“an unlikely group of artists and activists known as the Art Stays Here Coalition has emerged to help combat displacement. The small, all-volunteer group is part of a broader effort that includes policy makers, developers, advocacy groups, and others to confront a problem that by some estimates has caused more than 2 million square feet of cultural space to vanish over the years, as gentrification emptied studios and other venues across Fort Point, the South End, the Fenway, Cambridge, and beyond.” August 5, 2023

“Advocacy requires specific skills including organizing, public speaking, writing/messaging, marketing/public relations, government relations, project management, event producing and fundraising. Through our experiences, we’ve seen the strongest arts advocacy is when artists come together and join with behind-the-scenes folks to create and execute a campaign. Often, advocating for creative space might be the first time some folks have ever advocated. There’s a lot to learn, a lot of strategy involved, and it takes a village.” July/August Issue 2023

“arts displacement is a symptom of an insecure cultural ecosystem — and to solve it, we must address it holistically. Each part of the ecosystem… — all stakeholders in our sector — must come together with one goal: to stop cultural displacement. We must preserve what we have, build more of what we need, and create protections for both. It’s cliche and true: it will take a village.” May/June Issue 2023

“Last year, the A&BC acquired one of New England’s gems: Western Avenue Studios in Lowell, so it could stay as an affordable home to hundreds of artists across multiple disciplines. Coined “the creative soul of Lowell,” it hosts one of the biggest artist communities in the country: 250 workspaces, 50 live/workspaces, galleries and performance venues, shops and cafes.” March/April Issue 2023

“After years of negotiations, artists at Humphreys Street Studios in Dorchester were finally able to buy where they work last week.” November 15, 2022

“The preservation of this artist community was a direct result of the artists’ organization and advocacy for affordable artist workspace.” November 14, 2022

“At a time when soaring rents have forced many creatives to leave the city, artists at Humphreys Street Studios have notched a rare win in the ongoing battle against displacement.” November 11, 2022

“But the real lesson lies in the success of the artists’ organizing effort. “It's about advocating for artists in Boston,” Todesco says. “And making sure that other folks, that the public, can see the value of artists in the environment, in the community.” November 10, 2022