WHO WE ARE
We are a volunteer coalition of artists, musicians, and advocates -- people working in different parts of the creative economy -- who, through coming together in one voice, work both to prevent arts and cultural displacement throughout Greater Boston and lead a movement where the arts and artists are more valued as necessary assets to cities, towns, neighborhoods, and overall human wellbeing. Learn more about our volunteer steering committee on our Team Page.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
The arts and artists of all disciplines are undervalued and under-resourced. In order to change this, we need to re-define the value of arts and artists as a population worth investing in and fighting for, by keeping creatives living, working, teaching, and contributing to our communities.
We believe in PLACE KEEPING: “the active care and maintenance of a place and its social fabric by the people who live and work there. It is not just preserving buildings but keeping the cultural memories associated with a locale alive, while supporting the ability of local people to maintain their way of life as they choose.”
We believe in development without displacement. As property values continue rising, there will be desire to develop and/or redevelop property. We believe preserving arts and cultural spaces is paramount to a community’s fabric and ethos, regardless of development. There are many ways to develop without displacement -- through conversation, collaboration, and partnerships.
WHAT WE DO
We help artist communities at risk of displacement, usually due to development. We talk with artists, property owners, government, developers, and funders to help figure out anti-displacement solutions. We help artist communities to organize internally and externally, create tenant associations, develop/execute public support campaigns.
Through advocacy, we plan to build an “arts army” to help educate people about the value of artists and how to join our cause.
WHO WE HELP
Artist/creative small business communities, music rehearsal communities, and live performance venues -- those who work in the creative sector who either are currently at risk of displacement or those who want to preventively prepare against potential future displacement.
HOW WE GOT HERE
The #ARTSTAYSHERE COALITION was born out of the anti-displacement work done by artists at Humphreys Street Studios (HSS), a creative community of 50 artists and creative small businesses in Uphams Corner, Dorchester (Boston). Through the three-year journey to preserve the artist workspaces as both affordable and in Boston proper, they learned to organize, advocate, and bring communities together around keeping artists working in Greater Boston. Although their work ended with a win, and their studios are now officially majority artist-owned/operated, they know that many who have come before have lost, have left Boston, some as far as Pawtucket RI, New Bedford, MA or further. The HSS artists have joined with others in similar situations -- and together, they hope not only to prevent further displacement, but eventually have a state agency who buys, holds and manages arts and cultural spaces, performs advocacy for the creative sector, and helps train artists on how to administer, market and operate cultural spaces.
SUPPORT CREATIVE COMMUNITIES & JOIN THE MOVEMENT
With each artist community we advocate for, we need help.
Whether you're an artist, musician, arts administrator, creative small business, public servant, or supporter, we want you to join our movement. With numbers our movement is stronger & our message gets to more eyes & ears.