Draft of CPC Brochure - Looking for Sponsors for Wide Circulation

Andy Graham, president, Creative Portland Corporation

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 794)

“Lack of money is a problem in fulfilling our mission,” said Andrew Graham, chairman of Creative Portland Corporation, at its monthly meeting yesterday afternoon at city hall.  The charge of the three year old “CPC” is to support the development of a creative economy in downtown Portland.

To do this, the CPC expects to receive $30,000. again this fiscal year from the city for its expenses.  Under its charter, the CPC is also expected to raise an equal amouont from the private sector.  Last year it raised $14,000 in cash and enough in-kind  to meet its financial responsibility.  To date, CPC has established three successful programs, but is lacking in corporate sponsors and other funding sources to carry forwad  a much more ambitious agenda to supoprt  the creative economy in Portland.

One example is a handsome brochure drafted  by Graham’s company, Portland  Color.  It’s a map and guide of  Creative Portland.   But to print 100,000 copies for a wide distribution, the CPC needs about $4,000.    They don’t have it.  And they are looking for 5 sponsors to split the cost and make it happen. Other ideas for which the CP is looking for sponsors include:  developing a “sister neighborhood” program;  finding relocation assistance for artists moving to Portland;  and upgrading the LiveWork Portland website that is already on line.

In an item that was brought up by board member Thomas Blackburn, although not a specific agenda item,  he said that interests in Bayside have long been eyeing the General Store as a building that might be adaptable for use as part of the creative economy at a later date.  The General Store is part of the Department of Public Services 4 acre property in Bayside.  Small talk has begun about the possible relocation of the DPS to another city location.  In his comment, Blackburn, who is also a member of the Bayside Community Development Corporation asked the CPC to partner with Bayside should the opportunity arise to develop the building for use in the creative economy for Bayside.  Because this was not an item specifically on the agenda, additional discussion and proposed motions were tabled until next month’s meeting.

Jennifer Hutchins, executive director, can be reached at:  207 776-5378