Is Artist Housing in Jeopardy?

Is artist housing in jeopardy?

Tim Prentice, sculptor, architect, and president of the Municipal Art Society, Bernard Kassoy, painter, print-maker, and president of the Artists Equity Association, Edward Potter, director of research at the Real Estate Board of New York, and Aaron Roseman, painter and representative of the Soho Artists Association discuss the perceived artist housing crisis in New York, particularly the SoHo and NoHo neighborhoods in Manhattan.

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Prentice mentions that there is a public hearing on the 25th, just days after the taping of the program.

Casoy discusses a report from the Mayor's committee on Cultural Policy, that highlights the economic boon hat artists bring to the New York City economy. The artists are typically neglected when the City attempts to foster the arts.

Potter views the issue from a slightly different perspective. He sees it as an issue of reuse of loft space in general, of which artists are a substantial component. He argues that loft buildings across Manhattan, and not just SoHo and NoHo, should be opened up. He argues that there are still problems with working with mixed-use.

Roseman discusses gentrification. Loft usage came into being in the late 30s and early 40s, when artists began to move in. Real estate interests followed in afterward.
The concept of the "off-duty" artists is introduced - artists in their attempts of beautification have contributed to the value of the community.
The greed of owners is discussed. This is a contentious subject. Some feel that artists are owed something by the city. This too is contentious.
The administration of allocated space to artists is fraught. Potter does not see how you can treat one group differently than another.
Roseman talks about the history of legislation concerning artists and lofts. Artists have fought many of the legal battles that the real estate industry has taken advantage of.

They again discuss just what an "artist in residence" is. In New York City there is oversight committee comprising artists.

WNYC archives id: 92335