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The true value of arts and culture to a city's well being and economic success is often underestimated. It is no accident that Portland is an attractive place for immigrants and many businesses who share its values as a place and community. Imagine e.g. McMenamin's brew pubs (a great Portland innovation) without their artistic and cultural focus. So investing in the arts as government or business is good for many great and fundamental reasons. The cultural life of Portland is a major part of why life here is good. In the event that public funding and support has to choose priorities, often the best approach is to support the innovative and development aspects to all the different artforms, in accordance with well crafted policies seeking identified outcomes, in anticipation of investing in the growth and future development and continuing success of each of those arts and their practitioners.

posted 5 years, 4 months ago
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