Support the Creative Music Guild!

https://creativemusicguild.org/

Hi, I'm Mike Gamble, current Artistic Director of the Creative Music Guild (CMG).

For more than three decades, CMG has been Portland's premier nonprofit presenter of improvisational, ambient, experimental, and creative music. Through concerts, workshops, artist residencies, community events, and educational programming, we support a diverse network of local, national, and international artists while creating opportunities for collaboration, artistic growth, and cultural exchange.

Today, we're launching a $25,000 fundraising campaign to support our upcoming festival and help sustain CMG's year-round programming in 2027.

Goal 1: Fund the 2026 Improvisation Summit

$5,000

The first $5,000 will help support the Creative Music Guild Improvisation Summit, returning to Portland October 13-30, 2026.

The Summit brings together more than three weeks of concerts, workshops, screenings, collaborative performances, listening experiences, and community events across venues throughout Portland. The festival showcases over thirty local artists and ensembles alongside internationally recognized guest performers working at the forefront of contemporary improvised music.

Featured visiting artists include:

Caroline Davis (New York) – acclaimed saxophonist, composer, and educator

Judith Berkson (New York) – vocalist, pianist, composer, and improviser

Lorin Benedict – (Bay area)- vocalist

Ches Smith (New York) – celebrated drummer, composer, and bandleader

GEORGE, the boundary-defying ensemble led by composer and drummer John Hollenbeck and featuring Anna Webber (tenor saxophone/flute), Sarah Rossy (voice/keyboards), and Chiquita Magic (keyboards/voice)

These artists will present performances, workshops, screenings, and collaborative projects with Portland musicians, creating unique opportunities for artistic exchange and new creative partnerships.

The festival will take place across numerous Portland venues, including Half Court Studio, Swan Dive, Blue Butler Studios, Reed College, Leaven Community, Turn! Turn! Turn!, No Fun, Speck's Records, Desert Island Studios, Second Story Studios, Hallowed Halls, The 1905, and Portland Arts Collective.

The Improvisation Summit is CMG's annual celebration of adventurous music-making, collaboration, and creative exploration, connecting local artists with national voices while providing audiences access to innovative and experimental work.

Goal 2: Operating Expenses ($10,000)

These funds will directly support artist fees, production costs, promotional efforts, equipment needs, and year-round community programming.

Outset Series

Artist fees budgeted at $150 per show, supporting approximately 24 performances throughout the year.

$3,600

AMBIV Series

Artist fees budgeted at $150 per show, supporting approximately 8 performances focused on ambient and immersive sound.

$1,200

Artistic Director (AD) Series

Artist fees budgeted at $150 per show, supporting approximately 16 artist-curated performances and special projects.

$2,400

Confluence Series

Supports interdisciplinary collaborations, artist fees, venue expenses, and production costs.

$2,000

Blue Butler Programming

Workshops, artist talks, listening sessions, rehearsals, and community-building initiatives at CMG's new partner space.

$400

Website, Promotion & Equipment

Website maintenance, audience outreach, promotional materials, and modest upgrades to audio and production equipment used across all CMG programs.

$400

Total: $10,000

Goal 3: Build a Sustainability Fund for CMG's Future

$10,000

The final $10,000 will establish a sustainability fund that helps Creative Music Guild invest in long-term growth, financial stability, and expanded opportunities for artists. This fund will strengthen CMG's ability to respond to rising costs, support more ambitious programming, and ensure that artists are compensated fairly for their work.

Additional Visiting Artists

Support travel, lodging, artist fees, and production expenses for nationally and internationally recognized guest artists.

$3,000

Festival Reserve & Future Programming Buffer

Create a reserve fund to reduce financial risk and provide stability for future editions of the Improvisation Summit and other large-scale CMG initiatives.

$3,000

Programming Expansion & Musician Pay Guarantees

Increase the number of performances, workshops, and community events while ensuring consistent and equitable compensation for participating artists.

$2,500

Artistic Director Stipend

Support year-round artistic planning, artist curation, festival development, partnership building, fundraising, and program administration. This investment helps provide organizational continuity and sustainability while expanding CMG's impact.

$1,500

Total: $10,000

This sustainability fund will help CMG move beyond simply maintaining operations and toward building a stronger, more resilient organization that can support artists, audiences, and creative music in Portland for years to come