New York has been about art and culture for a very long time. That's because the artists are, economically speaking, a courtier class, and the best way for the

New York has been about art and culture for a very long time. That's because the artists are, economically speaking, a courtier class, and the best way for them to thrive (and therefore the best way to surround yourself with fellow full time working artists) is the locate yourself near the people with money.