Sam Adams will use arts as a major theme in the Portland mayor's race

Let's talk facilities. There are a number of small to mid-sized arts venues in the city that are really struggling. How does the city government bring resources to the table for cultural facilities?

I got an opportunity to spend a good couple of hours with the cultural commissioner of New York City, and we talked a lot about facilities. They spend a lot more money on facilities, and they partner so that they leverage their dollars with these public-private or public-public partnerships. A lot of their support for the non-flagship organizations is in helping around facilities. And we don't do any of that (laughs). Part of what we've talked about is to have a creative hub or two in every part of the city, and to create an alliance of these creative hubs, that has the blessing of the city and a program to assist in issues of maintenance and facilities.

Best cultural success story in Portland?

P:ear, big success story.

Why?

Adams: The charisma of the founders and leaders, and filling a niche in terms of services to homeless and transitional youth, in a creative way that really speaks to them. And I think Oregon Ballet Theatre has really come on strong; They've risen up nationally in terms of their prestige. Artists Rep, really strong. Portland Art Museum in terms of the amount of money they did raise for their facilities – never before has Portland seen anything like that.

Who are the magnetic, forceful arts leaders leading the way here?

You know, it's interesting. This is the "indie arts center," and it's reflected in the fact that we have this sort of magnanimous leadership approach. Eloise Damrosch is definitely a leader, but she's definitely facilitative. Liz Leach among the galleries. Definitely the three Chrises [Chris Mattaliano, Christopher Stowell, Chris Coleman] are leaders. Gavin Shetler at Portland Arts Center - scrappy, sophisticated. Since we've got this good indie cultural vibe going, let's embrace it.

Top thoughts coming out of your Artists' Town Hall last June and the roundtables last week?

One of the "aha's" - and I mean this in the most respectful way - is that there's too much "me" and not enough "we." It's a lot about what "I need" as opposed to what "we need." There's a lot of that. That's really symptomatic of a lack of community, of true community. And the pushback that we get is that "it's not all about money, I'm too busy surviving on my own stuff to give back to the community." We've got to break out of that. The creative path that we are on now is not sustainable.