Unlocking our Creative Capacity

By Jesse Beason

Creativity helps make Portland a better place to live, a stronger competitor in the global marketplace and an incubator of innovation.

Strengthening our capacity to create and innovate has tremendous potential to contribute more to our community economically, socially and educationally. In the past few years, some have even argued this capacity is fundamental to our success in a globalized marketplace.

But there are alarming trends in the crucial elements that fuel creativity in our community:

arts education has disappeared for many of our children;
local arts & culture organizations, while receiving national attention, receive 32% less in corporate, foundation, government and individual support than similar sized cities;
our investments in growing the markets for are paltry.

In response to these alarming trends, Sam is helping lead a group of stakeholders throughout the region who are looking at sustainable strategies to fund the arts and culture programs that contribute to our children's education, our economy and our vitality.

The purpose of the Creative Capacity Strategy is to build and support a sustainable creative community through prioritized strategies with clear costs and achievable ways to fund them.

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