the recent “Our Creative Future” multi-county cultural plan (linked above)? Would you endorse the plan as a candidate?

Yes. The arts enrich our community by serving as a forum for dialogue and a means of expression for everyone. In every brushstroke and musical note, the arts reflect our shared experiences and diverse backgrounds. They invite introspection and engagement, allowing us to explore and celebrate our differences and commonalities. By promoting artistic initiatives, we create inclusive spaces where people can come together to share their stories, fears, and hopes. Community art projects and performances not only beautify public spaces but also foster a sense of ownership and pride among residents. The process of creating art collaboratively encourages respect and understanding, nurturing relationships that transcend societal divides. In our city, the arts function as a catalyst for social change, initiating conversations that are crucial for building a stronger, more connected community. Supporting the arts means advocating for a thriving culture of communication, creativity, and compassion, ultimately leading to a healthier, more united society where diversity is celebrated and cherished.

Portland is facing job losses, particularly in the downtown core. How can arts/culture workforce investments be part of a wider strategy to improve the workforce outlook for the region?

Portland’s path to economic recovery and job growth must include strategic investments in our arts and culture sector. As your candidate, I propose establishing a Creative Industries Incubator downtown, providing affordable workspace, mentorship, and resources for emerging artists and cultural entrepreneurs. This will foster job creation and innovation in our city core. We’ll also implement a Cultural Tourism Initiative, partnering with local artists and venues to create immersive experiences that draw visitors and stimulate our hospitality sector. Additionally, we’ll launch an Arts in Education program, integrating local artists into our schools to enrich curriculum and create supplementary income streams for creatives. These initiatives will not only generate direct employment in the arts but also enhance Portland’s appeal as a dynamic, creative city – attracting businesses and talent across various industries. By recognizing our cultural assets as economic drivers, we can build a more diverse, resilient workforce that reflects Portland’s unique character and propels our region toward a prosperous future.

Arts, culture, design and creative entrepreneurship are key elements of Portland’s national and regional brand. Portland has the fourth-highest concentration of artists in the nation, after New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. What policies or investments would you back to ensure that arts, culture and the creative economy are part of the city’s priorities in investments and new policies?

As a candidate committed to Portland’s vibrant cultural scene, I propose establishing a dedicated Arts and Culture Endowment Fund. This fund, inspired by Norway’s Sovereign Wealth Fund model, would provide stable, long-term funding for our creative sector. I’ll advocate for allocating a percentage of city revenue to this endowment, ensuring sustainable support for artists, cultural organizations, and creative entrepreneurs. Additionally, I’ll push for policies that incentivize the use of vacant commercial spaces as affordable studios and galleries, fostering a thriving creative ecosystem. To nurture our talent pipeline, I’ll champion increased funding for arts education in public schools and support apprenticeship programs connecting emerging artists with established professionals. Recognizing the economic impact of our creative industries, I’ll work to attract more film and television productions to Portland through competitive tax incentives. By investing in our artistic community, we not only preserve Portland’s unique cultural identity but also drive economic growth, tourism, and innovation across sectors. Together, we can ensure that Portland remains a beacon for creativity and artistic excellence.

How do you see museums, cultural institutions, creative independent venues, nightlife and festivals as part of the downtown revitalization and general community stabilization?

Downtown revitalization and community stabilization hinge on creating a vibrant, diverse ecosystem of attractions. Museums, cultural institutions, and creative venues play a crucial role in this vision. As your candidate, I propose a multi-faceted approach to leverage these assets. First, we’ll establish a “Cultural Corridor” initiative, linking our museums and institutions with improved pedestrian access and public art installations. This will create an inviting urban experience that draws people downtown. Second, we’ll implement a “Nightlife Revitalization Fund” to support independent venues and help them upgrade facilities and programming. Third, we’ll develop a year-round festival calendar, showcasing Portland’s diverse cultural heritage and contemporary creativity. These events will not only enliven our streets but also provide economic opportunities for local artists and businesses. By fostering a rich tapestry of cultural experiences, we can transform downtown into a destination that reflects our community’s values and attracts both residents and visitors, driving economic growth and social cohesion.

Portland is home to an incredibly diverse range of cultural organizations, artists co-ops, and small businesses that make our neighborhoods unique and distinct. What small business and cultural activation ideas do you have for Portland’s neighborhoods?

As a lifelong Portlander, I recognize the vital role our diverse cultural organizations, artist co-ops, and small businesses play in making our neighborhoods unique. To support and enhance these local treasures, I propose creating a network of neighborhood business incubator spaces in underutilized commercial properties. These spaces would offer low-cost rent and shared resources to help local entrepreneurs and artists launch and grow their ventures. Additionally, I advocate for expanding the Portland Street Response program to a 24-hour operation, ensuring a safer environment for businesses and cultural events at all hours. To celebrate our city’s diversity, I suggest implementing a rotating “Cultural Spotlight” program, where each month a different neighborhood hosts cultural festivals, art walks, and pop-up markets highlighting local artists and businesses. By combining these initiatives with targeted grants and mentorship programs for minority-owned businesses, we can foster a vibrant, inclusive economy that reflects Portland’s unique character and supports the creative spirit that defines our city.

Have you reviewed the recent “Our Creative Future” multi-county cultural plan (linked above)? Would you endorse the plan as a candidate?

Yes, I’ve reviewed the Our Creative Future Plan, and am delighted to see it completed. As someone who was dual enrolled in an all ages school with an amazing art program during high school and a performing arts high school, I would absolutely endorse the plan as a northstar for the arts in the region. Sustainable cities are cities that embrace the breadth of cultural expression, and cultures, and I look forward to seeing the plan to fruition.

Portland is facing job losses, particularly in the downtown core. How can arts/culture workforce investments be part of a wider strategy to improve the workforce outlook for the region?

We need to re-establish Portland as the arts center it has been in the past. Part of that is working to increase income eligibility for first-time home buyers, and using other tools to make housing more affordable. That could look like partnerships between the city and cultural institutions and private sector employers. When we have a workforce that is able to live in Portland, the arts scene will thrive. This region has a rich history of arts and cultural since before white settlers got here. We can bring that back if we can improve housing affordability.

Arts, culture, design and creative entrepreneurship are key elements of Portland’s national and regional brand. Portland has the fourth-highest concentration of artists in the nation, after New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. What policies or investments would you back to ensure that arts, culture and the creative economy are part of the city’s priorities in investments and new policies?

To support and sustain the growth of arts, culture, and creative entrepreneurship in Portland, I would advocate for the following policies and investments:

Increased Funding for Arts Programs: Establish a dedicated arts fund to support both emerging and established artists, as well as creative entrepreneurs. This would include grants, residencies, and public art projects that are accessible to diverse communities, ensuring a more inclusive cultural landscape.I see some small NW communities doing this well.

Affordable Workspaces and Housing: Portland’s rising cost of living can push artists and creatives out of the city. Policies that provide affordable live-work spaces, subsidized studio rentals, and incentives for developers to include artist-friendly spaces in new developments would help maintain Portland as an accessible hub for creatives.

Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage collaborations between local government, private businesses, and arts organizations to invest in cultural infrastructure.

Arts Education and Career Pathways: Strengthen arts education in public schools and invest in career development programs for young people interested in creative industries, such as Friends of Noise offerings. This could include partnerships with local art institutions, internships, and mentorship programs to foster the next generation.

How do you see museums, cultural institutions, creative independent venues, nightlife and festivals as part of the downtown revitalization and general community stabilization?

If there were more activity downtown, more activation of our arts and cultural institutions in the evenings, it would lead to safer streets, and the revitalization downtown needs. The institutions play a role, as do the independent venues, but honestly we need more housing downtown as a revitalization strategy. The winterlight festival is a great example of a bustling downtown with families and all kinds of Portlanders milling about and more events like that in collaboration with the institutions would be impactful.

Portland is home to an incredibly diverse range of cultural organizations, artists co-ops, and small businesses that make our neighborhoods unique and distinct. What small business and cultural activation ideas do you have for Portland’s neighborhoods?

We have a lot of abandoned churches in District 2 that could follow the trend of churches being converted to performance venues and provide business incubation, one stop business services, studio space for example.

Have you reviewed the recent “Our Creative Future” multi-county cultural plan (linked above)? Would you endorse the plan as a candidate?

The plan is vague and does not spell out definitive grant plans or monetary dispersal for artists and arts groups. The plan is marketed as a charter for how arts communication and activation in programming should go between government and city and arts organizations. I would endorse the plan with the understanding that I would help usher in firmer guidelines on how city funding and granting will work and make the process easy to understand.

Portland is facing job losses, particularly in the downtown core. How can arts/culture workforce investments be part of a wider strategy to improve the workforce outlook for the region?

Arts and culture is the backbone, the main support, and the draw for tourism in our city and, frankly, the entire state. Investing in nonprofits, artists, and gig workers means more businesses coming back to downtown, and helps support and promote the food and beverage economy in Portland while setting the example for everywhere of what this could look like. Directly investing in arts means directly investing in every economy that they touch.

Arts, culture, design and creative entrepreneurship are key elements of Portland’s national and regional brand. Portland has the fourth-highest concentration of artists in the nation, after New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. What policies or investments would you back to ensure that arts, culture and the creative economy are part of the city’s priorities in investments and new policies?

We still need to look out for businesses and arts organizations after the pandemic as the economy continues to change. I know we have intense revenue restraints in our city, but the only way to keep our city alive is through the creative spirit of our artists, musicians, and local, independent businesses.

We must invest more money in the artists, musicians and arts organizations like other thriving cities. I support the city upping its grants to mid-size arts organizations in our city, with stable, 5-year grants to support the diverse arts organizations that can activate our neighborhoods.

Let’s make it easier for independent, creative, local artists and musicians to get permitted for events in parks and venues. We must make permitting take less time, cost less, and stick.

The city needs a distinct, major investment in a brick-and-mortar downtown performance venue. We cannot shut down the Keller while another venue is built.

Let’s turn underutilized space downtown into locations for smaller arts organizations, artists, and musicians.

How do you see museums, cultural institutions, creative independent venues, nightlife and festivals as part of the downtown revitalization and general community stabilization?

Big institutional organizations, independent venues, nightlife, and festivals are all important and essential to developing continued investment culture in the arts. Equally important to this is uplifting individual artists and small business entrepreneurs in the arts and hospitality industry. We need these larger umbrella organizations to give opportunities to artists, musicians, service industry folks, and create avenues for the ecosystem to be built back with more actual equity driving it than sweat equity. When you have regular events, centers, and performances, you show the community and people traveling to the city center that this is our culture, this is what we do and what we promote. This is especially important when addressing houseless issues and crime, because we know that when arts are present, these things are less prevalent and that we are also helping our economic stability in the process.

Portland is home to an incredibly diverse range of cultural organizations, artists co-ops, and small businesses that make our neighborhoods unique and distinct. What small business and cultural activation ideas do you have for Portland’s neighborhoods?

I have deep respect for the artists and small, independent businesses that make every Portland neighborhood unique. I want to be an organizer and convener who makes sure our neighborhoods stay that way. We need affordable homes and workspaces for artists, culture makers, and community arts organizations. I want to help make sure Portlanders know where they can find arts programming, arts education, and bring our businesses and local artists together to find ways to help people.

Have you reviewed the recent “Our Creative Future” multi-county cultural plan (linked above)? Would you endorse the plan as a candidate?

Yes, I fully endorse the Our Creative Future plan. As the co-founder of Artify Creative Collaborative, I’ve witnessed how early exposure to the arts can be transformative for children and families. Our afterschool programs not only foster creativity, problem-solving, and confidence in young people but also support working parents and provide employment opportunities for local artists. “Our Creative Future’s” focus on expanding access to arts education and creative resources across all communities resonates deeply with my vision of using arts to build a vibrant, connected community. I am particularly supportive of the plan’s emphasis on lifelong engagement with the arts and its commitment to equity and cultural representation. Ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to engage with the arts, regardless of age or background, is essential to building a thriving city. As a city council member, I will work to coordinate efforts with county and regional partners to implement this plan effectively. By leveraging the arts as a catalyst for economic growth and community engagement, we can create a cultural landscape that supports artists, enriches lives, and drives economic vitality across Portland. Together, we can make arts and culture a cornerstone of our city’sfuture.

Portland is facing job losses, particularly in the downtown core. How can arts/culture workforce investments be part of a wider strategy to improve the workforce outlook for the region?

As a council member, I will support policies and programs that leverage arts and culture to revitalize Portland’s workforce, particularly in the downtown core. Investing in our cultural workforce not only creates jobs but also drives tourism, supports local businesses, and enhances our city’s vibrancy. I support replacing the Keller Auditorium with a state-of-the-art facility while ensuring it remains operational during the transition so that jobs and business are not disrupted.

I will advocate for lowering event fees and engaging philanthropy to help fund projects like a multi-use outdoor venue on the waterfront, attracting visitors and creating year-round opportunities for performers, artists, and local vendors. I also support providing grants and tax incentives for businesses that repurpose empty storefronts and office spaces for cultural performances and art displays, transforming underutilized areas into hubs of creativity and economic activity.

Expanding successful initiatives like the Winter Light Festival to create year-round events will draw people back to downtown, generate jobs, and boost cultural tourism. With a strategic focus on arts and culture, we can rebuild a dynamic and resilient workforce that benefits the entire region.

Arts, culture, design and creative entrepreneurship are key elements of Portland’s national and regional brand. Portland has the fourth-highest concentration of artists in the nation, after New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. What policies or investments would you back to ensure that arts, culture and the creative economy are part of the city’s priorities in investments and new policies?

Growing up in Eugene, I would travel to Portland for punk and ska shows, which fueled my passion for the arts and commitment to supporting local artists. Portland’s creative economy has always been a cornerstone of its identity and economic strength. I believe that investing in arts and culture is crucial to revitalizing our city. This includes supporting large-scale projects like replacing the Keller Auditorium, while also making targeted investments in neighborhoods such as the Lloyd District and Hollywood in North and Northeast Portland, which are in need of revitalization. I will advocate for supporting small venues, galleries, and creative spaces that serve as incubators for local talent and small businesses. Providing grants and low-interest loans to help renovate vacant storefronts for use as cultural venues, art studios, and performance spaces is one way to achieve this. I also support reducing event fees for small venues and offering tax incentives to businesses that host local artists or cultural events. To strengthen Portland’s creative economy, I will work to forge partnerships between the city, private sector, and philanthropic organizations. By focusing on both major cultural projects and neighborhood investments, we can ensure that the arts drive economic growth and enrich

How do you see museums, cultural institutions, creative independent venues, nightlife and festivals as part of the downtown revitalization and general community stabilization?

We need to give people compelling reasons to visit downtown. Museums, cultural institutions, independent venues, nightlife, and festivals are essential to creating a vibrant downtown that attracts both visitors and residents. These cultural assets not only boost tourism but also generate jobs and build a strong sense of community, which is crucial for the city’s economic recovery.

A thriving downtown will also attract businesses, helping to stabilize and reinvigorate the area. Hosting more festivals and cultural events will encourage people to return to the heart of the city, supporting local businesses and revitalizing the economy. By maintaining a diverse range of cultural activities, we can ensure that Portland remains a premier destination for arts and culture.

To adapt to the city’s evolving needs, we should also repurpose underutilized buildings into mixed-use spaces that include housing and offices. This strategy will create a more dynamic and sustainable downtown, where people can live, work, and experience cultural activities all in one place. By combining cultural investment with smart development, we can build a resilient and vibrant downtown that is both a lively destination and a thriving community, making Portland a more appealing place for everyone.

Portland is home to an incredibly diverse range of cultural organizations, artists co-ops, and small businesses that make our neighborhoods unique and distinct. What small business and cultural activation ideas do you have for Portland’s neighborhoods?

As a neighbor and prospective councilor I’m committed to supporting Portland’s diverse neighborhoods with small business and cultural activation initiatives. One idea is to create Neighborhood Arts and Culture Hubs in areas like St. Johns, Cully, and Alberta by transforming underutilized spaces into shared venues for local artists, co-ops, and cultural organizations. These hubs would offer affordable studio space, workshops, and serve as venues for neighborhood markets, performances, and festivals. Partnering with nonprofits and providing city grants or low-interest loans can help make these community-driven centers a reality.

I propose a Pop-Up Business Incubators and Cultural Events program to activate vacant storefronts and public spaces with temporary pop-up shops and cultural events. This initiative would offer short-term, low-cost leases to small businesses, artists, and food vendors, allowing them to test their ideas and reach new audiences. Imagine a series of Night Markets or a “Taste of Portland” art and food walk, bringing vibrancy and foot traffic to neighborhoods across the city.

Finally, I support a Neighborhood Creative Corridor Grant program to fund public art installations, murals, and community-driven cultural projects along key neighborhood corridors like Killingsworth and Sandy Boulevard. This would celebrate each area’s unique heritage and support local artists.

Have you reviewed the recent “Our Creative Future” multi-county cultural plan (linked above)? Would you endorse the plan as a candidate?

Yes, I would endorse this plan. I like that it brings a regional vision, allowing for each jurisdiction to adapt to suit their community priorities. I fully support it’s focus on “BIPOC, immigrants, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, the unhoused, neurodiverse, seniors, opportunity youth (young people aged 16-24 who are disconnected from education and work), and their community-based organizations” who are often left out of investments in arts access. I appreciate it calling out the opportunity to develop more public art opportunities, and take advantage of our parks, and other community settings as ways of amplifying arts access.

Portland is facing job losses, particularly in the downtown core. How can arts/culture workforce investments be part of a wider strategy to improve the workforce outlook for the region?

We can explore the conversion of our 30-35% vacant commercial spaces into studio and gallery space to revitalize the the downtown arts district. This can be part of a dynamic revitalization effort that includes housing development, green space development, public art renovation and installation, and collaborative events. I would also like to see us invest in our arts districts across the city, especially in a culturally relevant way that empowers communities to create the arts opportunities that are meaningful to them.

Arts, culture, design and creative entrepreneurship are key elements of Portland’s national and regional brand. Portland has the fourth-highest concentration of artists in the nation, after New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. What policies or investments would you back to ensure that arts, culture and the creative economy are part of the city’s priorities in investments and new policies?

Housing is central to my policy priorities, and is a critical part of the conversation as we talk about our local economy. We need to ensure that our artists, of all types and levels, have access to housing they can afford, and that our neighbors are not housing cost burdened so that they can go out and enjoy the arts and cultural experiences that our local industry offers our community.

How do you see museums, cultural institutions, creative independent venues, nightlife and festivals as part of the downtown revitalization and general community stabilization?

All of these elements come together to build a comprehensive network that contributes to revitalization. One of the values I outline in my platform is effective service networks, and this is a perfect example. Let’s create the opportunities that allow for the full variety of events and institutions to work together to build community. This might also marry with transit initiatives, housing initiatives, school partnerships, and other collaborations that bring the community to the arts and the arts to the community.

Portland is home to an incredibly diverse range of cultural organizations, artists co-ops, and small businesses that make our neighborhoods unique and distinct. What small business and cultural activation ideas do you have for Portland’s neighborhoods?

