With the latest round of COVID-19 closures, local bars and venues - already impacted by months of inability to do business - are struggling to stay afloat and have requested financial assistance from our state and local government. 

There is a pending proclamation that will accept $128 mil as part of the Cares Act. Portland City council is taking under consideration a proposed set aside for the support of locally owned  venues of $4.35 mil. We propose that $500k of the funds to support commercial venues be set aside to start a public/ private fund to open a BIPOC owned venue/ arts center 

This proclamation before you, coming from a coalition of club owners, spotlights a longstanding issue in Portland; all of Portland's club owners are white. Of the 4.35 mil 3.6 mil will go to commercial venues and Portland 5. No one in that cohort is BIPOC.

In a scene largely driven by art created by BIPOC, there is virtually no representation in ownership by people of color. As a result, this proposed payout serves as a bailout for an industry that had historically locked out BIPOC; and at a time when we have committed to centering around their needs. 

Friends Of Noise agrees that our local music venues need support. Venue ownership also needs equity. FoN proposes the government set aside $500,000 for the development of a BIPOC Venue fund. Friends of Noise and others have been working diligently for years to create an all ages venue that would be welcoming and accessible to a multicultural community. This is an opportunity to secure some significant resources towards that goal. With you support we can reach it.