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John Branam: Strong Values, Bold Leadership

[photo: American flag on wall]

Arts and Culture

Near the turn of the last century, social science professor Richard Florida coined the term “creative class” to describe an important and growing sub-set of workers. Under his theory, certain cities become hubs for creative types; moreover, the theory says that cities that which encourage and foster these jobs will be successful in the 21st century.

In Portland, where traditional businesses like logging and manufacturing have been flagging for the past few decades, finding new sources of jobs and revenue is essential to our economic future.

We have been fortunate that over the past several years, the so-called “creative class” has matured into a strong sector of the local economy, one that includes thousands of workers from architects and ad executives to musicians and writers. Portland is home to dozens of nationally-recognized bands; its film industry is percolating; and, what was a nearly non-existent industry only five years ago, now is crowded with dozens of successful fashion designers, complete with regular and well-attended fashion shows. Emerging artists can help define and market a city. Such “branding” helps recruit new talents and excitement to Portland.

But much of this success and growth has happened in the private sector and with little direct support from City Hall. As a city council member, I will help provide more direct support and infrastructure to foster this sector of the economy.

Vital to long-term and sustainable development of the creative class is providing appropriate infrastructure. Perhaps the City’s strongest gesture in this regard has been MilePost Five, a soon-to-open residential space for artists. Under a public-private partnership, an abandoned retirement home is being renovated into an 80-plus unit live-work space reserved at, below-market prices, for artists. I am excited about the possibilities for Mile Post Five and hope to replicate its success in other locations around the city. More broadly, I am pushing an agenda for more affordable housing.

I also am enthused about city programs that have supported further development in the arts and culture sector. Four years ago, City Council stepped up to back a loan for Portland Center Stage. That support has allowed Portland Center Stage to undertake an exciting renovation of the Armory Building and to launch on an ambitious growth plan—one which has already scored successes. Last year, a staging of Cabaret was the buzz of the town. As a city council member, I will continue to support these public-private partnerships which support growth of the local arts and culture economy.

Yet, in spite of these successes, City Council can do more. Portland should take the lead from City Council in Austin, Texas, who host weekly, free concerts on the plaza adjacent to city hall, use local musicians for the hold-music on city phone lines and, more grandly, help sponsor public performance venues. The return is millions of dollars to the local economy.

Music in the Community

Portland can help support its local music economy with similar measures. One simple measure would be to address the lack of appropriate practice space for bands. This is also a problem because a punk band practicing in their basement can frustrate neighbors. With 1000 musicians employed in Portland, this is not a small issue. City council can solve this dilemma by subsidizing clean practice space. We could even form partnerships with local schools to provide practice space, which would also help create stronger connections between our creative class and students.

[photo: cables and feet on a stage]

As a city council member, I plan to create strong public and private partnerships. Last year, for example, a high school senior organized a benefit concert to raise funds for the flagging public school music programs. He asked local, but nationally recognized, bands like The Thermals to play. Without second thought, these bands donated their time and talents to play the benefit concert and raised thousands of dollars. It is wonderful that our city has teenagers willing to provide leadership to make these connections, but we also need such leadership in City Hall. I plan to provide that.

Another winning idea is to open up the city’s parks for summer concert series. Early in my campaign, at a house party near Mt Tabor, neighbors were excited about the vision to host summer concerts in the nearby amphitheater. I plan to foster public and private partnerships. These will bolster our local economy, and will also provide the structure and opportunities necessary for a sustainable creative class to grow here in Portland.

Finally, Portland needs to remain competitive with other cities that also are maturing their creative class. In spite of our proximity to Los Angeles and in spite of our diverse landscape, our city has yet to fully utilize its opportunities as a hub for the movie industry. In fact, Portland has grown less competitive over the past decade. In 1998, Portland housed a robust industry for film production. Statewide, 1000 residents were able to support themselves full-time working as grips, camera operators and producers. Most of the industry was centered in Portland. But today that number has dipped to 300, largely because film crews have flown over Oregon and gone straight to Canada, which provides state-sponsored rebate program. A major motion picture can infuses with tens of millions. The talent is here, but to regain a competitive edge, city council needs to provide further attractions. A limited rebate program was implemented four years ago, but we can do more. Seattle, for example, offers police assistance and streamlines the permitting process. Portland needs to seize these opportunities.

The creative class is a fun and lucrative sector of the local economy. As a city council member, I will help this sector of the economy mature and grow into a sustainable industry, and one that helps brand the city.

Read more of John's thoughts on these and other issues.

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