Small business incubators that allow creatives to focus on their passion, not the logistical elements of getting a business off the ground. Tax Increment Finance districts that prioritize local community and small business development, and not corporate and development interests. A regional vision of where there are disparities in access to arts and culture as a lens for public investment decisions.

Have you reviewed the recent “Our Creative Future” multi-county cultural plan (linked above)? Would you endorse the plan as a candidate?

I have reviewed the plan and would convene an information session with all the stakeholders to learn more about “Our Creative Future”. Arts and culture are a vital asset to a thriving city, and I am looking forward to engaging and collaborating to center and meet the needs of the creative family and ensure that all Portlanders have access to arts and culture.

Portland is facing job losses, particularly in the downtown core. How can arts/culture workforce investments be part of a wider strategy to improve the workforce outlook for the region?

Arts and culture workforce investment can ensure that people have access to consistent streams of revenue/resources and continuous opportunities to showcase their talents and add diversity to our culture. In addition, it is important that the city bring together artists, the business community and other stakeholders to be strategic about how we support this industry, providing opportunities and access to affordable housing (increase the number of artist collaborative living spaces). Having sustainable options for artist to thrive can attract talent from other places to Portland, increasing the variety of talent and adding to tourism.

Arts, culture, design and creative entrepreneurship are key elements of Portland’s national and regional brand. Portland has the fourth-highest concentration of artists in the nation, after New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. What policies or investments would you back to ensure that arts, culture and the creative economy are part of the city’s priorities in investments and new policies?

I would explore incentives, financing, grants and low-interest loans to support artists and small, independent venues that provide opportunities for artists to showcase their talents. Funding organizations that support the arts and provide wrap around services to artists, such as reduced rent, affordable housing, and access to support for utilities, etc. is also worth considering. In addition, for outside venues like the waterfront concerts, we should consider reducing some of the permitting and set up costs.

How do you see museums, cultural institutions, creative independent venues, nightlife and festivals as part of the downtown revitalization and general community stabilization?

These are all instrumental in revitalizing downtown as they attract both Portlanders and tourists and also enhance the customer base for all the other businesses and restaurants downtown. They increase foot traffic, which contributes to the safety and activation of downtown, and provide opportunities for families to explore and learn about our city (museums, Oregon Historical Society, etc.). These entertainment venues and events also encourage people to want to live downtown to be within walking distance to access these opportunities.

Portland is home to an incredibly diverse range of cultural organizations, artists co-ops, and small businesses that make our neighborhoods unique and distinct. What small business and cultural activation ideas do you have for Portland’s neighborhoods?

I think we need more community and cultural events, especially in underserved communities and in public spaces that need to be activated to increase safety and livability. The city could convene partners (Travel Portland, Business and Economic Development engines) to commit to supporting organizations to host events such as food festivals, local music, art shows/walks, etc. These events could serve as educational opportunities and expose youth to work training options and also be a vehicle to bring diverse communities together.

Have you reviewed the recent “Our Creative Future” multi-county cultural plan (linked above)? Would you endorse the plan as a candidate?

As Pettyjohn Blue, I have reviewed the “Our Creative Future” multi-county cultural plan and fully endorse it. The plan aligns with my vision of promoting inclusivity, creativity, and cultural diversity across communities. It emphasizes the importance of equitable access to arts and culture, which is essential for building a vibrant and connected society. By supporting this initiative, we can foster opportunities for youth, marginalized groups, and the broader community to engage in meaningful cultural experiences, strengthening our region’s creative future.

Portland is facing job losses, particularly in the downtown core. How can arts/culture workforce investments be part of a wider strategy to improve the workforce outlook for the region?

Investing in the arts and culture workforce can play a vital role in revitalizing Portland’s downtown and improving the region’s overall workforce outlook. Arts and cultural initiatives not only attract tourism and local engagement but also stimulate job creation in creative sectors like media, design, event planning, and entertainment. By supporting programs that train artists and cultural workers in digital skills, marketing, and business management, we can equip them for success in today’s economy. Additionally, fostering public-private partnerships to fund cultural projects can transform vacant spaces into hubs of creativity, driving foot traffic and boosting local businesses. This integrated approach can help diversify Portland’s economy, making it more resilient in the face of job losses.

Arts, culture, design and creative entrepreneurship are key elements of Portland’s national and regional brand. Portland has the fourth-highest concentration of artists in the nation, after New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. What policies or investments would you back to ensure that arts, culture and the creative economy are part of the city’s priorities in investments and new policies?

