Artist Space Development: Financing

Chris Walker

2007, 113 pages. Leveraging Investments in Creativity, 450 West 37th St., Suite 502, NY, NY 10018, (646) 731-3275, www.lincnet.net

These reports, from Leveraging Investments in Creativity, are designed to provide resource-rich tools for artists, real estate developers, community development organizations, funders, and public agencies seeking to enhance the vitality of their communities. The reports feature case studies from twenty-nine artists' spaces in Seattle, Tucson, New Orleans, Detroit, Providence, Pittsburg, and Philadelphia. These case studies illustrate how to align artist space proposals with community development goals, how to capitalize on market gaps, how to leverage tax credits for low income housing and preservation, and how to reduce financial risks through partnerships with NGO's. Within the case studies, the processes, successes, and potential pitfalls of financing and developing affordable artists' spaces in urban markets are outlined. The reports also comment on trends that are common when developing an artist space in relation to securing funding, including of artists in the planning process, and understanding zoning details and tax credits available to projects.