Artists and advocates started the #ARTSTAYSHERE Coalition to prevent artist displacement across Massachusetts, which had totalled over two million square feet of arts/music/cultural space lost. Since then, we’ve fostered collaborative custom solutions to prevent displacement of thousands of visual artists and musicians. We bring together artists, property owners, developers, nonprofits, funders, and government to help solve each situation favorably for everyone. Each brings resources, we work it out, the whole is stronger.
In April, Cottage Street Studios artists in Easthampton called us, under great duress. Longtime landlord Riverside Industries would raise rents 25-100% all at once. This was the warning call of displacement, as there is no way artists and creative small businesses could afford such a steep increase, when expected increases range 2-3% annually. Cottage Street Studios, Easthampton artists, and the creative sector of western Massachusetts calls upon everyone who visits Open Studios, enjoys gallery exhibitions, live music concerts and other cultural activities to do your part. The CSS website outlines sending letters, signing the petition. Show that you care about keeping artists in Easthampton. Stand with Easthampton City Council, which unanimously adopted their affordable artist workspace resolution. Stand with 100-plus who attended last week’s arts community meeting at City Space. We know what happens without community support: displacement. It won’t end in Easthampton. It will bleed to Northampton, Holyoke, and everyone we let it. If you want to live in a place where artists live, please do your part, too.
Ami Bennitt, #ARTSTAYSHERE
Boston
