Below I've listed the announcement for Mayor Potter's community symposium on the future and importance of the arts community in Portland. This event frames an important dialogue, however, there is one glaringly obvious criticism. From 5-7 pm on the first real spring first thursday, none of the essential participants in the visual arts community will miss prime gallery hours for a bureaucratic brainstorming session. This sounds like an invitation to an important dialogue, but not much consideration was given to the visual arts community in planning the event. Note there is a comment section and survey on the web-site.

VisionPDX, Mayor Potter's new community vision project, will host an open house at City Hall, 1221 SW 4th, on April 6th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The goal of VisionPDX is to create a vision for Portland for the next 30 years and beyond, and provides an opportunity for people from all over Portland to share their hopes and ideas for the future. Please come and lend YOUR vision for a strong arts community in the City of Portland. This special event will feature performances by BroadArts Theater and WellArts Theatre, and refreshments will be provided. Arts advocates can also sign up to host a visioning meeting with their friends and neighbors.

The more VisionPDX hears about the arts, the more likelihood that the arts will be included in our city's vision!

More information on VisionPDX can be found at: www.portlandonline.com/mayor/vision or call 503.823.5415, or email plvision@ci.portland.or.us.

Definitely a massive blunder on the timing... everyone should fill out the survey though.