To ensure that arts, culture, and the creative economy remain key priorities in Portland, I would back several policies and investments:

1. Increased Funding for Arts & Culture: I support expanding public and private funding for arts organizations, cultural institutions, and individual artists, particularly those from underserved communities. This can include grants, tax incentives, and business loans for creative entrepreneurs.
2. Affordable Housing & Workspaces for Artists: Portland should create affordable live-work spaces for artists through public-private partnerships and zoning reforms. This would help retain the city’s creative talent by addressing housing affordability issues.
3. Arts Education & Workforce Development: I would advocate for increased investment in arts education and creative workforce development programs, particularly in schools, colleges, and community centers. This will prepare future generations for careers in the creative sector.
4. Cultural Tourism & Event Suppor*: The city should invest in promoting cultural tourism by supporting festivals, public art projects, and events that highlight Portland’s unique artistic identity. This can attract visitors and boost local businesses.
5. Creative Industry Incubators: Establish creative incubators and innovation hubs that provide resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities for creative entrepreneurs, ensuring they have the tools to succeed in a rapidly evolving market.

How do you see museums, cultural institutions, creative independent venues, nightlife and festivals as part of the downtown revitalization and general community stabilization?

Museums, cultural institutions, creative independent venues, nightlife, and festivals are crucial to both downtown revitalization and community stabilization in Portland. These spaces and events act as cultural anchors, attracting residents and visitors alike, which boosts foot traffic, supports local businesses, and fosters a sense of community identity.

1. Economic Driver: Cultural venues and festivals draw diverse crowds, generating revenue for surrounding businesses like restaurants, hotels, and shops. Revitalizing the downtown area with dynamic arts and cultural offerings can reinvigorate the local economy and create jobs.
2. Cultural and Social Engagement: Museums and cultural institutions provide safe, inclusive spaces where people of all backgrounds can engage with art, history, and culture, fostering social cohesion. These institutions help stabilize communities by offering education and programs that connect people to local culture and each other.
3. Creative Expression & Innovation: Independent venues and nightlife nurture creative talent, allowing local artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs to showcase their work. These hubs of creativity contribute to Portland’s unique identity and can attract new residents and businesses that value innovation and artistic expression.
4. Destination Appeal: Festivals and large-scale events can position Portland as a cultural destination, encouraging both locals and tourists to spend time and money

Portland is home to an incredibly diverse range of cultural organizations, artists co-ops, and small businesses that make our neighborhoods unique and distinct. What small business and cultural activation ideas do you have for Portland’s neighborhoods?

To support Portland’s diverse cultural organizations, artists’ co-ops, and small businesses, I would propose several initiatives aimed at cultural activation and small business growth in neighborhoods:

1. Pop-up Markets & Festivals: Encourage temporary pop-up markets, art fairs, and cultural festivals in different neighborhoods, showcasing local artists, small businesses, and cultural organizations. These events can rotate across the city, activating underutilized spaces and boosting local economies.
2. Creative Small Business Grants: Offer micro-grants and low-interest loans to small creative businesses, co-ops, and independent artists. This would provide financial support for projects that enhance neighborhood identity, such as murals, local performance spaces, or neighborhood-based art installations.
3. Neighborhood Art Walks: Establish regular neighborhood art walks where galleries, studios, and small businesses can open their doors to the public. This can draw foot traffic and connect residents with local artists, fostering a sense of community while supporting the creative economy.
4. Co-working Spaces & Cultural Hubs: Create neighborhood-based co-working spaces or cultural hubs that offer affordable studio and office spaces for artists, makers, and small businesses. These spaces could also host workshops, classes, and events that encourage community engagement and collaboration.
5. Local Business Partnerships: Promote partnerships between local businesses and cultural organizations

Have you reviewed the recent “Our Creative Future” multi-county cultural plan (linked above)? Would you endorse the plan as a candidate?

I have reviewed the plan. There are many elements of the plan that I’d support as a City Councilor, and I think the City has an important role to play on things like creating affordable spaces, planning for the future of the Portland’5 properties, and ensuring that when we talk about our arts community we are elevating programs that reflect our whole community – not just one group’s view of art.

Portland is facing job losses, particularly in the downtown core. How can arts/culture workforce investments be part of a wider strategy to improve the workforce outlook for the region?

Arts and our creative economy, broadly, are part of what has drawn people to Portland and what gives our City it’s unique brand. As we think about Portland’s future arts must be a part of that future. We need to support arts in all our communities and there is much more we can do to support local music venues, arts walks, and other events across Portland.

As it relates to the downtown core, specifically, though, we should:

1. Consider how unused commercial buildings could be part of the solution for artists who struggle to find affordable studio space (we should also include permanently affordable commercial space in every City master plan project so that artists, entrepreneurs, and new restaurateurs have space where they can afford to take on a new, risky, endeavor across the City)
2. Use the opportunity presented by the need to upgrade or replace the Keller to create a theater district and ensure local performance companies have the rehearsal and performance space they need.
3. Use downtown performance and arts events to drive customers to restaurants and bars that have struggled with fewer customers from the workday-lunch hour and happy hour crowd.

Arts, culture, design and creative entrepreneurship are key elements of Portland’s national and regional brand. Portland has the fourth-highest concentration of artists in the nation, after New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. What policies or investments would you back to ensure that arts, culture and the creative economy are part of the city’s priorities in investments and new policies?

