Oregon's for-profit music sector is a large economic sector supporting many professionals, trades and businesses and offering post-pandemic recovery potential for the state and its cities. Most of the sector is concentrated in Portland, where independent musicians and venues face threats from development, regulatory pressures and rising costs. Testimony from musicians and music-related businesses and an updated statewide study with Portland-specific data documented the sector's economic importance and vulnerabilities. District 1 Councilor Jamie Dunphy, a musician and MusicPortland policy chair, plans roundtables and legislation to protect and enhance the local scene. Proposed initiatives include a Venue Protection Plan and measures to support working musicians and independent venues.
Oregon's for-profit music scene is far more than popular entertainment. It is a large and vital sector of the economy that supports a wide range of people in professions, trades and businesses, and can help the state and its cities recover from the post-pandemic downturn. But the sector needs government help to thrive, especially in Portland, where most of it is concentrated. There, independent musicians and venues, the foundation of the scene, are threatened by development, regulations and cost increases.
That was the message delivered to the receptive members of the Arts and Economy Committee of the Portland City Council on Aug. 12. The lengthy presentation included testimony from musicians and music-related businesspeople, data from the first statewide study on the for-profit music sector updated with Portland-specific information, and recommendations on how City Hall can protect and enhance the local scene.
Collection
[
|
...
]