Lindsay Freedman
Lindsay believes that everyone should have the opportunity, access, and support to express themselves through the arts or through enjoyment of the arts. Music, dance, poetry and theatre were fundamental to Lindsay’s growth through her life and especially during her teenage years growing up in New York City. “Being involved with the arts gave me purpose, and a meaningful platform to process hardship and trauma. Speaking my truth through spoken word poetry and singing with my guitar got me through some of the darkest days. Expressing pain and joy through music taught me that sharing emotion is both crucial to empowerment of the self and to connecting humans with each other. When people are hurting and closing off, sometimes art can get in where nothing else can. Artistic expression is like a high-powered light beam shining right into someones soul and saying ‘you matter, you are important, your struggles and hardships are relevant and you are not alone.’” Lindsay wants everyone to have similar opportunities to heal and thrive. Being able to express herself and process, those events were crucial to her resiliency. Lindsay believes that the arts are an essential part of humanity.
Growing up as a child performer, Lindsay had early immersion in the arts from music and dance, to visual arts and theatre, which has led to her passion for making music and art accessible to everyone. During her undergraduate studies, she was able to refine this passion with additional skills in business, psychology, creative writing and music production in order to help the broader community. During those years, she produced poetry readings, concerts, festivals, hosted a radio show at Portland State University’s KPSU while holding the position of World Music Director. Lindsay has spent the past 19 years living around Oregon in Ashland, Portland, Salem and the past 6 years in Clackamas and is excited to have an opportunity to be a part of cultivating and promoting the arts in Clackamas County.
Most of Lindsay’s recent work with the arts has been behind the scenes, as opposed to on stage, but that is where she has found her true calling, connecting people to art that speaks to them. She has found deep enjoyment being a Volunteer Coordinator for various music and arts festivals, and sees this position as a gateway to access for many who would not otherwise be able to attend these festivals. After the completion of her graduate studies in law and mediation, Lindsay worked closely with children and families in the foster care system and developed a deeper appreciation for how the arts can be transformative to the trauma healing process forward in a supportive and tangible way. She is a grateful mother to a lively and fantastic 2-year-old daughter and they enjoy gardening, listening to music, dancing, and expressing themselves with paint, markers and crayons together.