NEWS

The latest from the advocacy projects we’re working on.

For updates on a specific building or community we’re working with, please check their individual pages.

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Boston Globe: Long pushed out when neighborhoods change, artists are fighting back, and getting help

“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

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Artscope Magazine: The Art of Advocacy

“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

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Artscope Magazine: A Call to Protect Our Cultural & Creative Spaces

“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

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WBUR: At public hearing, artists demand more rehearsal space in Boston

“more than two dozen individuals who signed up to speak at the public hearing. The room was filled with artists of various disciplines — from musicians to audio engineers, writers to dancers. The majority said they have been forced to move two or even three times as rehearsal spaces have been turned into housing and condominiums.The hearing lasted several hours and discussed a number of solutions.” March 8, 2023

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Artscope Magazine: A Solution to Arts Displacement

“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

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Universal Hub: Boston music crisis: Another large rehearsal space set to close, this time in Charlestown, councilor says

“Boston is home to many incredible artists like New Edition, Aerosmith, Oompa, and many of the upcoming artists who attend the Berklee College of Music. Our city loses many of these artists to Los Angeles and New York because of the lack of resources and support provided by the City of Boston.” January 25, 2023

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