We are happy to announce that this year the Portland Zine Symposium will be taking place at the JADE/APANO Multicultural Space (JAMS) in SE Portland July 22, & 23 2017.
JAMS is a much more intimate venue than our venues in previous years. The rising cost of commercial spaces and general cost of living in Portland has limited the options of spaces for hosting PZS this year. Coupled with the reality there are now zine festivals in almost every major city in the U.S., we are reconsidering what we want the future of Portland Zine Symposium to be. PZS organizers have decided to create a more local and personable zine fest that works with and invests in the Portland community. Our plans include creating a zine workshop program directed toward youth, building relationships with local organizations, and ensuring that PZS is inclusive and respectful to communities of color, the LGBTQIA community, and to the differently-abled community.
What does this mean for tablers at PZS 2017?
-There will be a limited amount of tabling this year (approximately 30% less than last year). Only ½ size tables will be available. A very small amount of full-size tables are available by invite only.
-For the first time, PZS will not offer tables on a first-come/first-serve basis. We will have tablers go through an application process where tablers apply for a tabling space, have their applications reviewed by PZS organizers, and if approved, are notified of their acceptance. PZS decided after much deliberation to change our table registration process to better uphold our Safer Spaces Policy, as well as to ensure a more equitable tabling process.
-As we are lightly curating our tabling, we will also be selecting more tablers who are based in Portland/the Pacific NW than in previous years. We will still be offering tables to out-of-town zinesters, just not at the rate that we have in previous years.
We are very excited for the changes 2017 will bring to PZS. We desire to foster an ever- growing zine community that is inclusive, equitable, and self-sustaining for years to come! We hope you want to participate with us! The 2017 Portland Zine Symposium applications open on Monday, March 13th!
www.portlandzinesymposium.org
