A Primer on Artist Relocation Programs
Lowertown Arts District, Paducah, Kentucky. Photo credit Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau
Say what?
Artist who?
In a sentence, Artist Relocation Programs attempt to lure artists to live and work in their communities, knowing full well that artists can transform places.*
(**mostly for the better, although the how is crucial. Gentrification is a thing, and we artists are not God’s gift to humanity, exempt from social responsibility. In fact, check out this 1984 October article on the early 80’s Lower East Side takeover by white-owned art galleries. )
There are no guaranteed impacts from these programs, and with any community-based endeavor, on-the-ground, local knowledge and support are crucial for effectiveness. But I venture to bet that adding to your community folks who are creative and look for possibility (we artists are good at that) has pretty good odds.
Below are some brief overviews and impacts of three artist relocation programs in small towns. The specifics differ regarding the community needs and assets. You can read for yourself what a few communities have attempted, and what has resulted from these programs.
Paducah, Kentucky
Back in 2000, Paducah residents wanted to revitalize one of the historic districts in disrepair, and so created a partnership between the Visitors Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, Kentucky Arts Council, Paducah Main Street, and local arts organizations. The City of Paducah bought dozens of abandoned properties and worked with a community bank to provide artists with 100% financing to purchase and renovate structures. In some cases, they gave the land or buildings to the artist. A locally owned web design service offered free web sites to incoming artists.
You can see some of the impacts this has had on the community, which became a designated UNESCO Creative City, only one of nine currently in the US.
Estimated $12 million artist investment in local economy through bank loans.
60+ artists relocated to Paducah
$10 million increase in tourism in one year
$14 million infused in construction industries
Many artists are involved in mentoring efforts with local schools.
Paducah School of Art and Design opened in partnership with the local community college.
In 2017, Paducah released this short video contextualizing the original program and showing how it’s evolved over the years.
Oil City, Pennsylvania
In 2006, Oil City created a similar Arts Revitalization and Artist Relocation program to reinvent their local economy after several oil companies left the area. This was a simpler project, logistically-speaking - the city didn’t purchase any buildings. They simply hired an artist part-time to direct the program and market Oil City nationally to artists. The city restructured zoning laws to create downtown live/workspaces for artists, and partnered with a community bank to provide 100% financing for any artist moving to Oil City interested in buying a new home.
Here are the impacts from this program. The city invested $175,000 over 6 years.
This transformed into $1.3 million revenue for the City.
45 artists relocated to Oil City
21+ new home sales ($1 mil sales)
15 downtown businesses opened
2 commercial properties bought
1 historic building remains open due to 27 artists’ studio spaces
1 non-profit gallery opened
2 new festivals, open studio tours and lunchtime concert series begun.
The National Transit Building in Oil City, PA, houses dozens of artist studios and amenities. Photo credit: ARTS Oil City.
Kinston, North Carolina
And finally, Kinston. I went to grad school just down the road from Kinston, and even had a show at their arts council after I graduated. Since then, the community has really gone all in with civic initiatives on the arts, community, and culture.
Most recently, a few community members created the smART Kinston City Project, an umbrella effort that includes a new-ish Arts and Cultural District, targeted creative placemaking efforts, and an Artist Relocation Program.
According to the smART Kinston City Project website, “The smART Kinston City Project Foundation recruits pioneering artists of all genres to relocate to Kinston and help build our creative economy. Relocated artists – who we affectionately refer to as smARTists – live and work in restored historic homes in the Arts & Cultural District, a diverse and walkable neighborhood just next to downtown.
SmART Kinston provides relocated artists with affordable housing within the Arts & Cultural District. Most homes have space for an in-home studio. In exchange for subsidized rent, smARTists are expected to participate in Open Studios on a regular basis, participate in smARTist community events, and engage with the local community.”
Local impacts to date include:
50+ homes rehabilitated in the Arts & Cultural District
New murals and public art in downtown and Arts & Cultural District
25 artists relocated to the Arts & Cultural District
Residency program established with Penland School of Crafts
Partnership with a local middle school
SmART Gallery to showcase local artists’ work
Learn a little about Kinston from this short video. And dang, Carolina on my mind. Miss it there.