Finally, the spirit of the Maine arts scene is, and hopefully always will be, born of ARTISTS TAKING MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS. Official organizations like MENSK offer grassroots support for cultural development, resulting in events like Rooftop Films and First Friday Truck shows. More underground ventures like the Sacred and Profane festival throw Portland in the national spotlight while remaining communal in nature.
However, the recent frustrations of The Dooryard arts collective reveal the FRICTION BETWEEN UNBRIDLED CREATIVE PRACTICES AND THE DESIRES OF THE COMMUNITY those practices are helping to revitalize. Noise ordinances, rising rents, street-performance crackdowns, and other measures intended for the betterment of the community can act as a tourniquet to creativity, cutting off the lifeblood of the city. We must balance art with the rest of our community's needs, and be sure not to exclude artists from our efforts to stimulate economic and cultural growth.
Ian Paige can be reached at ianpaige@gmail.com.
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