i am a fashion designer who has had her business here in portland for 9 years (i also grew up in portland, and went to university here) currently, i work out of an art collective in se portland called the egg. The Egg provides permanent studio space for various artists, including: 3 fashion designers, 1 jewelry designer, 2 painters, 2 massage therapists, a light and sound event production company, and permanent rehearsal space for: a marching band, a troupe of acrobalancers, circus performers and the Egg houses an art gallery for fledgeling artists. we have just celebrated our 4th birthday, and have gone through many tests and trials to make it where we are today. all of us make our livings off of our respective art. this experience for me has brought up many an issue (some resolved and unresolved) that affect the greater community, as well as its individuals. portland has been a town of "make your own," and we have faced the trials and tribulations of doing art for a living.

in this capacity, i give you a few recurring themes:

1. connection of communities. this is a well worn subject. in the end, there are several separate communities of artists that have no idea about the others, and a better linkage would give more opportunities to share resources, information and promotion.
2. more resources for funding. we keep talking about a micro-loan program within my own circles that would help get through lean months while getting projects off the ground, or just to progress to the next level; from idea/prototype to production. what stands in the way often is just a few hundred dollars; which would be better given in a loan program than living off of credit cards, or worrying about food and bills.
3. resources for general information. not just for craft, but how to deal with the business end of things. an sba (small business administration) for artists. all the information is out there, but not in one place, nor in a form conducive to our frame of mind.
4. awareness. it is easy to just say that, but people are starting to learn about sustainability of supporting local farmers at farmers' markets. it is important to educate the public about buying locally for everything as much as possible. portland my be a microcosm of progress when compared to many places, but we still have a long way to go.