Urban Planning 538: Arts, Culture and Economic Development Examples

Student Examples (post entries here):

To engage and illustrate our discussion Tuesday (Feb 10) of Arts and Economic Development, please post examples of cultural districts, local arts efforts, arts clusters, arts subsidies, and debates about local arts and economic development -- a wide variety of examples encouraged. (Themes might include: efforts to use arts to trigger neighborhood revitalization; arts and gentrification battles; the displacement of the arts by more remunerable economic activities; arts and placemaking; arts and city marketing; arts linked to TIFs, BIDs, DDAs, studies on the economic impact of local arts subsidies, etc.); arts and workforce development; arts districts and historical preservation; etc.) Note: I included last year's examples for your interest.

Instructions for students: everyone registered in UP538 has editing access to this document; be sure to click "sign in" at the bottom of the page (using your UM account if you are not already signed in), and then click on the pencil icon above to edit. Format: be sure to give your entry a simple title, a comment (where appropriate), and your name.

I have started the page with a few examples. Please add your own (brief entries are fine, such as an image, an article link or a quote; images optional; please list all sources). Thanks! Scott Campbell

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BELOW: EXAMPLES FROM LAST YEAR's CLASS (2015)

The Purple Rose Theatre in the City of Chelsea, MI

"A cleaned up downtown is all well and good, but if there aren’t open storefronts lining the streets, there’s little point in spending money on aesthetic improvements. Chelsea needed a catalyst, and it got two. One was in the form of the Purple Rose Theatre Company, a nonprofit theatre founded by actor/musician Jeff Daniels, a Chelsea native and longtime resident." (Douglas Smith)

Source: http://www.nlc.org/Documents/Find%20City%20Solutions/Research%20Innovation/Economic%20Development/ChelseaReport_Final%204-12-13.pdf

Banksy mural sold to create studio space & for educational programs

"The Banksy in Detroit has been the center of controversy from the moment artists from the 555 Gallery, a grassroots all-volunteer organization, removed it from the ruins of the Packard Plant. They said they were merely saving the work from imminent destruction and would put it on public display. They also said they had no interest in selling it. Critics said that gallery had no right to take it — and that the meaning of the graffiti art is indivisible from its location, so to move it is to kill it. The controversy erupted anew earlier this year when the gallery revealed that it planned to sell the Banksy to raise money for its primary mission of providing exhibition space and studios for artists and educational programs. Critics charged the gallery with hypocrisy." (Aayat Ali)

Source: http://archive.freep.com/article/20140820/ENT05/308200047/banksy-packard-plant-graffiti-art

Gentrification and the Arts Scene in Berlin

Comments: Berlin has long enjoyed a reputation for being a center of the arts -- both elite, formal arts institutions (opera houses, museums, symphonies, theater, etc.) and a large alternative, low-rent arts scene. Is the latter being threatened by the very economic growth of the once-struggling city? a few articles and image below. (S. Campbell)

source: Matt Shea. 2013. Berliners Are Fighting a War Against Hipster-Led Gentrification, Vice, April 5.

"How to square the need for continued economic development—something to which Renner later clarified on social media that he believes culture does and must play a role in—with maintaining open space for culture-producers remains an immense challenge." Alexander Forbes. 2014. Are Berlin's Days as a Culture Capital Numbered? artnet news. (June 23).

see also: LowerTown Arts District

source: National Main Street Center (link)

Detroit, MI

Comment: Galapagos Art Space moving from Brooklyn to Detroit. Like other recent majority white efforts being brought to the city, their move comes with much fanfare, while majority African American art institutions that have been doing similar projects for years are ignored. What will the impact be of planting an arts complex in the middle of a a city (Highland Park) that is 94% African American, and where 51% of the population live below the poverty level? For whom is this art space being created? And what does that mean for the people living there? In what I see as a giant middle finger to the people living in poverty they will be surrounded by - they are building a 10,000 square foot lake in the middle of their space. (Matt W.)

Detroit's hip arts scene lures Brooklyn-based Galapagos

Inevitably, Galapagos Art Space Blowback Begins

Source: http://www.freep.com/story/money/business/michigan/2014/12/08/galapagos-arts-corktown/20122551/; Source: http://www.galapagosdetroit.com/gallery-1/

Arts Festivals as a Means of City Marketing and Economic Development - Grand Rapids ArtPrize Festival

Comment: The Grand Rapids annual ArtPrize festival is a 19 day international art competition in the fall that transforms downtown Grand Rapids with free and open public art exhibits, and draws visitors worldwide. It was established in 2009 and is a multi-stakeholder partnership and effort between the business community, the local and international art community, the City of Grand Rapids, media and many volunteers. The festival spawns many other concerts, events and shows throughout the city and builds greater awareness of Grand Rapids throughout the region and US as a cultural travel destination. Based on an economic impact study of ArtPrize 2013 by Anderson Economic Group, the festival resulted in $22.1 MM of net-new economic activity and created 253 new jobs. It would be interesting to determine whether impacts of this festival are concentrated primarily in the downtown, as the 2015 festival is allowing one of the venues to be set up outside of the 3 mile downtown district as part of a neighborhood revitalization project with Habitat for Humanity to "explore the social dimensions of art interventions." (Katrina C.)

Source: Grand Rapids Store - https://grandrapidsstore.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/2014-Poster.jpg

ArtPrize Official Site and ArtPrize 2013 Annual Report

2015 SiTE:LAB Venue outside of contest borders

Gordon Square Arts District

Although Cleveland's primary theater district is Playhouse Square, which is just east of the city's downtown, the Gordon Square Arts District tries to create a neighborhood around three distinctive theaters on Cleveland's West Side. The theaters, Capitol Theater, Cleveland Public Theater and New West Theater, works with the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization. They have built a community of apartments, restaurants, artist spaces, and stores around these theaters. (Scott F.)

Source: blog.gordonsquare.org

Heidelberg Project

"It’s an open-air art environment in the heart of an urban community on Detroit’s East Side. Tyree Guyton, founder and artistic director, uses everyday, discarded objects to create a two block area full of color, symbolism, and intrigue. Now in its 28th year, the Heidelberg Project is recognized around the world as a demonstration of the power of creativity to transform lives." (Doug P)

http://www.heidelberg.org/

"In Asheville, N.C., the River Arts District Blooms" (NYT Headline, 2010)

Over the past decade, an array of artists and working studios have come to inhabit 22 former factories and historical buildings along the French Broad River in Asheville. Today, the River Arts District (RAD), features are more than 180 studios, many with showrooms and galleries, open year round. While the arts boom has led to economic growth in Asheville, the city is now actively seeking proposals to combat gentrification. — Paul Gully, UP538

NYT article excerpts:

"What began with artists taking over abandoned warehouses has grown into what is now known as the River Arts District, thanks to its proximity to the French Broad River that cuts through this bohemian mountain town."
"As interest in this welcoming art scene has continued to grow, new businesses have been opening at a rapid clip."

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/05/travel/05asheville-headsup.html?_r=0

Atlantic City Arts Commission and Garden State Film Festival - Atlantic City, NJ

1. Art Box Project AC - placemaking

"The Art Box Project AC, organized by the Atlantic City Arts Commission – to recognize and celebrate artists. Artists are asked to paint utility boxes with an original design in order to enhance the streetscape, bringing art out into open spaces, and communicates to the viewer a vibrant, inclusive, and diverse community."

Mission statement of the Atlantic City Arts Commission: "The Atlantic City Arts Commission is an advisory body appointed by City Council of the City of Atlantic City. The Arts Commission makes recommendations on public projects requiring city governmental/administration approval, regarding visual fine arts, including parks, public buildings landscapes, providing comment on the general external aesthetic environment of the city; recommends work of art acquired by the city, and to indicate and supervise its proposed location; recommends the removal, relocation or alteration of any existing work of art in the possession of the city; examines all works of art located in the city and makes recommendations to the City Council regarding city owned works of art; to serve as an advisory board to the Planning and Zoning Boards for the purpose of making recommendations regarding proposed projects; to support development of arts coalition to include all art disciplines, performing arts, theater arts and others."

