Subashini Ganesan is an artist, arts administrator, and the Creative Laureate of Portland. Ganesan choreographs and performs potent and universally relevant expressions drawn from her foundation in Bharatanatyam. Her original works have been presented by PICA, Conduit, Performance Works NW, Ten Tiny Dances, Portland Center Stage, Third Angle New Music, and Risk/Reward. In 2010, Ganesan founded New Expressive Works (N.E.W.), a vibrant performing arts venue in Portland that celebrates multicultural independent performing artists who teach, are in residency, and create bold new works. She serves on the Board of Directors for the James F. & Marion L. Miller Foundation and the Portland Parks Foundation. 

Why this board?

Parks fulfill a promise that public and nature-filled spaces are important for urban dwellers. Portland is blessed with everything from Forest Park, where we can almost forget that we live in a city, to Peninsula Park, which is a solid urban park that provides gathering spaces for families, swimming lessons for youth, and everything in between. I have joined this Board to increase park resources and access to parts of our city that have historically been under-served. Public spaces have always had and will continue to have a deeply significant role in how our pluralistic community builds relationships across cultures and socio-economic status. PPF has been steadily building pathways and leading the way in this role. 

If you could be a Portland park, which one would you be and why?

Ahh so hard. Mount Tabor, I think. First Off, I can walk to it and the sunset views are magnificent. Secondly, how can I pass up being one of four extinct volcanoes within a City boundary? And, of course, let's not forget that every summer (not including 2020...) it becomes the hub for the Portland Adult Soapbox Derby! 

What do you hope to accomplish while serving?

I am interested in how PPF continues building relationships that lead to trusting collaboration across multicultural communities in our City. We have built a great rapport with many organizations through our Small Grants Program. How can we now take the next step to build authentic, long-lasting relationships that honor our parks communities which are represented by humans from a diversity of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, class, disability status, and age? I am also really committed to continuing the work of conceptualizing and taking action on where park spaces are located, what amenities they provide, how arts & culture can thrive in these spaces, and how "safe" they feel for a diverse (as opposed to a homogenous) community.