1. Every master plan should include permanently affordable commercial space where entrepreneurs, artists, and new restaurateurs can afford to take a risk on something new a creative.
2. We have to support our local venues. As our neighborhoods get denser we will have more conflict between commercial and residential uses, and we need a clear policy on noise ordinances that all Portlanders can understand and that supports healthy rest and a robust local music scene.
3. Any subsidies for venues and other infrastructure projects should include clauses that support a well trained, well paid, workforce operating those facilities, and should also create opportunities for local artists who are looking for performance space.
4. Public art creates opportunities to introduce new artists to the community and new consumers to the arts. But we won’t bring in new consumers unless we are in more neighborhoods. Portland should continue to partner with local artists and funders to create permanent public art installments, publicly accessible performances, and city-wide temporary installations, across Portland – music festivals, performances in the parks (in more parks that are underutilized in the summer, but also parks with space for outdoor performance opportunities year round), winter lights festival, etc.

How do you see museums, cultural institutions, creative independent venues, nightlife and festivals as part of the downtown revitalization and general community stabilization?

A stable downtown core cannot just rely on people visiting venues, and a mainly evening and weekend crowd, but the crowds these institutions draw are an important part of the base that supports our downtown businesses.

We will not successfully use cultural institutions to support downtown until we have more restaurants, bars, and other businesses open on evenings and weekends when people are at these institutions. For a long time Portland catered to a weekday business hour crowd and there just aren’t enough spaces that cater to museum, cultural institution, and venue patrons. We need a community conversation with other downtown businesses about how our cultural institutions and their businesses can better support each other, and what size crowds are needed to support expanded hours and opportunities.

Once we understand the need the City can find partners to create festivals that connect our parks and streets with permanent venues and institutions to offer opportunities that draw in additional crowds for one-off events, and attract people who might not otherwise frequent these institutions, while also highlighting the connection between local artists who are creating interactive opportunities in our parks and streets, and the exhibits within the walls of formal venues.

Portland is home to an incredibly diverse range of cultural organizations, artists co-ops, and small businesses that make our neighborhoods unique and distinct. What small business and cultural activation ideas do you have for Portland’s neighborhoods?

It’s important for every neighborhood to lean into its own identity in activating their spaces. Part of what makes Portland special is that Mississippi Street Fair and Last Thursday on Alberta don’t feel the same. The City should make it easy for our businesses districts to decide what represents their community’s culture and host periodic events that reflect this. Permitting and infrastructure support for events should be easy to navigate, the process of working with residential neighbors should be clear, and we should make sure that we don’t inadvertently move all of our neighborhood festivals toward a one-size-fits-all formula.

Have you reviewed the recent “Our Creative Future” multi-county cultural plan (linked above)? Would you endorse the plan as a candidate?

I have read the Our Creative Future plan – in fact – I was the project coordinator on the AEP6 for Portland and Multnomah County with RACC & Americans for the Arts that is referenced heavily in the Cultural Plan. This doesn’t give concrete actionable items of things we need to do to implement the findings of the AEP6 report. I would only endorse the plan as a reference point for us to create an actual action plan informing policy from the findings with steps, dates, and measurable outcomes to create the vision of empowering our creatives, having affordable spaces for them to live and work AND make sure performances, public art, and creative endeavors are accessible to all. What I would like to see the city do is map where our arts, music, and cultural partners are located throughout Portland along with individual creators. Once we have that in place we can see where things are and where we have cultural deserts. Portland has a history of individualism and that translates into us not fully knowing where to start with our vision and investment plan. Once a plan is in place we can move towards action.

Portland is facing job losses, particularly in the downtown core. How can arts/culture workforce investments be part of a wider strategy to improve the workforce outlook for the region?

We need to work with downtown landlords and developers to help them understand that when we provide space for artists and creators, we reinvigorate places, neighborhoods, and energy that brings people together. We keep bemoaning that downtown is a ghost town. However, by looking at the AEP6 study, it proves that when there are arts and cultural events happening, it activates restaurants, bars, retail, transportation, and lodging. Our plan should be activating spaces with arts and cultural events to support our broader economy. That could be donating space, providing access to buildings, working with developers to support artists and creators to think outside the box. We need big vision and bold leadership to reimagine downtown. The office buildings pre-Covid need to be reimagined. A lot of this means taking a look at what we want Portland to be in the future and then make decisions now for how we reach that goal. Shadow Machine IS downtown and they are having a disastrous time getting permits to expand. Why are we not making it easier for them to expand while also working to attract more businesses like them downtown?

Arts, culture, design and creative entrepreneurship are key elements of Portland’s national and regional brand. Portland has the fourth-highest concentration of artists in the nation, after New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. What policies or investments would you back to ensure that arts, culture and the creative economy are part of the city’s priorities in investments and new policies?