Visit: http://www.atlanticcityart.org/

2. Garden State Film Festival - Economic development through festivals. It's not about the gambling; it's about the history of film and supporting artists! "Our event provides novice and aspiring filmmakers, actors, and others interested in careers in the film business, the opportunity to meet and network with industry professionals in an atmosphere conducive to learning and mentoring. Further, we are happy to be in our new location of Atlantic City and hope to serve as an added engine for the city’s vitality through arts, commerce and culture."

Visit: http://www.gsff.org/philosophy/

Artscape West Queen Street - Toronto

Artscape West Queen West was Artscape’s first affordable housing project and the first officially-zoned artist live/work project in Toronto. Artscape West Queen West is home to 22 artist-led families, five work studios, a gallery and a tenant garden with a community bake oven. The building is owned and operated by Artscape Non-Profit Homes Inc. (ANPHI) under the terms of a social housing agreement with the City of Toronto. Apart from its specialized mandate to house artists and their families, the project operates similarly to other non-profit housing projects, providing a mix of market and rent-geared-to-income tenancies. (Gregg M.)

http://www.artscapediy.org/Case-Studies/Artscape-West-Queen-West.aspx

Cow Parade (Chicago Cows)

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/29/07/12/290712224afc5e045cf9adf58e6aaee9.jpg

"After making its American debut in Chicago, the Cow Parade cows quickly spread to more than 50 countries around the world. The idea is a simple one; have local artists, architects, photographers and designers, and celebrities paint, decorate, and dress up fiberglass cow statues, and then exhibit them around the city for several months. The art exhibit is a great way for cities to attract tourism dollars and showcase their local attractions. But there is more to the Cow Parade event than just accruing revenue. After the exhibition is over, the Cow Parade cows are auctioned off, and the money is donated to many different charities. During its 12 year run, it is estimated that Cows on Parade has raised more than $20 million for charitable organizations around the world."

http://www.chicagotraveler.com/cows_on_parade.htm

http://www.cowparade.com/

-- Kayla Ulrich

"Pittsburgh arts initiatives create national community development model" (Pittsburgh Post Gazette headline, 2013)

The Penn Avenue Arts District sprung from the Penn Ave Arts Initiative, a collaborative program launched in 1998 that aimed to revitalize 7 blocks of what was once a main artery in Pittsburgh. Today, the larger community development strategy involves community development corporations and neighborhood associations to weave together neighborhoods and facilitate residential, commercial, and cultural projects. (Grace Evans)

PPG article excerpt:

The adjacent neighborhoods of Bloomfield and Garfield had different ethnic identities but similar problems: crime and decay. "Businesses were leaving, so [local foundations] were willing to try a joint program of the community groups," recalls Jeffrey Dorsey, the first director of the Penn Avenue Arts Initiative. "We were created from the environment we were in -- cheap housing stock," says Mr. Dorsey. The Community Design Center of Pittsburgh enlisted architects to create a master plan for seven blocks along the street, and the initiative acquired 16 properties.

An Art Deco car dealership on nearby Friendship Avenue was turned into the Spinning Plate Artist Lofts for low-income artists. Arts entrepreneurs got micro-grants to rehab row houses into galleries and homes. The Initiative added facade and renovation grants. Two dozen artists and arts groups, including the Pittsburgh Glass Center, colonized the street. http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/art-architecture/2013/06/09/Pittsburgh-arts-initiatives-create-national-community-development-model/stories/201306090197

http://www.pennavenue.org/

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Palette EYA Townhomes Renaissance Square

http://www.hyattsville.org/195/Arts-District-Hyattsville

At the Palette at Hyattsville Arts District outside of Washington, D.C., "residents enjoy access to the Lustine Center, a restored 1950s automobile showroom with a billiards area, fitness center, art gallery, juice bar, and more. Construction on commercial portion of the East Village commenced in early 2010 will feature new town homes, multifamily homes, and the much-anticipated retail town center. Anchor retail tenants include Maryland’s first Yes! Organic Market and two eco-friendly Certified B Corporations, Big Bad Woof and Busboys and Poets. The location is also home to Elevation Burger, Tara Thai, Chipotle, and several other regionally-acclaimed boutique retailers." This pseudo-arts district hinges upon Renaissance Square Artist housing, which "offers 44 affordable one- and two-bedroom apartments to low-income artists" and the proximity of the Gateway Arts District, which has more traditional artist/arts-district programming. (Mikah Zaslow)

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