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- If there's more data showing that artists help improve a community's quality of life, I think that's important data to share. The author figures that's a give

- If there's more data showing that artists help improve a community's quality of life, I think that's important data to share. The author figures that's a given (and I agree) but I don't think the general public gets it yet. If you roll out the red carpet, create spaces for artists, treat artists with respect, you might attract more artists. (Instead of harassing them, which is common.) However, what kind of artists will you get? You need a strategy. - There's the whole issue of the Internet that the article doesn't really cover. Not that long ago, New York artists had to wait for the latest styles to get from Paris to New York by ship. Today, location is not as much an issue. If your work is remarkable and you can get a good photo uploaded to the Internet, who cares where you are? New York artists are a dime a dozen. If you're somewhere exotic, that could work to your advantage. Years ago I read an article about galleries closing in favor of more intimate, private viewing spaces where you could make an appointment to see and purchase something you saw online. (Assuming you need to see it in person before purchasing.) So the fancy street address is no longer as important to sell art. And Art Basel (and similar events) make New York less relevant too.

jacobolus 12y ago
Why does the author need to care about “a community’s quality of life” as some kind of abstract ideal, or collect data about it? What “community” are we talking about? If it’s the community of artists and other weird/interesting people, then of course having other similar people around improves the community’s quality of life, since that’s what the community is. Do artists improve the quality of life of a community of bankers? Who knows, and who cares?
- pjbrunet 12y ago
  The assumption underlying the whole article: property values rise because a neighborhood is "cool" and appealing, because artists live there. (And then artists must leave because they can't afford rent.) There is data showing that's true, but I don't think there's any general consensus yet. (So more people can understand what the article is talking about.) Rising property values, the cool factor, the vibe, beautiful people, whatever you want to call the thing that attracts people to an artsy area. I called it "quality of life" but yes an abstract concept, I was deliberately vague because that's hard to define. I think people do care, which is why they spend good money to move to these neighborhoods. Also the artists care because they want credit for what they helped create.

jacobolus 12y ago

Why does the author need to care about “a community’s quality of life” as some kind of abstract ideal, or collect data about it? What “community” are we talking about? If it’s the community of artists and other weird/interesting people, then of course having other similar people around improves the community’s quality of life, since that’s what the community is. Do artists improve the quality of life of a community of bankers? Who knows, and who cares?

pjbrunet 12y ago
The assumption underlying the whole article: property values rise because a neighborhood is "cool" and appealing, because artists live there. (And then artists must leave because they can't afford rent.) There is data showing that's true, but I don't think there's any general consensus yet. (So more people can understand what the article is talking about.) Rising property values, the cool factor, the vibe, beautiful people, whatever you want to call the thing that attracts people to an artsy area. I called it "quality of life" but yes an abstract concept, I was deliberately vague because that's hard to define. I think people do care, which is why they spend good money to move to these neighborhoods. Also the artists care because they want credit for what they helped create.