Law Looks to Subsidize Housing for Artists
Governor Spitzer signed a bill yesterday aimed at helping artists pay for housing, a measure meant to shore up the city’s cultural capital. The bill, which was sponsored by Assemblywoman Joan Millman, will give artists two-year grants of up to $12,000 for live-work spaces. “When people want to make it in the arts they come…
Governor Spitzer signed a bill yesterday aimed at helping artists pay for housing, a measure meant to shore up the city’s cultural capital. The bill, which was sponsored by Assemblywoman Joan Millman, will give artists two-year grants of up to $12,000 for live-work spaces. “When people want to make it in the arts they come to New York,” said Millman. “Artists come into communities that are rundown and sleazy and bring a life and vibrancy to that community—they are an economic engine and they shouldn’t be overlooked.” Though funding for the program has yet to be hammered out, it will likely provide grants for between 40 and 50 units, and Dumbo is being eyed as a possible location for the housing. As New York continues to hemorrhage artists to cheaper cities like Philly, you gotta wonder whether a bill like this is too little too late. And does it make sense to import artists back into nabes, like Dumbo, that they had a big hand in gentrifying?
Housing Help Slated for Artists [AM New York]
Photo by Escapefromnewyork
I am an artist with a degree in Communication Design. I am homeless with a EBT and a dog who lives with someone else. I live in a homeless shelter with convicts. Nice. That is why I paid 60 thousand towards my education.
I would like to know about the 12,000 grant.
It would make more sense to me to donate buildings that the city owns. Let the artist or other companies donate time and money in renovating artist studios-(live and work). Then offer the artist to buy these places at low rates after giving them a year of living there. This way the city is encouraging growth and cleaning up bad areas such as Crown Heights. People go where artist live for the free cheese and wine, view art, socialize. This is why artist should get help. Artist encourage change by their very Being some where. Nurses, teachers do get subsidized housing. Artist generally are starving, rather spend time and money on their work than eat. Which is what I am doing today. 3rd ward in Brooklyn gives access to materials, computers, studios, equipment that artist generally need to work. For me to eat today I would of had to go to the shelter. No more money. 160 in food stamps does not go that far in today’s market.
Earn up to 42,000 go here to Purchase a home. Yes, you heard it right. Nurses can now get affordable housing.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/html/apartment/lotteries.shtml
The Department of housing Preservation and Development.
There people who make under 42,000.00 a year can purchase an apartment at affordable rates.
Can someone please tell me what ever happened to the artist housing from 2007? I would submit my body of work to be considered.
Homeless artist.
Y’all some of tha most diabolical haterz. Hate, hate , hate, hate!
one problem is determining who is legitimately using the subsidy to produce, and who is just leaching off of it. I like having artists in the community, but it’s no free ride. If they have to struggle, fine. I know a lot of people who sold out because they were sick of struggling. Many are happy they did so.
Frankly, though, why not just spend the money on public education or something instead of on commissioning another interpretive dance about Eve Ensler’s stinking vagina?
Well said, 6:19. The above “artist” who owns a brownstone is proof that these subsidies should not be given. Clearly, it is possible to earn a decent living being an artist, so no govt. assistance is needed. Pull your own weight, losers.
Hey, 12:34:
It would help us all if you could construct a proper English sentence. Might I suggest Strunk & White’s “The Elements of Style” for all your construction and grammar needs? With a little study on your part we might actually understand some of your half-assed Manhattan Institute jibber-jabber.
I am sorry that I was unable to convey my thoughts in a appropriate manner. It seems a bit mean spirited of you to single me out. Do you have an opinion about the topic that is being discussed or just about me? It is funny that an insult, even in this form, hurts. I recognize that I write quickly online and often do not check it. I am sorry. I am sure that I am not as well educated as most the posters. You are right that I should take the time to further educate myself. Please do not think that this is some snide retort. I am sincere. I’ve wanted to take Italian for some time. Perhaps I’ll take a writing course. Thank you.
most of the artist-types i knew in college were whores. art is dead.
My wife is an artist and has always worked to support herself on her own. Sometimes she’s been able to make it through her art sometimes she’s had to hold other jobs. If you can’t support yourself and make your art then you should give up your art.
Live where you can afford like everyone else. This romanticizing and pitying of artists is bullshit.
Hey, 12:34:
It would help us all if you could construct a proper English sentence. Might I suggest Strunk & White’s “The Elements of Style” for all your construction and grammar needs? With a little study on your part we might actually understand some of your half-assed Manhattan Institute jibber-jabber.
Question: “Artists come into communities that are rundown and sleazy and bring a life and vibrancy to that community—they are an economic engine and they shouldn’t be overlooked.”
But how does giving money to artists to live in Dumbo do that? I don’t get it.
Answer: Geez this is maddening. Are you too lazy to look this history up on the web yourself?
Artists are no longer in Dumbo due to forced evictions. Dumbo was an zoned for industrial use, with artist in residence spaces for decades, and it became a mecca for developers due to a change in zoning and landmark status.
If you give artists some financial assistance a few can remain in Dumbo to keep some semblance of ‘flavor’ to the place. It’s becoming stale by the minute as it is….