The Oregon Cultural Trust has a great incentive for donations to fund culture by providing a tax credit for donating to the cultural trust. The city should have a similar incentive to support arts activation. We have the Willamette Week Give! Guide that supports many nonprofits in year end fundraising – but we need a mechanism for more philanthropy in the arts and culture sector on a regular basis. Can we use part of our lodging taxes to be invested specifically into a creative trust? Let’s look at all our funding mechanisms to take even a small % from all the taxes we currently collect and funnel that into a creator fund. Portland had an organization called Business and Culture for the Arts that connected private businesses to arts organizations. Bringing something like that back would be a good avenue for arts investment.

How do you see museums, cultural institutions, creative independent venues, nightlife and festivals as part of the downtown revitalization and general community stabilization?

The city needs to add to its infrastructure the ability to support these kinds of activations. It’s 100% an “If you build it, they will come” idea. When you get people out and about, you activate neighborhoods, you activate downtown. This also, in turn, gives less room for nefarious shenanigans to be happening because there are more eyes in public spaces. I joke that Portland has a collective bedtime of 9 p.m since we have such few events happening later in the day. Music Portland has a committee that has been working for years, advocating for the city to create a standardized noise variance policy. The current policy is very subjective and has led to many BIPOC music and cultural establishments to be closed down for noise violations. We must standardize noise variance policies and we need simple, streamlined, and affordable event permitting. As a city, we need to do everything possible to support community arts and cultural activities.

Portland is home to an incredibly diverse range of cultural organizations, artists co-ops, and small businesses that make our neighborhoods unique and distinct. What small business and cultural activation ideas do you have for Portland’s neighborhoods?

I do see our neighborhoods and business districts partaking in arts and culture activations. In St Johns, I am on the Boosters Business Association Events committee. We have a Fall and Spring Fling to activate our downtown business district, we have a Trick or Treat event on the Saturday before Halloween to connect with families, and we do a Tree Lighting before Thanksgiving. I run the St Johns Art Walk activating the neighborhood with artists that brings in 4,000+ people a year. The St Johns Bizarre is another annual arts and music festival that kicks off the summer season with a multi-block party. Portland has Good in the Hood, Albina Last Thursday Street fair, and so on. We have people who are doing incredible things in District 2. What we need is policy and funding that support our arts and cultural partners, centralized communication to share with other parts of the city what is happening. We need to streamlined permitting, and for our city leadership to recognize Portland as the creative hub I know it to be while at the same time being intentional in supporting our creators.

Have you reviewed the recent “Our Creative Future” multi-county cultural plan (linked above)? Would you endorse the plan as a candidate?

Yes. I appreciate in particular the focus on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, included in this statement: “Provide specific and accessible support—funding and other resources—for the arts and culture of people who are BIPOC, immigrants, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, the unhoused, neurodiverse, seniors, opportunity youth, and their community-based organizations.”

Portland is facing job losses, particularly in the downtown core. How can arts/culture workforce investments be part of a wider strategy to improve the workforce outlook for the region?

My background is as an advocate for creators’ livelihoods. I was president of the National Writers Union for 13 years, and one of its original founders. Thus, when we speak of “investments” I want to see plans that increase the pay and conditions for cultural workers of all kinds. “Workforce development” is hollow if all it means is enriching companies at the expense of those people who actually create culture.

Arts, culture, design and creative entrepreneurship are key elements of Portland’s national and regional brand. Portland has the fourth-highest concentration of artists in the nation, after New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. What policies or investments would you back to ensure that arts, culture and the creative economy are part of the city’s priorities in investments and new policies?

To follow on the above answer, the “creative economy” is the total community of musicians, artists, writers, performers and all other cultural *workers*. We need to:

1. Create a citywide vision that says that the romanticized idea of the “starving artist” is unacceptable in Portland;
2. Create programs that put money in the hands of working creators;
3. Oppose actions by entities that are making it more difficult for creators to make a living (for example, Live Nation);
4. Investment, in particular, in affordable work spaces and housing for creators.

How do you see museums, cultural institutions, creative independent venues, nightlife and festivals as part of the downtown revitalization and general community stabilization?

Granting Live Nation a venue license, in my opinion, flies directly in the face of the idea of creating “independent venues”. I will judge the whole range of museums, cultural institutions, creative independent venues, nightlife and festivals on how those entities treat their creators. “General community stabilization” arises when people have enough money to pay the rent and have a decent standard of living. Thus, the only way to revitalize any part of the city is to have foremost in our planning how we raise the standard of living for all those people working for venues.

Portland is home to an incredibly diverse range of cultural organizations, artists co-ops, and small businesses that make our neighborhoods unique and distinct. What small business and cultural activation ideas do you have for Portland’s neighborhoods?

Let’s start by establishing a livable minimum wage. Every neighborhood would see a flowering of culture and a vibrant community when artists can earn more than a poverty-level wage—which is what the current $15.95-an-hour Metro minimum wage is. We need to raise the minimum wage, through state action, to a livable wage. Second, I want to see the enactment of the principle of the Renters Bill of Rights because that would be a boon to every community member in all our neighborhoods.