It's a tale as old as time...or at least as old as the advent of cities: Portland's Independent Publishing Resource Center, the place where anyone in town can go to learn about letterpress, printmaking, zine building and more is being forced to leave their current location due to a huge rent increase.

The IPRC was founded in 1998 as a resource for anyone who wanted to learn something about printing by hand. It was originally housed above what was then Reading Frenzy, near Powell's on Burnside. That location was quite small so in 2012, they expanded into their current, much bigger space at 1001 S.E. Division St.

Now, due to a 300 percent rent increase, the IPRC must move again. To fund their move, the IPRC has set up a Kickstarter.

"As a nonprofit organization our mission is to provide affordable access to resources to the writers and artists making independent media," says Hajara Quinn, Operations Coordinator at Independent Publishing Resource Center. "What saddens us even more than our own uncertain future, is that this is not a unique story."

The IPRC shares a building with Grixen Brewing Company, which is owned by W Harrison Investments LLC, who have not yet responded to our requests for a comment. Though there's been speculation that the brewery could expand into the IPRC part of the building when the IPRC moves, Scott Petersen, one of Grixen Brewing Company owners, tells us over the phone, "That is the IPRC's business and the landlords. What we do in the future is undetermined."

The raising rent reflects a changing Portland, according to Quinn.

"When the organizations are priced out, individuals artists are also priced out," she says. "I think it's important to remember that breweries and boutiques aren't the height of Portland culture. Beer and retail aren't the heart of this city, artists are."

-- Lizzy Acker

503-221-8052

lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker