America’s Top ArtPlaces 2013 America’s Top 12 ArtPlaces

Art is inspiring and motivating. But it is also a powerful catalyst for The selection of these neighborhoods was based on a set of six indicators. change within communities, invigorating neighborhoods, supporting Four indicators measure the ingredients of vibrancy: the number of local businesses, and creating vibrant places where people want to be. retail and service businesses, the percentage of independent businesses, ArtPlace, a collaboration of leading national and regional foundations, the neighborhood’s Walk Score and the percentage of workers in banks and federal agencies, was founded to accelerate “creative creative occupations living in the neighborhood. Then two arts-related placemaking” – that is, putting art at the heart of a portfolio of strategies indicators were added: the number of arts-related non-profits and to revitalize communities in ways nothing else quite can. the number of arts-related businesses. Inside are profiles of the first-ever list of America’s Top ArtPlaces. Finally, neighborhood scores were normalized for family income, so that neighborhoods with the highest concentration of income did Twelve neighborhoods across the country were identified by ArtPlace not skew the results. as most successfully combining art, artists and other creatives, independent businesses, retail shops and restaurants, and walkability The results are 12 exciting, and sometimes surprising, neighborhoods – to make vibrant places. all unique, all deeply local, all relatively recent comeback stories with art at their heart. America’s Top ArtPlaces demonstrate how art and artists are creating the kinds of places people want to be. America’s Top 12 ArtPlaces (in alphabetical order, not ranked)

Inside, you’ll get a look at what Brooklyn, NY Oakland, CA makes these communities The intersection of Downtown, Downtown, including Chinatown, America’s Top 12 ArtPlaces. Fort Greene, Gowanus, Park Slope Old Oakland and Jack London Square Writing with intimate knowledge of their local communities, and Prospect Heights our reporters interviewed local Philadelphia, PA leaders in the arts, community Dallas, TX Old City residents and businesspeople. The Dallas Arts District, with parts The results tell a compelling story of Deep Ellum and Exposition Park Portland, OR about how the arts can spark The Pearl District exciting changes in communities and create the kinds of places Los Angeles, CA and a portion of Downtown people want to be. Central Hollywood Even though we’ve profiled San Francisco, CA only the 12 top neighborhoods Miami Beach, FL The Mission District nationwide, every metropolitan South Beach area has its own top ArtPlace Seattle, WA neighborhood. A complete list of the neighborhoods that ranked Milwaukee, WI The Pike-Pine Corridor highest in each of the largest East Town and a portion 44 metropolitan areas across of the Lower East Side Washington, DC the country appears on page 33. The intersection of Adams Morgan, New York, NY U Street, and Dupont Circle Manhattan Valley How We Determined America’s Top ArtPlaces

Intensive research went into refining the data points ArtPlace uses The selection of these indicators was guided by the fact that each to identify these centers of creative activity. The bedrock of the is collected nationally and is available at a neighborhood level research comes from a tool developed for ArtPlace by Portland-based of geography. Once complete, The Vibrancy Indicators will be made Impresa Consulting, called The Vibrancy Indicators. These ten available publicly for use by anyone interested in measuring indicators will be used to track changes over time in the people neighborhood vibrancy. and activity in the places ArtPlace invests. They are: For further details, see artplaceamerica.org/vibrancy-indicators. For the purposes of selecting America’s Top ArtPlaces, the full list of vibrancy 1. Population Density indicators was reduced to the four most applicable indicators: 2. Employment Rate 3. Percentage of Workers in Creative Occupations 1. Number of Indicator Businesses 4. Number of Indicator Businesses 2. Percentage of Independent Businesses 5. Number of Jobs in the Community 3. Walkability (Walk Score) 6. Walkability (Walk Score) 4. Percentage of Workers in Creative Occupations 7. Number of Mixed-Use Blocks 8. Cell Phone Activity Two other factors were added to this list to pinpoint the location 9. Percentage of Independent Businesses of arts activities: 10. Number of Creative Industry Jobs 1. Number of Arts-Related Non-Profit Organizations 2. Number of Arts-Related Businesses How We Determined America’s Top ArtPlaces

The Selection Process Filtering for Income

The first step in determining America’s Top ArtPlaces was identifying Finally, to address the concern that some neighborhoods might achieve the Zip codes in each of the 44 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. very high scores because of a concentration of high-income households that ranked highest on these indicators; that is, the neighborhoods in the neighborhood, one further adjustment was made. Using data that show the combined effects of vibrancy and the concentration of from the American Community Survey, the team computed the median artistic activity. family income for the half-mile radius surrounding each selected center. After identifying these neighborhoods, neighborhoods that were not The median family incomes were normalized, and the resulting scores among the top 2 to 3 percent in each of the six indicators were were inverted so the highest-income neighborhood had a score of 1, eliminated. Applying the screening criteria to more than 30,000 Zip and the lowest-income neighborhoods had a score of 100. The inverted, codes nationally, the research team narrowed the list for consideration normalized income score was multiplied by the score computed to 200 Zip codes that had the highest values on the six indicators. earlier. This adjustment has the effect of raising scores of low-income neighborhoods relative to high-income neighborhoods. Next, the pattern of indicator businesses and arts non-profits in each of the selected Zip codes was analyzed to identify a central location The results reflect the highest scoring neighborhood in each of the that represented the greatest concentration of activity in that Zip code. nation’s 44 largest metropolitan areas. In metropolitan areas with two After identifying the center of the activity – not necessarily an arts or more principal cities in which each city had a neighborhood that met center like Lincoln Center, just a center point based on concentration the screening criteria – Tampa/St. Petersburg, Minneapolis/St. Paul, of activity – the team traced a half-mile radius around it and ran the Dallas/Fort Worth – the highest-scoring neighborhood in each principal numbers again for that newly defined area. city was selected. Scores were normalized based on the distribution of scores for all of the 200 neighborhood centers that survived the screening process. The normalized scores are on a scale of zero to 100, with the highest-scoring neighborhood being 100. The score for each neighborhood represents its rank in the distribution of all the neighborhood centers analyzed. How We Determined America’s Top ArtPlaces

Further Explanation Data Sources

Indicator Businesses are defined as retail and service businesses that 1. Indicator Businesses: rely heavily on walk-in customer traffic and include 44 different categories American Business Database of businesses. 2. Arts Non-Profits: The percentage of Independent Businesses is inferred by the fraction of eating places in each ArtPlace neighborhood that was independent. National Center for Charitable Statistics To determine which eating places were independent, we identified a list 3. Independent Businesses: of the 400 largest restaurant chains in the U.S. compiled by National American Business Database Restaurant News. We then employed a pattern recognition/name 4. Workers in Creative Occupations: matching algorithm to our database of eating places and identified all American Community Survey establishments that were part of one of the 400 largest restaurant chains. We classified all other restaurants as independent. 5. Arts-Related Businesses: Arts-Related Businesses are defined as four categories of business: American Business Database dance studios and schools, museums and art galleries, musical 6. Walk Score: Front Seat, Inc. instrument stores and theatrical producers. 7. Census 2010 Creative Occupations are defined as arts, design, entertainment, sports 8. SpotRank: Skyhook and media occupations. 9. American Community Survey How We Determined America’s Top ArtPlaces

A Note about Acknowledgement Oakland, CA Rural Communities Any city would kill to get the attention and This process is very effective in Data analysis and processing excitement happening identifying active, arts-driven was performed by Impresa, Inc., at Art Murmur. It’s a really neighborhoods in metropolitan a Portland-based consulting organic expression of areas, but less effective at firm specializing in the study recognizing rural communities. of metropolitan economies, the people who live there, It is hard to gauge the success knowledge-based industries a very bottom-up energy. of Marfa, Texas, for example, and the development and because it does not compare migration of talented workers. in the number of businesses, population density, etc. ArtPlace is developing a set of indicators that Philadelphia, PA identify the most animated arts communities in rural America. It’s great to be part of that vitality — and to fuel new artists and new perspectives. America’s Top 12 ArtPlaces Brooklyn, NY Percentage of Workers Number of Arts-Related Number of Arts-Related in Creative Occupation Non-Profit Organizations Businesses Target Neighborhood The intersection of Downtown, 6.3% 76 30 Arts Non-Profits Fort Greene, Gowanus, Park Slope Core Indicator Percentage of Number of Indicator Walk Score Businesses Independent Businesses Businesses (Walkability) and Prospect Heights 91% 722 99 Features

3 Courtesy of John MontgomeryCourtesy John of MontgomeryCourtesy John of 9 1 Brooklyn Academy of Music 2 Mullanes Bar & Grill 2

1 4

6

7 8

5 Courtesy of Flickr user HorsePunchKid user Courtesy Flickr of Courtesy of John MontgomeryCourtesy John of

3 Brownstones, Portland Avenue 4 Barclays Center

10 Courtesy of John MontgomeryCourtesy John of Courtesy of John MontgomeryCourtesy John of 5 The Green Grape 6 Flea Market Courtesy of John MontgomeryCourtesy John of Courtesy of Flickr user Benjamin Haas Benjamin user Courtesy Flickr of Copyright 2009 Stephanie BergerCopyright 2009 Stephanie MontgomeryCourtesy John of 7 Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts 8 Bang on a Can Ensemble 9 Stonehome Wine Bar 10 Farmacy Brooklyn, NY Reported by Anne Byrd The intersection of Downtown, Fort Greene, Gowanus, Park Slope and Prospect Heights This borough has more There’s a critical mass artists than any other of arts organizations. borough in NYC, and I think it’s going to be like that comes across Museum Mile in Manhattan.

Courtesy of John MontgomeryCourtesy John of in every aspect – bars, Mark Morris Dance Center cafés, night clubs, I’ve only been here six Arts Organizations houses of worship, books. and Architecture months, but it seemed In 2014 BRIC House will open across Since the BAM Cultural District the street from BAM, giving home really began taking off in the past to one of downtown Brooklyn’s most decade, the neighborhood has like the place to be. vibrant arts organizations and seen an explosion of hip restaurants the force behind the free Celebrate and independent retailers. Stonehome Brooklyn! concerts in Prospect Park. Wine Bar and Restaurant, opened in The new architecture of BRIC House 2003, is a lively spot for concert-goers reimagines one of the old Brooklyn both before and after events at BAM. Courtesy of John MontgomeryCourtesy John of Vaudeville, Jazz theaters, the Strand. The lobby And when new places have opened – and Experimental Music Brooklyn Academy of Music, Interior/Exterior will be open from 10 am to 10 pm, like the vegan hotspot Maimonde of as accessible to the public as a park Brooklyn, which began serving early The Brooklyn Moon Café, a Caribbean In Brooklyn, it is increasingly a part In the early 20th century Fulton Street At the same time, the seeds of A couple of blocks to the east, Just as importantly, BAM has worked or a library. It will have a café, a in 2012 – they’ve been closely allied restaurant, has been in its Fulton of everyday life – a local affair, even – one of the main arteries of downtown Brooklyn’s current booming arts the 1980s saw another important to bring other arts organizations gallery featuring Brooklyn artists, to the arts, hosting DJs such as Afrika Street location in Fort Greene since if many of its artists and institutions Brooklyn and Fort Greene – was world were being sown in the development. In 1983 the Brooklyn into the neighborhood. In the past a local-access television studio Bambaataa, producing a comic book, 1995. On a recent Wednesday it had have international reputations. the borough’s main theater district. neighborhood. Academy of Music, an established few years, those efforts have paid off: visible behind a glass wall, and two and participating actively in local a pleasant buzz – some diners, a few Movie houses and vaudeville theaters force in the neighborhood since In 2001 Mark Morris Dance Project performance spaces. MoCADA, street fairs. Across the street from the The pioneers were jazz musicians. people there just for drinks, and an dominated the street, creating 1908, began its Next Wave Festival. opened a studio in the neighborhood too, plans to move in the next four Brooklyn Moon is Greenlight Books, In the 1970s Betty Carter, Cecil Downtown Brooklyn and Fort Greene overall feeling of friendly community. a local alternative to Broadway – Featuring such artists as Philip to train dancers ranging in age from to five years to a permanent home which opened in 2009 when many Taylor, and Lester Bowie bought have increasingly become home A museum-quality show featuring the Great White Way – in Manhattan. Glass, Laurie Anderson, and Steve pre-schoolers to adult professionals. in a building on Fulton Street. independent bookstores were folding brownstones on the neighborhood’s to office complexes, shopping malls, artists of African descent hangs on During the middle of the century the Reich, BAM began promoting In 2006 the high-rise 80 Hanson Arts “You can just see it accelerating,” under pressure from the chains, stately, tree-lined streets. Branford and most recently a sports the walls. The wallpaper over the bar neighborhood’s fortunes declined. the avant-garde on a grand scale. opened, with MoCADA in its said BRIC Executive Director Leslie the Internet, and the economy. Marsalis followed in the 1980s, and entertainment arena: Barclays is a 70s photograph – silkscreened Some theaters were converted into The festival attracted international ground-floor space. On the floors Schwartz. “There’s a critical mass of Many nights the store hosts major as did filmmaker Spike Lee. By 1984 Center, home to the Brooklyn Nets. Warhol-style – showing Julius Irving manufacturing buildings in the attention, and BAM became a above, tenants include organizations arts organizations. I think it’s going novelists on international book tours. when Lee filmed She’s Gotta Have It, Locals are excited to have their own of the New York Nets about to dunk 1950s, but many were demolished major cultural force in the borough. like Bang on a Can, an organization to be like Museum Mile in Manhattan.” This evening’s event was more Fort Greene had become a vibrant team to root for and are getting used over the head of Phil Jackson of the in the 1970s and 1980s. Wealthier In 1997 BAM Rose Cinemas opened, of new-music percussionists; BOMB local and demonstrated how much cosmopolitan neighborhood “This borough has more artists than to the new goliath in their community. New York Knicks. The picture is a residents began leaving the giving Brooklyn residents a chance Magazine, an arts publication driven the bookstore knits together the populated by successful African- any other borough in NYC, and that kind of sly wink: Dr. J’s old team has neighborhood; unemployment to see art films close to home. by interviews between artists and Change comes quickly in metropolitan neighborhood’s disparate elements. American artists and professionals. comes across in every aspect – bars, become the Brooklyn Nets. Brooklyn and urban violence grew. Since then, BAM has opened two their literary peers; and StoryCorps, New York, and Brooklyn has seen The host was Jessica Lanay Moore, In the 1990s, the spoken-word cafés, night clubs, houses of worship, may not dominate Manhattan like new spaces – the Harvey Theater an oral-history collective often a great deal of change over the last a curatorial fellow at the Museum poetry scene began in Fort Greene, books,” says Laurie Cumbo, executive Irving does Jackson, the image seems in 1999 and the Fisher in 2012. heard on NPR. In 2011 Roulette, couple of decades. The arts have been of Contemporary African Diasporic largely in the Brooklyn Moon. director of MoCADA. “In a world to say – but it might fly right over it a jazz and new-music transplant a catalyst in this unique intersection Arts (MoCADA), also located in the Writers Jamaica Kinkaid and Amiri where everything is becoming every once in a while. from Manhattan’s SoHo, revitalized of neighborhoods and are poised to neighborhood. Moore is a young, Baraka read in the café, and the homogenous, I think what makes one of the neighborhood’s old provide a solid base for future growth. Manhattan is still where top-tier recent arrival to Brooklyn. “I’ve only singer Erykah Badu gave her first Brooklyn so special is that the arts theaters, turning it into a stylish art is bought and sold – the site of been here six months,” she said, performance there. community continues to create performance and education space. the auction houses and blue-chip “but it seemed like the place to be.” unique and special opportunities galleries. Art is part of Manhattan’s and experiences in so many different international reputation. ways. And I think that’s why people come here.” Dallas, TX Percentage of Workers Number of Arts-Related Number of Arts-Related in Creative Occupation Non-Profit Organizations Businesses Target Neighborhood The Dallas Arts District, with parts 6.3%6.5% 3076 3024 Arts Non-Profits of Deep Ellum and Exposition Park Core Indicator Percentage of Number of Indicator Walk Score Businesses Independent Businesses Businesses (Walkability) 87%91% 489722 9791 Features

7 6

1 Courtesy of Flickr user ThunderKiss Photography Copyright Dallas Arts District

The Dallas Art District 1 The Winspear Opera House 2

3

8 Courtesy of Flickr user patti haskins Courtesy of Flickr user MrJeffReed

2 The Dallas Symphony Orchestra 3 Nasher Sculpture Center

4

5 Courtesy of Flickr user lumierefl

4 The Majestic Theater on Elm Courtesy of Flickr user The Geek Goddess Copyright Dallas Arts District Copyright Dallas Arts District Copyright Dallas Arts District

5 City Tavern 6 Jorge’s Tex-Mex Café 7 Dallas Black Dance Theatre 8 Dallas Museum of Art Dallas, TX Reported by Danielle Georgiou The Dallas Arts District, with parts of Deep Ellum and Exposition Park

Can you manufacture an arts like the ones in nearby Deep Ellum Living Next Door neighborhood from scratch? and Exposition Park, which percolate [H]undreds, if not The Dallas Arts District makes around the clock. In the near future to the Arts District a solid case that you can. Today these neighborhoods may grow While Dallas’ formal arts scene Just down Main Street are artist it is a neighborhood in transition, together into a cohesive community, thousands, of new housing has its faithful supporters, the city residencies 500X Gallery and buzzing with new arts activity connected by the arts. is also fostering an authentic CentralTrak: the UT Dallas Artists’ but lacking a community of residents and organic grassroots arts scene Residency. 500X is Texas’ oldest units are required to lend a few blocks east in Deep Ellum artist-run cooperative gallery. and Exposition Park. As Brentney Established in 1978 with the goal Hamilton wrote in the Dallas of providing a professional exhibition the district the urban Starting Observer in July 2012, “… the role venue free of outside influences from Scratch of the artist has from the dawn and dealer restrictions, it also density it needs to thrive. of creative expression been one gives artists a place to live: Rooms Starting in the early 1970s the City retracts to open the lobby and café of counterculture. And while we love are for rent in the back of the gallery. of Dallas hired a series of consultants onto the plaza. Klyde Warren that our named venues [such as CentralTrak, a block away, provides to determine how and where to house Park and City Performance Hall ATT PAC] bring in the type of work space for eight artists to live, work, its arts institutions. They decided that are attractive new features. one will find in textbooks, grassroots and exhibit, and also serves as the northeast corner of downtown Booker T. Washington High School collectives complete the cycle.” a community center for discourse would be a prime spot because of its about the arts. for the Performing and Visual Arts, Kettle Art, a not-for-profit gallery easy access from multiple freeways. housed in a 1922 building, provides space in Deep Ellum and a hotbed Deep Ellum has a smorgasbord The construction in 1984 of the Dallas a link to the past among all of Dallas art and music, is a good of choices when it comes to dinner Museum of Art (DMA) was the first the contemporary constructions. example. Since 2005 this brainchild or drinks. Twisted Root Burger project to be completed, and The school contributes to the artistic of local artists Frank Campagna and Company is a local favorite, the opening in 2009 of the AT&T landscape by staging numerous Kirk Hopper has brought life back as is Pepe’s & Mito’s Mexican Café Performing Arts Center (ATT PAC) in-house shows, providing the venue to the streets of Deep Ellum with for fajitas. D Magazine says that

Courtesy of Flickr user sherihall was the culmination of that vision. for the annual Dance for the Planet its unique take on what gallery Tom Colicchio’s Craft Steakhouse Santas on Main Street Today the Arts District is the meeting dance festival and installing work shows should be and its connection has what is reputed to be the best ground for the city’s visual and for AURORA—a public art series to established galleries such as cocktail in town, called, irreverently, performing arts institutions. It is that challenges emerging and Hopper’s namesake, Kirk Hopper the Grassy Knoll. Sushi, Vietnamese, the largest arts district in the nation, established artists from around Fine Arts, and the nearby Barry Chinese, French, and other cuisines This kind of energy spanning 68 acres and 19 contiguous the country to create site-specific Whistler Gallery. rub shoulders with the inevitable blocks alongside the Woodall installations of light, sound, BBQ and Mexican joints. Copyright Dallas Arts District and vibrancy was what Rodgers Freeway just southeast performance and projection art. Nighttime concert at The Nasher of the City Center. It draws more Other events that keep the Arts than 1.5 million ticketed visitors District active include the Dallas a year and has created more than Completing the city envisioned Museum of Art’s Late Nights and $128 million in economic impact. Jazz in the Park and movie nights the Picture Thirteen major arts organizations at the Nasher Sculpture Center. when the [arts] center call the district home, including DMA, In the nearby Arts District the food That could be coming soon. Both have attracted thousands ATT PAC, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, trucks and the restaurants at One In November 2012 the city released of visitors to the district. was created. Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Arts Plaza comprise the few dining the outline of a new plan to create Theater Center, Morton H. Meyerson As for food, One Arts Plaza offers options, and the only residential a collaborative initiative with five Symphony Center, Nasher Sculpture five upscale options for lunch and development is One Arts, with of the city’s major performing arts Center, Trammell Crow Center, dinner, and the highly popular food 61 luxury apartments. As Blair institutions, with the goal of making and the Trammell & Margaret Crow trucks have found a new home Kamin, architecture critic for the Arts District more of a 24-hour Collection of Asian Art. Many of at ATT PAC. “These trucks have The Chicago Tribune, put it in 2011, neighborhood. The involvement these museums and theaters are become one of downtown’s most “[H]undreds, if not thousands, of local arts leaders may be just housed in dramatic new buildings popular and successful attractions,” of new housing units are required the catalyst the district needs to designed by such famed architects says Doug Curtis, president and to lend the district the urban density leverage fully the impressive as I.M. Pei, Renzo Piano, Norman chief executive officer of ATTPAC. it needs to thrive.” investment the city has already made. Foster and Rem Koolhaas. The “This kind of energy and vibrancy Winspear Opera House is wrapped was what the city envisioned with a dramatic glass façade that when the center was created.” Los Angeles, CA Percentage of Workers Number of Arts-Related Number of Arts-Related in Creative Occupation Non-Profit Organizations Businesses Target Neighborhood Central Hollywood 16.7% 20 70 Arts Non-Profits

Core Indicator Percentage of Number of Indicator Walk Score Businesses Independent Businesses Businesses (Walkability) 85% 518 92 Features

5 Courtesy of Flickr user revrev Courtesy of Flickr user Jessica Watkins DeWinter 1 Amoeba Music 2 The Cinerama Dome at the Arclight

6 7 4 8 Courtesy of Flickr user jessica wilson Courtesy of Flickr user djjewelz 3 Crossroads of the World creative office space Hollywood Farmers Market 3 1 2 Courtesy of Flickr user SBC9 Courtesy of Flickr user brenbot Kremer Neil user flickr Courtesy of Flickr user cseeman Courtesy of LACE 4 Hollywood and Highland Complex 5 The Magic Castle 6 Hollywood Walk of Fame 7 Hollywood Boulevard 8 Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions Los Angeles, CA Reported by Tim Halbur Central Hollywood

Classics and There’s more talent in Newcomers Mix Restaurants are Hollywood than in any Since the neighborhood underwent Loteria Grill on Hollywood Boulevard starting to come out onto a redevelopment effort around is another recent addition, a branch the turn of the millennium new of a popular local restaurant started other city in the country. developments with street-level by chef Jimmy Shaw. Bon Appétit the sidewalk, food commercial space have quickly magazine named Shaw “L.A.’s Best filled with restaurants. The Hungry Mexican Chef” and this Hollywood Cat, an inventive seafood spot, is site gave him more cachet than his culture is starting to well respected among foodies. Farmer’s Market stand. “Loteria has Courtesy of Flickr user Wha’ppen Wood + Vine touts its “market- become a real anchor for us,” says become more visible. Musso and Frank Grill driven cuisine and classic cocktails.” Carol Stakenas, executive director And Musso and Frank’s, the of Los Angeles Contemporary In 1965 film composer Oscar Levant segregated, and it can be hard neighborhood’s oldest restaurant, Exhibitions (LACE), an artist-driven LACE moved from downtown The project’s website has an famously wrote, “Strip away the to get around. From here, we can offers a true taste of old Hollywood exhibition space in the neighborhood. Los Angeles to Hollywood in 1997 endorsement from Nyla Arsianian, phony tinsel of Hollywood and you’ll easily get downtown or to the Valley glamour. “It’s always been a challenge to give through a deal with the Community president of the Hollywood Arts find the real tinsel.” The tourist-filled or over to the Westside.” people who live in the hills a reason Redevelopment Agency. The idea was Council. “We need to have parking,” area around Sunset Boulevard near to come down here and visit. I think that LACE would be a cultural magnet Arsianian says. “We need to have Post-production studios such as Vine certainly contains more than its we’re finally starting to break down for the area. “There really is local restaurants. We need to have the Digital Jungle, Light Iron and share of glitz, with Grauman’s those barriers.” leadership around art and culture,” amenities for those people who do PrimeFocus Group are a stone’s Chinese Theatre, the Hollywood Walk says Stakenas. come to Hollywood to consume the throw in any direction. PrimeFocus of Fame and Madame Tussaud’s Wax culture of our community.” Stakenas has a steady stream of work from Over the last decade, the Los Angeles Museum all within a few blocks. agrees. “Restaurants are starting Bollywood, while Digital Jungle has Planning Department has targeted But the neighborhood also contains to come out onto the sidewalk, produced movie trailers for The Hollywood as a prime candidate for some hidden gold, with a thriving Courtesy of Flickr user Jessica Watkins DeWinter food culture is starting to become Bourne Identity and Texas Chainsaw growth. The neighborhood has two population of agents, scene builders, more visible.” She also notes that Massacre 2. In the shadow of the major subway stops and the concept music mavens and magicians The Slipper and the Rose at Arclight Cinemas a significant number of parking iconic Capitol Records building are of transit-oriented development making their homes in the shadow meters in the district are limited to music studios and small labels -- concentrating new growth around of the Hollywood sign. Walking with an hour or less, limiting visitors’ including Delicious Vinyl, Sunset transit stops to reduce car use -- is ability to enjoy a meal or see a movie. “The talent is here,” says Doug Miller, Sound, and Hilltop Records. And the Stars It’s always been a challenge widely embraced. There are a number “People want to spend time and not chief executive officer of Zen Arts, the OMEGA Cinema prop shop is right of historic multi-story apartment be rushed,” she says. an international booker of belly around the corner, able to supply The behemoth of the local scene “It’s a fun area, if a little touristy,” to give people who live in buildings already in place, but the dancers, trapeze artists and fire anything from a Wild West saloon is the Hollywood Highland Center, says area resident Chris Loos as urban fabric can still absorb a lot of At a time when very little is being dancers, by way of explaining why bar to a hospital gurney. a massive mall that looks like it he and his wife Natasha step out of new density. A newly proposed built anywhere in the Los Angeles he based his business in Hollywood. was designed by Cecil B. DeMille. the Arclight Cinemas Hollywood. the hills a reason to come Hollywood plan involves increasing metropolitan area, Hollywood has Just a couple blocks away the “There’s more talent in Hollywood The center has swallowed the historic “But the tourists mostly stick to the local height restriction from 20 a slate of projects lined up and ready Academy of Magical Arts at the Magic than in any other city in the country.” Chinese Theatres and also includes the Hollywood Boulevard area.” to 50 stories. to go. It finds itself in a sweet spot – Castle has been thriving since the down here and visit. I think Agencies like William Kerwin Agency, the Dolby Theatre (home of the The Arclight, a high-end, reserved- a creative culture in the heart of the 1960s. A members-only club for One of the most recent projects Envision Entertainment, Elaine Craig Oscars and a long-running Cirque du seating theater built around movie business, a booming tourist professional magicians, it is a mecca to be approved is Blvd 6200, a Voice Casting and DDO Artists Agency Soleil show). Swarming with tourists, the historic Cinerama Dome, is we’re finally starting to center that doesn’t intrude on locals, for international conjurors but also 535-unit mixed-use development all have their offices nearby. it also attracts some locals with a the anchor for this more resident- and a neighborhood with enough admits tourists if they stay in the on Hollywood between Argyle “We have an office in Santa Monica high-end bowling alley and shops. friendly section of Sunset. Just underused land to support growth. nearby Magic Castle Hotel. Magicians and El Centro avenues. as well, but this is really a central Just across the street, Disney has across the street is Amoeba Records, break down those barriers. including Justin Lefkovitch and Curtis hub,” explains Miller. “L.A. is very established a permanent presence on known for its encyclopedic collection Lovell make their homes nearby. the strip with the El Capitan theater, of CDs and vinyl and serving featuring premieres and re-releases the myriad composers, musicians of Disney favorites. And of course the and music editors who live nearby. Hollywood Walk of Fame attracts visitors hoping to pose with their favorite celebrities’ stars. Miami Beach, FL Percentage of Workers Number of Arts-Related Number of Arts-Related in Creative Occupation Non-Profit Organizations Businesses Target Neighborhood South Beach 4.1% 12 27 Arts Non-Profits

Core Indicator Percentage of Number of Indicator Walk Score Businesses Independent Businesses Businesses (Walkability) 89% 743 89 Features

5

2 7 3 Courtesy of John MontgomeryCourtesy John of MontgomeryCourtesy John of 1 6 1 Art Center 2 Books & Books 3

8 Photo courtesy of Flickr user MrJeffReed

4 Photo courtesy of Flickr user RickChung Courtesy of John MontgomeryCourtesy John of MontgomeryCourtesy John of MontgomeryCourtesy John of

Miami City Ballet 3 Beach Boardwalk 4 Wolfsonian Courtesy of John MontgomeryCourtesy John of MontgomeryCourtesy John of Courtesy of John MontgomeryCourtesy John of MontgomeryCourtesy John of 5 The Fillmore at Jackie Gleason Theater 6 Lincoln Road 7 New World Symphony 8 Española Way Miami Beach, FL Reported by Debbie Liebowitz South Beach

Art and Culture on the Beach

Today, Lincoln Road between “The artistic focal point of our area is Washington Avenue and Alton Road definitely The Wolfsonian, with its is a bustling pedestrian mall, a go-to extensive proprietary collections and destination for tourists and locals culturally stimulating new exhibits alike with shops, galleries, a movie monthly,” says Ray Schnitzer, owner theater and a Herzog & de Meuron- of the 11th Street Diner, a 24-hour-a- designed parking garage, often used day restaurant/bar across the street for high- end social and arts events from the museum. The diner recently Courtesy of John MontgomeryCourtesy John of MontgomeryCourtesy John of and as a backdrop for fashion shoots. celebrated its 20th anniversary, a rarity for businesses on the Española Way Jerry’s Famous Deli Head south on Washington Avenue somewhat neglected Washington past countless t-shirt stores, bodegas Avenue. Schnitzer says that over Indoors and pizzerias and you’ll find the World The arrival of the likes of Bruce In 1984, the City of Miami Beach used the years his clientele has shifted Erotic Museum of Art, with phalluses Webber and Gianni Versace attracted Community Development Block Grant and Outdoors from “predominantly gay and galore on exhibit; Miami Beach artists, a large gay population and a funds to create ArtCenter/South bohemian” to a “more eclectic lot of tourists – in short, people who Florida, which used vacant space It’s a balmy Saturday night in Miami Tonight’s outdoor crowd, which will Cinemathèque, an independent film mixture” of approximately 40 percent needed places to live, work, eat, drink along Lincoln Road to provide Beach. The sky has cleared and exceed 1,500, is watching a symphony house located in the former historic locals and 60 percent tourists from and cavort. “As the senior-citizen affordable workspace and community people of all ages and walks of life performance via broadcast from City Hall; and The Wolfsonian, around the world. population in the area started to exposure for visual artists. At the are setting up blankets and lawn the concert hall onto the building’s a modern art and design museum dwindle, young entrepreneurs time the area was desolate and chairs at SoundScape, a 2.5-acre 7,000-square-foot projection wall. that opened in 1995. discovered America’s Riviera,” said dilapidated, but today the organization public park at the intersection of “I prefer the outdoor experience Jeff Cohen, a real estate developer has expanded and is often credited 17th Street and Washington Avenue – because I get to socialize and see who owned the popular China Club as being a catalyst for the revitalization an area referred to by some as friends. I like that I can dress I prefer the outdoor MontgomeryCourtesy John of on Collins Avenue in the late 1980s of Lincoln Road and the surrounding “the new heart of South Beach.” comfortably, and there’s no velvet and early 1990s. Today the site neighborhood. Designed by Dutch architectural rope,” says Gayle Durham, a resident Bass Museum of Art houses Jerry’s Famous Deli. “Our city wouldn’t be where it is today firm West 8, the outdoor space of nearby West Avenue who frequents experience because The “Miami Vice” era brought national without its early commitment to adjoins the Frank Gehry-designed these Wallcasts. A variety of Pastel attention to Miami Beach and its culture and the arts,” says Lyle Stern, New World Center, home of the free concerts and films is offered I get to socialize and see Palaces high-end, wild lifestyle. “It was that president of Miami Beach-based New World Symphony, a musical throughout the year. influx of money and tourist dollars, real estate broker Koniver Stern teaching academy established in Brazilian natives Elizabeth Camargo Yes, Miami Beach has experienced The now-famous hotels were along with help from the Miami Beach Group. He brokered the New World 1987 by artistic director Michael friends. I like that and her husband Jose Lutsky prefer an arts evolution over the past saved in 1979 with a federal historic Development Corporation, that Symphony’s deal to sell the historic Tilson Thomas and the Arison family, to experience the symphony indoors. decade or so. But to understand the designation. provided funds to help restore South Lincoln Theater on Lincoln Road owners of Carnival Cruises and transformation fully, it’s necessary Ticket-holders since 1995, the Beach I can dress comfortably, According to Liebman, when the Beach and the surrounding neighbor- for $22 million. That money helped the Miami Heat. to look back to the mid-1970s and residents also attend many cultural city’s Planning Board chairman hoods,” said Dennis Scholl, vice the symphony to fund its new site. The symphony moved to its new events at the nearby Colony Theatre early 1980s in South Beach’s Art president for arts for the John S. and there’s no velvet rope. was shown the proposed color Tonight at the New World Center state-of-the-art facility in 2011, on Lincoln Road. “It’s great to be able Deco District, between 6th Street and James L. Knight Foundation. palette for the historic hotels, he campus and SoundScape Park, part of a $160 million complex which to go for a walk or out to eat after and 23rd Street. “The passion of cultural creatives commented, “Are you crazy? It looks the concert has ended and a light rain includes SoundScape and, as the show,” says Camargo, an architect. and art lovers for the design and “The city’s leadership was totally like houses of prostitution.” Those is falling. The outdoor patrons are indicator of the degree to which architectural sensibility of the Art Art Basel reluctant to designate Ocean Drive jewel-toned hotels, combined with packing up their belongings as it design has taken center stage here, Deco district also played an important Builds Cred and Collins Avenue as historic year-round good weather, cheap begins to pour. And yet no one seems a Gehry-designed parking garage. role in the restoration of the place districts. They wanted to demolish hotel rooms and financial incentives to mind. It’s all part of living I call home, South Beach.” North of Lincoln Road is the Fillmore Miami Beach Regional Library everything and build convention for redevelopment including a in this arts paradise, they say. Miami Beach, formerly the Jackie and the Miami City Ballet. Coming hotels,” recalls Nancy Liebman, moratorium on new building in the Gleason Theater, and the aging Miami soon: a parking garage by famed a former executive director of area, made South Beach attractive Beach Convention Center, home of Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid. the Miami Design Preservation to high-fashion photographers, the highly prestigious Art Basel, League and former Miami Beach producers, designers and models. “Art Basel was the catalyst for which is celebrating its 11th year in commissioner. expanding the arts into the Collins Miami Beach. A few blocks to the Park area,” says Ray Breslin, north in the Collins Park area is the president of the Collins Park Miami Beach Holocaust Memorial, Neighborhood Association. “As the newly renovated Miami Beach a result, property values have Botanical Garden, the newly skyrocketed, and Collins Park is expanded Bass Art Museum, the new catapulting into a major destination.” Milwaukee, WI Percentage of Workers Number of Arts-Related Number of Arts-Related in Creative Occupation Non-Profit Organizations Businesses Target Neighborhood East Town and a portion 5.7% 28 21 Arts Non-Profits of the Lower East Side Core Indicator Percentage of Number of Indicator Walk Score Businesses Independent Businesses Businesses (Walkability) 86% 377 91 Features Courtesy of Flickr user magrolino user Courtesy Flickr of Courtesy of Kenya Evans

1 Alterra Coffee in East Town 2 Cubanitas Restaurant

3 Courtesy of Flickr user Julia Taylor Courtesy of Flickr user eytonz 6 3 Water Street Brewery Bastille Days celebration

5

4

2 1

7 Courtesy of Kenya Evans Courtesy of Flickr user compujeramey Courtesy of Flickr user Kenya Evans Courtesy of Flickr user random letters 4 Milwaukee Art Museum 5 Pabst Theatre 6 Elsa’s On the Park 7 William F. O’Donnell Park Milwaukee, WI Reported by Kenya Evans East Town and a portion of the Lower East Side

The Epicenter for Milwaukee’s Crown Jewel, the Performing Arts Nestled in East Town

“We hear over and over that one of the “The quality and quantity of the arts “We look at ourselves as the crazy Michael Cudahy, a businessman, leading factors that cause people in and around East Town cannot be weird uncle of the arts community,” philanthropist and major supporter of to move or stay downtown is the arts,” found anywhere else in the state of says Andrew Nelson, public relations the arts, bought the Pabst for $1 from says Dan Casanova, senior economic Wisconsin, giving the neighborhood manager of the Pabst Theater. the City of Milwaukee in 2002. It took development specialist at the City of a great competitive advantage,” says The Pabst hosts 450 shows a year, Cudahy and the management team five Milwaukee. The Marcus Performing Casanova. 20 percent of the local bringing in acts as diverse as Bill years and more than $9 million before Arts Center is certainly one of the theater-going audience comes from Cosby, Rachel Maddow and Neil finding their niche. Now the Pabst, attractors. “We are the largest draw out of town, primarily from northern Young, and it holds the U.S. record built in 1895 as a German-language Courtesy of Flickr user eytonz Courtesy of Flickr user jacdupree for people coming to downtown Illinois, according to Casanova. for the longest continuously-running theater, is considered a music hub Milwaukee for the performing arts, production of A Christmas Carol. rivaling those in big cities for top-tier Milwaukee Public Market Built in 1969, the center has spurred TV on the Radio at the Pabst Theater bringing in 700,000 people a year,” “A big thing that’s trending is our acts. Cudahy also bought the Riverside other arts groups to move downtown says Paul Mathews, its chief executive comedy scene,” Nelson adds. Theater in 2009 and took over Turner Pulse and has generated restaurant Changes, Condos officer. The center has three “Louis CK filmed his special here, and Hall Ballroom just two years after that. business up and down N. Water of the City performance spaces and an outdoor and Cool Kids it won an Academy Award.” All three are historic landmarks. Street, one of the area’s main pavilion, and hosts touring companies corridors. “What we’ve seen in the Neon signs for the Bad Genie bar Bursting at the seams with work, and major local art groups including Beginning in the late 1980s the Milwaukee. Art Milwaukee often last 10 to 15 years is that people are and the Water Street Brewery glow play and downtown living options, the Milwaukee Ballet, Florentine retreat to suburban living started to works in tandem with two other moving back to downtown,” says against the twilight sky of Milwaukee East Town begins just east of the Opera, Milwaukee Symphony reverse itself. Downtown Milwau- creative agencies, MiKE (Innovation We hear over and over Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra on a Friday night as Kirk Thode, a Milwaukee River on N. Water Street, Orchestra, First Stage Children’s kee’s Historic Third Ward, adjacent in Milwaukee) and NEWaukee, both executive director Mark Niehaus. native Illinoisan, and his 30-some- where three performance power- Theater and Hansberry-Sands to East Town, began renovating old founded with the mission to improve “The increase is definitely driven that one of the leading thing friends stroll from his condo houses stand in a row. The neighbor- Theater, the city’s 3-year-old buildings into lofts, and soon the city by making it a cool place by new condos and incredible new to the performing arts center for hood also boasts several art galleries African-American theater company. construction and renovation for to live. MiKE works with city officials a show. Next they’ll head to the including the David Barnett Gallery, restaurants.” condos began in East Town. to spark business innovation by factors that cause Rumpus Room for dinner, then established in 1966 and representing fostering collaborations and “The vibrancy of the Third Ward the Belmont for drinks, and finally more than 600 artists. The Milwaukee entrepreneurial efforts. NEWaukee affects East Town,” says Hatch, who maybe a late night bite at Elsa’s Film Festival makes its home in targets young professionals for people to move or stay moved to East Town with her husband on the Park. “East Town is the heart East Town and has seen attendance outings that offer a new look at to downsize from their large family of the city,” says Thode. “It’s grow 40 percent from 2011, to 50,000 Milwaukee. “In two years, we’ve gone The quality and quantity home. “An enormous influx of people downtown is the arts. an attractive, vibrant area, people in 2012. The neighborhood’s from zero to 20,000 subscribers – all in their 30s is moving here; people and a walkable community.” northern border, E. Ogden Avenue, by word of mouth,” says Fojut about are biking more, and the use of public City of Festivals is a trailing potpourri of duplexes, Art Milwaukee. “We’ve been building Saturday morning, Lisa Hatch of the arts in and around transportation has increased.” condos and townhomes leading a city-wide rebranding campaign.” finishes with downward-dog and During the summer Milwaukee hosts Thode and Hatch wouldn’t mind to a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, East Town wasn’t always so youthful. mountain yoga poses beneath The area’s swelling popularity a packed calendar of outdoor events seeing more retail business develop the eastern border. Below the bluff East Town cannot be found Milwaukee is recovering from, and the elegant wings of the Milwaukee has left few properties available for just steps away from East Town, in East Town. Nonetheless, thanks to and running parallel to the lakefront still fighting, a significant brain drain. Art Museum’s grand hall, overlooking residential growth. “As a result, including the Milwaukee Art Museum’s its vibrant arts community East Town is N. Lincoln Memorial Drive. Tucked “We looked at how Milwaukee is Lake Michigan. She’s ready for anywhere else in the state nearby neighborhoods like Westown, Lakefront Festival of the Arts and still makes the list for empty nesters between the drive and the lakefront losing human capital, and we tried a long walk with her husband and the Third Ward, Brady Street and the Summerfest, the world’s largest and young professionals looking for are the War Memorial Center, to change the lack of a cool factor,” popping in and out of art galleries Beerline all saw substantial growth outdoor music festival. There is a place to call home. “East Town has the Milwaukee Art Museum with its of Wisconsin, giving says Jeremy Fojut, president of Art before preparing for a night out in the last decade,” adds Casanova. enough going on all year that the city always been the stronghold of sculptural, postmodern 217-foot Milwaukee, a networking group that with neighbors. has picked up the nickname “City downtown housing and has been “wings” atop a pavilion designed by the neighborhood a great showcases artists of every medium of Festivals.” East Town boasts two a stable neighborhood for decades,” Santiago Calatrava, and Discovery at different locations in downtown of the city’s most diverse festivals: Casanova notes. “Since the arts World Museum. East Town’s Bastille Days, started in 1982, and Jazz never left downtown, they have southern perimeter gives way to competitive advantage. in the Park, “which is almost too big for been a crucial driving force in the Highway 794 and the Historic Third its own space,” says Niehaus. Every revitalization of downtown.” Ward, a neighboring arts community, Thursday between June and September along E. Clybourn Street. Jazz in the Park draws an average of 8,000 people to Cathedral Square Park in the heart of East Town, where they prop up their lawn chairs or lay out their blankets to eat, drink and listen to jazz, funk, reggae or blues. New York, NY Percentage of Workers Number of Arts-Related Number of Arts-Related in Creative Occupation Non-Profit Organizations Businesses Target Neighborhood Manhattan Valley 4.2% 136 44 Arts Non-Profits

Core Indicator Percentage of Number of Indicator Walk Score Businesses Independent Businesses Businesses (Walkability) 94% 650 98 Features

1

10

9 Courtesy of John MontgomeryCourtesy John of Courtesy of Flickr user Ed Gaillard1

1 Los Muchachos de Santana Barber Shop 2 Flower Market 6 8

3

2 4 7

5 Courtesy of John MontgomeryCourtesy John of Courtesy of Flickr user joseph a 3 La Perla Garden 4 The New York Cancer Hospital Courtesy of John MontgomeryCourtesy John of MontgomeryCourtesy John of

5 Houseware & Hardware 6 Silver Moon Bakery Courtesy of John MontgomeryCourtesy John of MontgomeryCourtesy John of Courtesy of John MontgomeryCourtesy John of MontgomeryCourtesy John of

7 Metro Diner 8 La Toulousaine 9 Smoke 10 Hiraldo’s School of Karate-Do New York, NY Reported by David Vreeland Manhattan Valley

“We encourage them to think about Decades ago, budget-conscious We survive because what they perceive through the diners armed with nickels came here different senses on their block,” to extract chicken pot pies and other Ishmael explains. “What they see, home-style lunches and dinners we are New York. what they hear, what they smell, and from tiny glass windows arranged then also what they would love to see like boxes in a jewelry chest. which isn’t currently there. We ask Today the building’s façade, draped A Unique them to sing the music to us, in with colorful terra cotta, is warm the moment; we write it down, and Neighborhood and inviting. Inside, El Taller’s founder they’re able to leave with a copy and director, Bernardo Palumbo, A conversation with Putkonen leads Architectural traces of that world of their song. offers his hand in a gesture of

naturally to questions about the remain in the Manhattan Avenue MontgomeryCourtesy John of We’ve discovered that everybody friendship. Manhattan Valley neighborhood, Historic District, two blocks of has a kind of haunted music within which occupies a distinctive place picturesque row houses combining “It’s nice for people to come by, so Street Market them: one time, two teen-age girls in the urban landscape of New York. Gothic and Romanesque elements, they can experience what we’re came up on their bikes and made Known in its early years as and in the former New York Cancer about,” he says as the wooden floor a song, together.” Bloomingdale, this flag-shaped area Hospital, a remarkable aggregation in El Taller’s large sunlit studio It’s nice for people begins along the northwestern edge of brick and brownstone turrets now Some years ago when Vita and rumbles with the movement of salsa of Central Park and extends west landmarked and converted into Ishmael decided to organize a dancers. A poetic presence with toward the Hudson River, bounded residences. Today, Manhattan Valley’s performance that would reflect and mane-like hair, Palumbo composed to come by, so they by W. 96th Street W. 110th Street. uniqueness is evident in the variety embrace the many nationalities hits in his native Argentina before Columbia University lies to the of its buildings – 1890s walk-up thriving within the community, they moving to New York in 1969. Ten can experience immediate north above W. 110th tenements sit alongside “tower in the found their way to El Taller – The years later he opened El Taller in Street, and the expensive Upper West park” renewal projects from the Workshop. This Latin-American arts Chelsea, later moved it to the East Side to the south; but Manhattan 1950s – and, most valuably, its people. collective, gallery, and music space Village, and, finally, in 1996, brought what we’re about. Valley, while drawing on the occupies the top floor of another it to Manhattan Valley – a migration

Courtesy of John MontgomeryCourtesy John of “This area is incredible,” enthuses resources and strengths of both Manhattan Valley landmark, a former that, he jokes, “parallels the history Peter Arndsten, head of the neighborhoods, is regarded by Horn & Hardart Automat. of gentrification in Manhattan.” La Perla Garden Columbus-Amsterdam Business residents as being part of neither. Improvement District. “You’ve got a Amsterdam Avenue between “It doesn’t matter whether you’re a “It feels so different from what diversity of ages, ethnic backgrounds, Looking to W. 108th and 109th streets is lined high school student or law professor people call the Upper West Side,” and languages; plus, everything Part of it is just that on its eastern side with the types at Columbia,” asserts Outi Putkonen, observes Ishmael Wallace, a pianist from the superintendents and the Future of homegrown businesses that co-owner of Mugi, the pottery studio, and neighborhood resident who porters who make the buildings Given the unidirectional nature of But it’s exactly this struggle that has characterize Manhattan Valley and which has been operating since 1983. founded the classical music work to firemen and policemen, we are further from Manhattan development, in which shaped all emerging neighborhoods render it different from other more “Once you are here in this setting, ensemble Orfeo Duo with his sister, and musicians and artists.” real estate prices climb as livable in the city, including Manhattan Valley. corporatized pockets of the West it all gets leveled off.” Putkonen violinist Vita Wallace. “Part of it Each spring Arndsten’s organization space grows scarce, Palumbo admits Side. Strolling south to north along believes Mugi represents the best is just that we are further from the the centers of power. “We survive,” he says, “because takes over a section of Amsterdam to uncertainty about the future. the avenue, visitors will find a karate Manhattan Valley has to offer: centers of power. And this has we are New York.” Avenue to host Manhattan Valley El Taller has struggled financially academy; a combined hair salon, a place where diverse residents always been true, since the Family Days, street celebrations And this has always been from time to time, and supports itself tailor, and dry cleaner; a hardware can interact and celebrate their beginning of the 20th century. involving local businesses such as in part with language instruction. store with old wooden doors; a large identity as New Yorkers. Art, and the Manhattan Valley had the advantage, Mugi Pottery and La Toulousaine, meat market; the offices of the local creative excitement that goes along culturally, of being a little bit true, since the beginning a nearby French bakery. Ishmael Business Improvement District; a with it, is the force that has brought marginal but not very marginal.” and Vita Wallace of Orfeo Duo also pottery studio; and a restaurant and them together. This sense of being apart, slightly participate in Family Days, installing of the 20th century. tavern named the Lion’s Head. On “I think the greatest contribution outside the centers of commerce, a booth where they help local a weekend afternoon the clean, we give to the neighborhood,” she academia, and officialdom, has residents write their own songs. five-story tenements present an reflects amid the colorful glazed always characterized Manhattan Manhattan Valley image of urban solidity punctuated bowls and student-made vases that Valley. By the last decades of the 1 by splashy awnings at street level. fill Mugi’s shelves, “is that we are 9th century, following the Passers-by greet one another and fill had the advantage, a resource for people to come development of elevated trains the neighborhood with a verve and and participate, hands-on. It really that accompanied the city’s spontaneity that can only take place goes across all different layers northward expansion, the area had culturally, of being in healthy communities. of the socio-demographics here.” become a middle-class enclave populated by German and Irish a little bit marginal

immigrants. MontgomeryCourtesy John of but not very marginal. Manhattan Valley Historic District Oakland, CA Percentage of Workers Number of Arts-Related Number of Arts-Related in Creative Occupation Non-Profit Organizations Businesses Target Neighborhood Downtown, including Chinatown, 6.0% 41 28 Arts Non-Profits Old Oakland and Jack London Square Core Indicator Percentage of Number of Indicator Walk Score Businesses Independent Businesses Businesses (Walkability) 94% 617 96 Features

4

3 Courtesy of Flickr user deb roby

2 Chinatown Market

2 7

1 6 Courtesy of Caffe 817 Photo courtesy of Flickr user xeni

1 Caffe 817 3 Fire Arts Festival

5 Courtesy of Flickr user amiciara user Courtesy Flickr of Courtesy of Flickr user smoothie flickr user citymaus user flickr scatterbrainedCourtesy permanently user Flickr of 4 Fox Theatre 5 Jack London Square 6 The Trappist 7 Spices 3 Oakland, CA Reported by Tim Halbur Downtown, including Chinatown, Old Oakland and Jack London Square

Reviving The Next When we started, Old Oakland Wave there was a 35-percent Within a half-mile radius of the storefronts, which become “Oakland at the turn of the millennium Recent attendance figures estimate epicenter of arts activity in the city showcases for their work. “When looked very different from the city that 20,000 people are coming out are four distinct neighborhoods – we started, there was a 35-percent that was ranked as one of the top each First Friday night to enjoy art at vacancy rate and not Jack London, Chinatown, downtown, vacancy rate and not a lot of places to go in 2012 by the New York venues like Shadravan’s Art Gallery, and Old Oakland. In the late 1990s lingering, so the perception was that Times,” Anna Carey wrote recently Crown Royal and SLATE Old Oakland would have seemed Oakland was still deserted and in The Daily Californian. “Since then, Contemporary, while grabbing a bite a lot of lingering, like the least likely site for revival, unsafe. Today that’s really changed,” the sparse neighborhoods of desolate at Luka’s Taproom and Lounge or bordered by housing projects, the said Filley. The project has filled buildings and fast-food restaurants even the still-active Stork Club. Courtesy of Flickr user flawed artist freeway and the jail. But a handful of eight spaces in Old Oakland with have been replaced by art galleries, so the perception was “Any city would kill to get the attention dedicated people of vision like Sarah galleries and shops, and local restaurants and new businesses.” Art classes at The Crucible and excitement happening at Art Filley revitalized it through sheer developers are expressing interest What is responsible for this new turn Murmur,” says Sarah Filley. “It’s a that Oakland was perseverance. “Oakland didn’t have in working with popuphood. Forging in Oakland’s fortunes? Much of the really organic expression of the retail to fill in that eco-system Dominguez’s restaurant, Tamarindo credit can go to Oakland Art Murmur, the people who live there, a very an Identity that you need for a sustainable city,” still deserted and Antojeria Mexicana, serves Mexican a First Friday art walk that started in bottom-up energy.” said Filley, “but we had such a great small plates, while nearby tavern 2005 when a small handful of galleries A number of factors helped rouse In 2003 as the dot-com boom was creative base. So we worked to So has Oakland’s time finally come? The Trappist has the best selection in Uptown to the north started Oakland from the doldrums, pushing artists out of San Francisco reframe the impact.” The city’s economic challenges unsafe. Today of Belgian beer in the Bay. Caffe 817 promoting a monthly gathering. including the election as mayor in and into cheaper space across the remain: In some census tracts in “We” turns out to be Filley and her is the downtowner’s staple for a 1999 of current California Gov. Jerry water, a unique organization called “As it turns out, the same people who and around downtown more than 35 friend and restaurateur Alfonso business lunch, to be consumed that’s really changed. Brown. Brown took it as his mission The Crucible opened its new facility go to the galleries also want to eat percent of residents live in poverty. Dominguez, who together launched a sitting outside under the oak trees. to bring 10,000 new residents to just west of downtown. Established and drink, so it has encouraged more But with a strong underpinning in project called popuphood. Local and For those in a hurry, Ratto’s downtown, and streamlined the by a handful of artists working on restaurants and bars to open,” says the arts, a thriving art walk and a hot independent small businesses apply International Market and Deli will development process to encourage large metal sculptures, The Crucible Danielle Fox, director of Art Murmur. restaurant and bar scene, Oakland on popuphood’s website to activate make a prosciutto panini to go. the construction of new condo quickly attracted a unique cyberpunk/ “Having more people out and more is experiencing a new energy that previously vacant or new commercial buildings throughout the city and Burning Man-related crowd eager restaurants and bars has encouraged hasn’t been seen since the 1940s. particularly in Jack London Square, to express itself through welding, more galleries to open, and so the A True the historic waterfront area. While forging and a yearly Fire Arts Festival. cycle continues.” Brown’s plan fell short of its goal, “The incredible success of Burning Underdog the final tally credits him with 3,549 Chinatown Man and the Black Rock Foundation new housing units. Long the neglected stepsister Fifteen years ago this recognition brought a lot of new funding for large While the success of downtown Of course having tasty restaurants of San Francisco, Oakland’s time would have been unthinkable. Two years before Brown took office public art to the Bay Area,” said has ebbed and flowed, Chinatown also helps keep people coming Oakland at the turn of the may finally have come. The New York Downtown Oakland and the a local institution called Yoshi’s, Sarah Filley, a local arts leader. has remained a constant. Less in the to Chinatown. Legendary Palace on Times ranked the city fifth in its list surrounding area were struggling to combining sushi and top-shelf jazz “A lot of the funding went to projects spotlight than San Francisco’s famous Franklin is the go-to spot for dim of the 45 Places To Go in 2012. stay afloat, and vacancies and neglect acts, had been convinced to meant for the Burning Man Festival, Chinatown, Oakland’s neighborhood sum. Just down the block is the best millennium looked very And that’s not just in the United were the norm. An urban renewal relocate to Jack London Square. but it established a funding structure feels more laid back. It has also Vietnamese banh mi in the Bay Area, States, but in the world, behind plan implemented in the late 1950s The new site became the premier that supports local work as well. resisted much of the expansion taking squeezed between tiny Chinese only Panama, Helsinki, Myanmar had had a disastrous effect on the jazz venue on the West Coast and That laid the groundwork for the place nearby, continuing as a primarily markets. The younger, hipper different from the city that and London. The Times singled city, cutting off downtown from the an early anchor for Oakland’s industrial arts movement and a pretty Asian enclave with its own growing residents can be found at Spices 3, out the restored art-deco Fox waterfront and giving prominent revitalization as local businesses robust culture of sharing knowledge arts and cultural programs. Locals which offers a Taiwanese take on was ranked as one of Theatre as a local star and bubbled place to Brutalist structures housing struggled to get a foothold. In 1999 and skills like glassmaking, welding, like Sherlyn Chew, leader of the Szechuan food that is spicier than with excitement about hot new chefs the county jail and a postal facility. local BBQ staple Everett & Jones and robotics.” California Chinese Orchestra, say that the average Westerner has ever setting up shop in downtown Oakland. A small dive called The Stork Club opened a sit-down establishment local restaurants and businesses are tasted, with dishes like Numbing the top places to go in 2012 drew a dedicated few across the Bay a few blocks away, serving a mean definitely feeling the effect on their Spicy Cucumber and Salt & Pepper for indie bands, but at the time it plate of hot links and providing bottom lines of the neighborhood’s Stinky Tofu. by the New York Times. was a lone pioneer in an otherwise a neighborhood hangout for the First Friday art walk. “And we’ve Chinatown also has its own Jerry depressed landscape. “It was like the city’s African-American community. seen more cultural sharing – there’s Brown-era condo building, the Old West out here, like a ghost town even a star African-American singer 157-unit Eight Orchids. The units at night,” says Jeff Hull, a local artist. now at the Cantonese Opera House on sold at auction after the housing Webster,” she says. crash of 2008, but the building stands as a reminder of Brown’s goal of more people downtown. Philadelphia, PA Percentage of Workers Number of Arts-Related Number of Arts-Related in Creative Occupation Non-Profit Organizations Businesses Target Neighborhood Old City 18.1% 58 45 Arts Non-Profits

Core Indicator Percentage of Number of Indicator Walk Score Businesses Independent Businesses Businesses (Walkability) 93% 994 97 Features

5 Courtesy visitphilly.com of 1 1 The African American Museum in Philadelphia

3 4 2 7

8

6 courtesy of J. Fusco for GPTMC Courtesy of Arden Theatre 2 Fork 3 Arden Theatre Courtesy visitphilly.com of Courtesy of M. Kennedy for GPTMC

Old City 4 Old City Coffee Courtesy Coletta Carol of Courtesy visitphilly.com of Courtesy of Flickr user andertho Courtesy visitphilly.com of 5 Race Street Pier 6 Walnut Street Theatre 7 The Continental Restaurant and Martini Bar 8 The Philadelphia Bank Building Philadelphia, PA Reported by JoAnn Greco Old City

An Industrial I chose Old City 15 years Past ago because of the eclectic The stately cast-iron factory buildings graphic, photography, and that Nolen so loves and the hidden architecture studios places the brick-lined alleys behind them provide neighborhood at an exciting nexus mix of galleries, loft living testimony to an industrial past of technology, design, and the arts. that resonates with today’s creatives. “I chose Old City 15 years ago because But along N. 2nd and N. 3rd Streets of the eclectic mix of galleries, loft space and its artsy feel. this mix of old and new remains space and its artsy feel,” says Ellen subtle. Old City doesn’t proclaim Yin, owner of Fork, one of the area’s Courtesy visitphilly.com of its hipness, but waits for it to be early destination restaurants. “Since discovered. At the tiny-batch roaster then, it’s become home to independent 2nd Street Old City Coffee, the paint-spattered fashion retailers, design firms, and muralist chatting with the architect high-tech companies — but the things A Tech Future? holding rolled-up drawings knows that initially drew me are still here.” this, and so does the web designer Ian Cross, who came to Old City in 1992 The visitors are a constant. working at his iPad at the next table. Art has been a constant, agrees after relocating from his native Britain, The neighborhood business district Christine Pfister, a Swiss immigrant Still, the presence of two dozen art recognized the neighborhood’s likes to point out that Old City is whose Pentimenti Gallery opened in galleries, several performing arts qualities right away. “The architecture a stone’s throw from Independence 1992. “We were the seventh gallery organizations — including the Arden, and the scale appealed to me,” he says. National Historic Park, which hosted in the neighborhood,” she remembers. the Painted Bride Art Center “There were already a few music 3.7 million tourists in 2011. Thousands “A bunch more came along very soon, (founded in 1969 as a lonely outpost venues and galleries, but the vibe and of them spill into Old City to walk and the Old City Art Association for avant-garde dance and music), reputation were more gritty, more raw. dutifully down Elfreth’s Alley, the was formed. The idea of the area the Live Arts Festival & Philly Fringe There was still plenty of light industry.” nation’s oldest continually inhabited Courtesy of Philly Fringe

Courtesy of Robert Etcheverry, 2011 becoming something similar to SoHo – and some 75 internet, branding, In 1995 he and a partner established street, solemnly tossing pennies really began to have a domino effect.” Live Arts Festival/Philly Fringe Feastival on the waterfront an internet marketing agency, I-SITE, onto Benjamin Franklin’s grave. moving into a series of Old City The area could be described as buildings as the company grew. When Terrence Nolen and his Former Philadelphia Mayor and “hipstoric,” a blend apparent in the An Artistic The district’s warehouse stock was co-founders began searching for Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell new Hotel Monaco – a complete We’ve been looking to tailor-made for such adaptive reuse, a permanent home for Philadelphia’s routinely cites the theater as Presence gutting and renovation of a he notes. However, he sees a downside Arden Theatre Company, they found a catalyst in rejuvenating Old City deteriorating 1907 office building That stirring was cemented by the With First Friday’s throngs and as well as an upside to that. “Because themselves returning again and again from a quiet neighborhood of empty expand for years but – and in the Christ Church inauguration of First Friday, a program Old City’s strengthened core of arts we didn’t have empty lots — just empty to the neighborhood of Old City. warehouses and a handful of Neighborhood House, a fourth-floor widely credited with providing much- offerings have come many more buildings — we didn’t benefit from “We kept hearing it was up and galleries into a thriving arts district. theater space in a 100-year-old needed life to a long-unrealized restaurants, including restaurants some of the imaginative contemporary coming,” Nolen recalls, “and we loved Next year, the Arden begins most of the Old City outbuilding of historic Christ Church. promise. Some 20 years later the from Iron Chef Jose Garces and architecture you see in emerging its proximity to public transportation a $6 million renovation of monthly gallery crawls are a reliable theatrical restaurateur Stephen Starr. neighborhoods like Northern Liberties A new grant from ArtPlace will help and to the historic district.” a neighboring building to house buildings have already institution that fills the streets with More lofts have been converted or Fishtown,” he says. “I kind of Live Arts Festival & Philly Fringe open another auditorium, rehearsal That was 17 years ago. Today, more browsers, buyers, and revelers and more vintage clothing boutiques miss that.” its headquarters in a long-abandoned spaces and classrooms. than 100,000 theatergoers each year 1903 fire pumping station that sits been adapted for reuse. seduced by the festival atmosphere and funky home furnishings outlets As a long-time resident and walk through the doors of the former “We’ve been looking to expand for across the street from the recently and free wine. “I come here at least have appeared. business owner, Cross has been ship parts factory that now houses years,” says Nolen, “but most once a month, and it’s usually for unveiled Race Street Pier Park. There New businesses like Art in the a key booster for the area’s shift into two black-box theaters. of the Old City buildings have The transformation of First Friday,” says Arielle Wernick, 25, another grant recipient, Numen/ Age of Mechanical Reproduction, a tech center. Lately he’s noticed already been adapted for reuse. as she and two of her friends settle For Use, a Croatian-Austrian design a highly-curated, vaguely a critical mass. “What’s exciting The transformation of the in for a performance of the Arden’s collective, will create a large-scale the neighborhood into a Steampunk-ish retailer accented for me as I walk the two blocks from neighborhood into a destination production of Next to Normal. interactive installation. “The with racks of Warby Parker my apartment to my office is to see is absolutely remarkable.” connections and synergies here seem Although she lives closer to the bars all these bikes coming in. People eyeglasses and shelves of Monocle endless,” says Arden Theatre’s Nolen, destination is absolutely of South Street that attract a younger are coming from other areas to magazines, continue to raise the noting that last year the Arden began crowd, Wernick says Old City is “more work here,” he observes. “There’s area’s hip quotient. “Once art commissioning short performance of a going-out place.” real mixed use, a population of remarkable. was established as a key driver,” pieces for First Friday. “It’s great workers and residents and visitors.” says Pfister, “we added density to be part of that vitality — and to fuel and diversity to the neighborhood.” new artists and new perspectives.” Portland, OR Percentage of Workers Number of Arts-Related Number of Arts-Related in Creative Occupation Non-Profit Organizations Businesses Target Neighborhood The Pearl District and 9.6% 30 39 Arts Non-Profits a portion of Downtown Core Indicator Percentage of Number of Indicator Walk Score Businesses Independent Businesses Businesses (Walkability) 94% 822 97 Features

1 Courtesy of Flickr user LikeWhere1 Courtesy of Flickr user AdrianAdel1

1 Pearl District 2 Roseland Theater 7 8

6 Courtesy of Flickr user AdrianAdel1 Courtesy of Flickr user MrJeffReed 3 Food Carts in Pioneer Courthouse Square Downtown Streetcar

2

4

5 Courtesy of Flickr user RickChung Courtesy of Flickr user RickChung 3 4 Powell’s Books 5 Stumptown Coffee Photo by Carol Coletta Carol by Photo Courtesy Lightpattern user Flickr Productions of Courtesy of Portland Center Stage Courtesy of Pacific NW. College of the Arts Affordable Housing in The Pearl 6 Portland Center Stage, Lobby 7 Pacific Northwest College of the Arts 8 Jamison Square Portland, OR Reported by Anne Grey The Pearl District and a portion of Downtown

Taking “The Pearl” from Grit to Polish On Jamison Square, you “Before the renewal effort began, this Stage, and the abandoned Fuller have a million-dollar was a very different landscape,” Paint Company building on N.W. explains Patty Gardner, a longtime 13th Avenue was refurbished into resident and The Pearl District Wieden + Kennedy’s new penthouse and low-income Neighborhood Association’s current headquarters, a sleek five-story chairwoman of planning and split-level with a spacious multi-use transportation. The district, a vital auditorium. Despite modernization, housing on the same block, hub during the golden age of railroads, both buildings retained enough Courtesy of Flickr user p medved Courtesy of Flickr user cafe mama gradually lost steam after the of their original features to qualify and it all works. The Iconic Made in Oregon Sign interstate highway boom of the 1950s. for the National Register of Historic The Hawthorne Bridge Bike Path By Gardner’s childhood it had been Places, a designation district On The Scene: reduced to dirty, empty spans of dying planners have continued to Making Room railyard. “There were train tracks that encourage property owners Portland’s “Art Walk” went all the way to Burnside, and to pursue wherever possible. for a Mix of Incomes every night trains would deliver grain By the mid-2000s the Pearl had It’s a Thursday evening in October What attracted the Rhode Island to the brewery. This was a rawer, Even with the comfortable median “These units are designed to be become much more attractive both in Portland. The weather is mild, School of Design graduate to pursue more industrial neighborhood then, income, the neighborhood is workforce housing, to give the aesthetically and economically. and the once-a-month flurry of “art her dreams in this Portland but there was opportunity if there was remarkably mixed in terms of income waiters and shopkeepers who work Established local art galleries took walk” activity is afoot. Clusters of neighborhood? “It suits my work; it’s vision,” she recalls. levels. “There was a concern when in the neighborhood the ability visitors stroll down N.W. Davis refined” she says. note and began moving into the we began that it would just be for rich to live nearby,” added Rudman. Street and shuffle through the leafy Starting in the early 1980s the region neighborhood. The Elizabeth Leach people,” says Steve Rudman, executive “But Section 8 vouchers are also Downtown Portland, along with what North Park Blocks as gleaming became the subject of several urban Gallery, a 31-year-old institution with director at Portland’s housing authority, accepted, so you have a true mix is known as The Pearl District, is galleries open their doors to unveil renewal studies that touted its a world-renowned reputation, Home Forward. “So we found a way of income levels. On Jamison Square, home to a growing number of art Courtesy of Flickr user pondskipper their latest shows. At Gallery 903 potential for residential growth. planted its flag on N.W. 9th Avenue to make the redevelopment viable for you have a million-dollar penthouse galleries as well as Powell’s Books, a wine steward uncorks a bottle Various drafts of a River District in 2004, and a fleet of prestigious Portland Farmers Market all local residents.” and low-income housing on the same established in 1971 and now the from Willamette Valley’s Erath Plan generated in the early 1990s and established names – Froelick block, and it all works.” largest independent new and used The tool that allowed that to happen, Winery and a Spanish classical honed the vision for accommodating Gallery, Blue Sky Gallery, the Augen bookstore in the world; Portland Pearl Lifestyle: according to Rudman, is the By all accounts, the Pearl District guitarist plays softly in a corner. It’s more people and businesses, but Gallery, and the Museum of Center Stage; and the prestigious inclusionary-funding rule inserted redevelopment has been so successful Seattle business student Rachella the pace of progress really picked up Contemporary Craft – followed It’s Your Oyster advertising agency Wieden + Kennedy. into the final River District Plan. it’s almost at capacity, with less than Smith’s first taste of First Thursday. around the turn of the millennium. in 2007, colonizing the historically This rule requires that 30 percent 10 percent residential and less than 5 The Pearl District is bounded to renovated DeSoto Building. The Downtown residents have a wealth The boutiques in Jamison Square “I’m not from here; I just heard this In 1999 the already-formidable of property tax income from new percent office vacancy. While many the south by W. Burnside Street, presence of these new tastemakers of choices when it comes to art, tend to be shopping hot-spots, was the place to be,” the stylish Powell’s Books completed construction be set aside for speculate on what the next phase of the city’s north-south dividing line; raised the neighborhood’s profile, entertainment and shopping. The as does Powell’s Books, which also 20-something explains. “I’m still a 50,000-square-foot expansion. construction of affordable units. development will bring, the renewal to the east by N.W. Broadway, and in the newly centralized gallery Portland Center Stage Armory hosts sells plenty of notions and trinkets. getting a feel for what Portland’s In 2000 The First Regiment Armory These funds have paved the way for designers pegged a definite trend a well-appointed thoroughfare that district First Thursday turned from a full theater season on two stages: Shoe enthusiasts might want to step about, but this is a great example of Annex Building, which had previously a half-dozen affordable-unit in their development plan: “Change is runs north from the Portland Art a monthly whim into a ritual tradition, the Gerding, which favors high- into the well-heeled Halo or visit what I see Portland as: very green housed the Weinhardt Brewery, was buildings to be built, including the a hallmark of the Pearl ... railyards Museum; Highway 405 to the west; a draw for tourists and suburbanites production-value plays and musicals, Lizard Lounge to weigh the merits and expressive.” transformed into a state-of-the-art Sitka, Lovejoy and Ramona replacing marshland, trucks replacing and N.W. Lovejoy Street to the north. as well as a neighborhood celebration. and the Ellyn Bye, which tends of a pair of locally-made Danner theater space for Portland Center Apartments – the last whimsically trains ... streetcars replacing autos.” Farther back in the gallery Alexandra “The Pearl” also represents another toward more avant-garde, new, or boots against heavy-duty “docs” named after the character in Beverly The success of the area’s early change Becker-Black, painter of some elegant important intersection: where solo productions. Jimmy Mak’s jazz from the Doc Marten Store. club brings world-class players Cleary’s children’s books. has created a momentum that will nudes that Smith found striking, architecture, urban planning, For lunch, locals recommend Little several nights a week, and galleries clearly continue as the last remaining greets admirers of her work. historic preservation and green Big Burger, Thai Peacock, and and restaurants host symposia and under-used blocks are transformed The 27-year-old admits schlepping building initiatives have converged I’m not from here; Prasad, while dinner is dominated by charity events throughout the month. into walkable streets and art-infused her pieces to nearby coffee shops to meet the challenges of population Irving Street Kitchen, Park Kitchen, communities. and street fairs for two years before growth and a changing business and Davis Street Tavern. For coffee, earning this coveted spot. climate while accommodating an I just heard this was Barista is said to be hard to beat, and artistic renaissance. for bread and pastry the Pearl the place to be. Bakery is extolled as close to perfect. San Francisco, CA Percentage of Workers Number of Arts-Related Number of Arts-Related in Creative Occupation Non-Profit Organizations Businesses Target Neighborhood The Mission District 6.4% 27 14 Arts Non-Profits

Core Indicator Percentage of Number of Indicator Walk Score Businesses Independent Businesses Businesses (Walkability) 96% 568 97 Features

3 6 Courtesy of George Abbott Courtesy of George Abbott

1 2 House Made Pastrami at Wise Sons Delicatessen Precita Eyes Mural Center 8 2 7 1 4 5 Courtesy of George Abbott Courtesy of George Abbott

3 Fresh Meat Market 4 La Reyna Bakery Courtesy of George Abbott Courtesy of George Abbott Courtesy of George Abbott Lightpattern user courtesy Flickr ProductionsPhoto of 5 Arkay Workshop 6 Horace Mann Middle School 7 Discolandia 8 Galería de la Raza San Francisco, CA Reported by Tim Halbur The Mission District

If you look at a map of the city and what’s going on creatively, there’s a huge concentration Courtesy of Flickr user kate at yr own risk Courtesy of Flickr user ssylvis of that in the Mission. Delfina restaurant Taqueria Vallarta For decades San Francisco’s Mission While locals will all point to “There are celebrations all the time, because of that energy.” SF Mime The Weird and The Last District has been the city’s artistic changing demographics in the [like] Carnaval parades down Balmy Troupe’s offices, complete with a breeding ground. Even today, when Mission, particularly around 16th Alley,” says Ellen Callas, general scene shop, costume lab and the Wonderful Frontier Silicon Valley has taken over as the and Valencia, there is still a vibrant manager and collective member of rehearsal spaces, have been located The city has long served as an McDowell puts down her brush to The architecture and density of the Four new restaurants and a lot of new Bay Area’s employment hub and San and politically active Hispanic the SF Mime Troupe, a theater group in the Mission since the 1970s. incubator for unique, funky artist talk about the recent open-studio neighborhood have changed little over galleries have sprung up in the area,” Francisco has become a bedroom community. that performs much-loved political “We have a big back yard, and we communities. In the 1990s when events in the neighborhood. “Within the last century, as San Francisco reportedly lured by the success of community for software developers, satire in Bay Area parks. “There’s rehearse out there and we invite That community is also steeped grunge had taken over most of the the eight blocks around here there has strict restrictions on demolishing Southern Exposure and the opportunity the Mission holds its own as a hotbed a sense of vitality and youth, and artists from the community to use in the arts, represented by groups music world, San Francisco was are at least six large studio buildings or renovating the city’s famous to be part of thriving art scene. of the arts. Not far away the historic people are attracted to the Mission it,” says Callas. “It’s our home.” like Teatro Campesino, Galería spawning bands like Idiot Flesh and with 20-50 artists each,” she explains. Victorian-era housing stock. That has Civic Center is filled with grand Galería de la Raza is focusing on de la Raza and the Mission Cultural Charming Hostess – creepy, circus- “People come here because they know meant that the mixed nature of the edifices housing the symphony and the southern edge of the district, Center. The neighborhood also inspired ensembles with exotic it’s an artist neighborhood. Artists community has been well preserved, ballet, but except for the hours working to create an official “arts boasts a genuine arts tourist instrumentation and even more exotic here sell edgier, more affordable and even the most active of nightspots before and after a performance the corridor” along 24th Street. Ani attraction in Balmy Alley, one of costuming. These bands played to work than the downtown scene.” still has two stories of housing above. surrounding streets are quiet. By Rivera is forging partnerships with several alleyways decorated with dedicated followings in small clubs contrast, in the Mission every inch San Francisco regularly ranks Sections of the neighborhood have local and downtown merchants colorful murals painted by mural around the city, oblivious to trends of the fine-grained streetscape is full among the top food destinations been slow to grow, particularly the to bring that vision to life. Creating arts organization Precita Eyes. in the outside world. In the Mission, of life at all hours, from the corner Art has been the driving in the country, but until recently more industrial eastern edge where synergy between the Hispanic The Marsh has become a much-loved bodegas selling mangoes and beer “Art has been the driving force that the Mission was primarily seen the gallery Southern Exposure community, local arts groups venue for solo performers and to the high-end restaurants like has shifted the environment in the as a place to enjoy a classic San is based. However, Fink says that and independent businesses storytellers, and The Elbo Room Range and Delfina. Mission from a very violent area to a force that has shifted Francisco burrito at a taqueria like in the last year “the neighborhood has seems a proven path to success keeps the mix of jazz and roots music very vibrant neighborhood,” says Ani La Cumbre, El Castillito, or Cancún. gone from pretty quiet to really active. in this ever-active community. “If you look at a map of the city and going all week long. Rivera, executive director of Galería The dining scene has diversified in what’s going on creatively, there’s the environment in de la Raza. “And using art as a San Francisco’s sex-positive residents recent years, with newcomers like a huge concentration of that in vehicle for social change has always celebrate at Club Kiss, a secret club Maverick and Commonwealth the Mission,” says Courtney Fink, been at the forefront.” Rivera says the Mission from a very initiated and promoted by fetish offering such exotic dishes as executive director of Southern that in the 1970s when Galería de fashion designer Princess Polly. calamari stuffed with nettles and Exposure, an artist-centered non- la Raza was founded on 24th Street venison tartare with huckleberry. profit with an exhibition space and violent area to a very Visual artists live and work the Mission was primarily a migrant Every August The San Francisco offices on 20th at Alabama. “But they throughout the neighborhood in immigrant population and had a Food Festival stretches from 22nd tend to be smaller, more community- collectives like Art Explosion Studios significant gang problem. Latino arts vibrant neighborhood. to 26th on Folsom. Chefs like Charles driven, artist-led groups that don’t and Root Division. Artists Kirsten People come here organizations with an activist bent Phan of Slanted Door hit the street need a ton of space. There are really Tradowsky and Heidi McDowell share gave voice to the community and to purvey favorites like his not a lot of big spaces so it has always a studio space in the 1890 Bryant brought about a dramatic change in Vietnamese egg rolls. “You can go felt like a really dense neighborhood. Building across from the bus station. because they know it’s an the look and feel of the neighborhood. down the street from my studio It feels very rich in culture, and When asked why she decided to set “And in the last 10 years, there’s been and spend $200 on dinner, or you there’s still a lot of diversity.” up shop in the Mission after art a huge shift,” adds Rivera. “I think can get a $2 taco,” says McDowell. artist neighborhood. school, Tradowksy explains, “The what pulled people to this “It’s a pretty interesting mix.” weather is really nice, the light is neighborhood was the arts.” amazing and it is culturally really Artists here sell edgier, interesting. You definitely feel like part of a community motivated more affordable work than to make art.” the downtown scene. Seattle, WA Percentage of Workers Number of Arts-Related Number of Arts-Related in Creative Occupation Non-Profit Organizations Businesses Target Neighborhood The Pike-Pine Corridor 3.0% 29 35 Arts Non-Profits

Core Indicator Percentage of Number of Indicator Walk Score Businesses Independent Businesses Businesses (Walkability) 89% 511 97 Features

5

7 Courtesy of Flickr user laviddichterman user Flickr Courtesy of

1 Vermillion Art Gallery during Art Walk

2 4 3 6 1 Courtesy JeanineAndersen user Flickr of Courtesy of Flickr user alykat The Seattle Bike-In 2 Elliott Bay Book Company Courtesy of Flickr user mattoly Courtesy of Flickr user Joe Mabel

3 Moe Bar 4 Northwest Film Forum Courtesy of Flickr user neighborhoods.org user Courtesy Flickr of Holden Courtesy Michael user Flickr of Courtesy JeanineAndersen user Flickr of Courtesy of Flickr user Premshree Pillai 5 Vino Verité Capitol Hill restaurant 6 Caffe Vita 7 Purveyors of Fine Magic mural Seattle, WA Reported by Mark Baumgarten The Pike-Pine Corridor

In 2010 when Laurie Kearney was “I couldn’t really imagine having considering a permanent home for her Ghost Gallery’s permanent space I couldn’t really imagine roving Ghost Gallery, the first-time in another neighborhood,” Kearney business owner didn’t know exactly says. “[Capitol Hill is] a perfectly how she was going to make her dynamic part of Seattle, with having Ghost Gallery’s for-profit retail arts space successful. a wide range of passers-by including But she was certain of one thing: It families, students, tourists and was going to be located in Capitol Hill. young professionals.” permanent space in another neighborhood. [Capitol Hill is] a perfectly dynamic part of Seattle, Affordability with a wide range in the Balance

These organizations and the artists Long-time leaseholders at the of passers-by including with whom they work have continued Oddfellows Building discovered the to constitute the cultural fabric precariousness of their situation families, students, of the Pike-Pine Corridor, even as in 2008 when a new owner took over the neighborhood has undergone the building and raised rents, forcing large-scale development and young many tenants to leave. tourists and young professionals and affluent tech Property owners will have a major workers have moved into new Courtesy of Flickr user hopeisalot user Courtesy Flickr of Courtesy of Flickr user Joe Mabel say in whether the Pike-Pine Corridor condominium complexes. They have continues to be one of America’s Top professionals. Northwest Film Forum Elliot Bay Book Company been able to stay because the city ArtPlaces. Rapid growth in the district of Seattle has built a bulwark against is causing rents to rise, and many pricing out artists: Since 1981 Seattle A New Commercial A Music-Driven Rise, local arts organizations haven’t voters have approved a series of levies found the funds they need to purchase Arts Center Decline and Rebirth designated for affordable housing. their properties. Fortunately, there The Capitol Hill Housing Authority, Kearney’s shop isn’t the only one the Velocity Dance Center; the In 1914, a woman named Nellie However, the city’s gay population, the Center on Contemporary Art, 911 In 1997 the Capitol Hill Block Party are a number of landlords and which is responsible for making vying for that crowd’s attention. In Northwest Film Forum; the Photo Cornish opened what would become which had taken root in the years Media Arts Center and Artist Trust, premiered, galvanizing a new-music developers in the area who see value use of those funds, has worked the last two decades the south side Center NW; a handful of midsized the Cornish School of the Arts at following the Vietnam War, remained that continue to shape Seattle. community with a day of music in keeping these groups and are to keep housing affordable for artists of the Capitol Hill neighborhood, music clubs; a cluster of the city’s the corner of Broadway and E. Pine and provided the neighborhood with on a single stage. It has since grown devoted to keeping preserving the By 1987 both the Empty Space Theatre in the area. into a three-day music and arts character of the neighborhood, where Broadway intersects the most inventive fringe theaters; or the streets. Though it would move out a foundation for much of its arts and and And/Or Gallery were gone from festival that draws more than 20,000 Nonetheless, the balance between and continuing to rent affordably corridor between E. Pike and E. Pine dozens of galleries and arts-friendly of the corridor after just seven years, culture. During the migration out of the neighborhood. The emergence people annually. the arts community and the interests to arts groups while maintaining streets, has boomed into a thriving businesses that partake in the the school launched a number city centers that took place in the late of Seattle’s grunge music scene of property owners is delicate. None the old buildings that house them. commercial arts district. Located growing Blitz Capitol Hill Art Walk on of luminaries including painter Mark 1960s lower-income groups were focused international attention on the The arts community was still of these arts organizations actually on the other side of the interstate the second Thursday of every month. Tobey, choreographer Merce attracted to the area by its cheap rents. music-rich Pioneer Square and percolating in the low-rent spaces It is because of these efforts that highway from Seattle’s downtown Cunningham and composer John These included minority populations owns its property. In the evening artists of various Belltown neighborhoods, leaving the of Capitol Hill well into the mid-1990s, Capitol Hill is now home to Elliott core, perched atop a ridge overlooking Cage. Early arts patron Hans and members of the countercultural genres can be found in the area: Pike-Pine Corridor as a quieter arts with the Oddfellows Building at Bay Book Company, a nationally Puget Sound, Capitol Hill is the Lehmann wrote that Cornish movements, as well as artists at the Vermillion Art Gallery sipping enclave. However, though the spotlight 10th and E. Pine serving as home recognized independent retailer that densest residential neighborhood “illuminat[ed] Seattle’s cultural who created artist-run spaces where wine and hatching plans for new may have shifted the money the music to dozens of arts groups including was forced out of its Pioneer Square in Seattle. It is also home to a wilderness like Diogenes’ lantern.” the avant-garde could thrive. exhibitions, in the upstairs loft of industry brought to the city stayed, the Velocity Dance Center and home in 2010. The bookstore is flourishing community of artists and Caffé Vita crafting short stories, or in The area continued to flourish as a The Empty Space Theatre opened and with it entrepreneurs began the organization behind the Seattle regarded as an anchor for the area’s many of the city’s vital arts centers. Moe Bar talking about their band’s center of commerce and culture until in a Capitol Hill loft in the early 1970s opening bars and live-music venues Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, retail, as well as a boon to its artists, During the day the area around latest national tour. For many artists the 1960s when local businesses and and became the center of adventurous in the Pike-Pine Corridor. both of which started in 1996. The many of whom work there for money the Pike-Pine Corridor is flush and arts patrons in Seattle, there is artists started to move to Seattle’s fringe theater and the inspiration for Northwest Film Forum moved into and shop there for inspiration. with activity as people fill the many little this neighborhood doesn’t offer. oldest neighborhood, Pioneer Square, a generation of performing artists. the area the same year, and three retail outlets, coffee shops, galleries which was newly rehabilitated. Across the street And/Or Gallery young writers started the Richard To understand how this happened, and restaurants. In the evening, Capitol Hill slid into decline. opened in 1974, forming a nexus of Hugo House in 1997. it helps to look back on the history they flock to the Richard Hugo House, experimental visual and multi-media of the Pike-Pine Corridor. the area’s literary arts center; arts and eventually giving rise to myriad arts organizations, including Washington, DC Percentage of Workers Number of Arts-Related Number of Arts-Related in Creative Occupation Non-Profit Organizations Businesses Target Neighborhood The intersection of Adams Morgan, 3.9% 43 13 Arts Non-Profits U Street, and Dupont Circle Core Indicator Percentage of Number of Indicator Walk Score Businesses Independent Businesses Businesses (Walkability) 88% 516 95 Features

5 7

6 Courtesy of Flickr user random duck 1 1 Adams Morgan Day Festival

3

2 4 Courtesy of Flickr user Kevin H.

2 Project 4 Gallery Courtesy JamesCalder user Flickr of

3 Drum circle in Meridian Hill Park Courtesy of Flickr user Timothy Forbes Photography Photo courtesy of Flickr user KClvey Courtesy of City Bikes Courtesy of Flickr user Poldavo user Courtesy Flickr of 4 Twins Jazz Club 5 Mural Un Pueblo Sin Murales 6 Tryst Café 7 City Bikes Washington, DC Reported by Philippa P.B. Hughes The intersection of Adams Morgan, U Street, and Dupont Circle

Creativity Arts and From Upheaval Arts Activism Adams Morgan as an artsy Adams Morgan is defined by a Hargrove said, “These attempts at Today nearly every restaurant in Today the church might host square community is less about history of upheaval, arts activism, economic development would have Adams Morgan shows the work of dancing, a young girl’s quinceañera and diversity. The same upheavals destroyed the things that made the local artists on its walls. Music from party and a benefit concert hosted that threatened to dismantle the neighborhood a cultural magnet.” around the world can be heard any by punk activist-collective Positive making art and more about community became the catalysts that night of the week: Bukom Café Force, all in the same day. “The Hargrove describes how most of the made the neighborhood attractive features West African beats; Latin church has always opened its space aging white population had fled the to artists, and eventually to the music fills the smoky hookah air at to anyone who served the community the community and about neighborhood after the 1968 riots, professionals who wanted to live in Bossa; and the Ethiopian restaurant through the arts,” says Mark leaving behind cheap properties that cool neighborhoods. However, artists Dalak hosts local indie rock bands Anderson, a co-founder of Positive allowed artists to move in. B. Stanley, being a place for art to thrive. have thrived for many years in and electronic dance music DJs Force and of We Are Family, which the director of DC Arts Center in the Adams Morgan, isolated from the DC on its off nights. A relatively new provides services to low-income heart of Adams Morgan, remembers driven by politics and government. resident of seven years, young artist elderly residents. sitting on the front porch of the house Arts Across As the neighborhood became more Morgan Hungerford West says she he shared with other theater friends Finding space to live, perform, popular, artists started to expand chose to live in Adams Morgan the City and greeting musicians, visual artists, and exhibit has always been one their influence and started to because its diversity means that and many others passing by. Some of the artist’s greatest challenges contribute to the cultural vibrancy the “landscape changes each day Many of the artists and arts Saied Alzahi, who opened Perry’s of them would use Stanley’s house in a city like DC, which never had the of other neighborhoods throughout and throughout the day.” organizations that started in Adams sushi restaurant in the early 1980s, for rehearsal space or as a temporary cheap industrial warehouse spaces the city. In effect, Adams Morgan Morgan spawned new arts ventures has been an avid supporter and art studio. A group of artists came St. Stephen and the Incarnation that existed in cities like New York, became a creative incubator for arts throughout the city. Seth Hurwitz collector of art. Perry’s became together in the early 1980s to purchase Church on 16th Street NW, on Chicago, or Berlin. It has taken throughout DC. booked music at the Ontario Theater the de facto nighttime restaurant their apartment building, now known the eastern edge of Adams Morgan, a community-wide commitment on Columbia Road NW before hangout for artists for many years, Many of Adams Morgan’s artists as the Beverley Court Cooperative, has been a particularly important to ensure that despite rising rents eventually starting his own music and a revolving exhibit of Alzahi’s have lived in the neighborhood for the first such purchase that was incubator of the arts and arts in the neighborhood the arts could promotion business IMP and extensive personal art collection Courtesy of Flickr user afagen decades and preserve the feeling privately financed by its residents. activism in DC. Punk bands that led continue to flourish. DC Arts Center opening one of the most successful is visible. In 1998 Constantine Queen Anne-style architecture of a Bohemian community nestled Many members still live there today. the straight-edge movement like can continue to provide space for music venues on the East Coast, Stavropoulos opened the popular inside a world capital city. One of Fugazi and Bad Brains played some visual art shows, theatrical Low rents also contributed to the 9:30 Club. Dance Place occupied coffee shop Tryst, where out-of-work the activist leaders who have helped of their first shows in the basement productions, comedy and magic Washington, DC, can be broadly However, a different kind of increasing ethnic diversity in the a large studio on 18th Street NW actors could always find a job, artists with that preservation is Ann Hargrove, of St. Stephen’s before becoming shows because it doesn’t pay rent. described as starchy and uptight. sensibility can be found in lively neighborhood. Fleeing political before it moved to less expensive could always show their work on who chaired the area’s Advisory worldwide sensations. The building’s original landlord, The imprints of its primary industry, and culturally progressive unrest in their own countries, space in Northeast DC. The city the walls, and aspiring authors could Neighborhood Commission for most Herb White, believed strongly government, and of all its offshoots neighborhoods such as Adams Salvadoran and later Ethiopian officially designated the alley behind spend their days tapping away on of the 1970s and who worked in the in the need to provide affordable define the culturally conservative Morgan that exist away from the immigrants started moving into the Dance Place’s former space as their MacBooks writing novels and Office of Economic Opportunity during space so that artists could expend reputation of the city. National Mall and Capitol Hill. neighborhood in the 1980s. Within Dance Alley, in tribute to an screenplays. Visitors can drop into that time. Hargrove led several their energies on being creative a few blocks it is now possible to eat organization that had contributed Cashion’s Eat Place at any time for zoning battles in the 1970s, including rather than having to worry about a Peruvian roasted chicken, Middle significantly to the artistic vibrancy a bite at the bar and to hang out with opposition to an urban renewal plan paying the rent. Eastern falafel, Ethiopian sourdough of the neighborhood and the city. neighborhood regulars who treat that would have seen the destruction bread, West African chicken stew, it as their personal dining room. of affordable housing, to a plan to build One of the titans of the DC creative or New Orleans beignets. a freeway that would have cut through scene, Eric Hilton, opened ESL music The Adams Morgan neighborhood the small neighborhood and destroyed studio near Adams Morgan and lived and the area around it continue low-income housing, and to the nearby nearby for many years. Besides to thrive because they form a Washington Hilton’s attempt to tear being one of the original members community that fosters and fights for These attempts at down historic buildings to construct of the world-renowned music group artistic thinking, cultural diversity, a convention center. Thievery Corporation he opened and idealism within a larger, more Marvin, a restaurant in tribute staid urban setting. As B. Stanley economic development to Marvin Gaye at the corner of 14th says, “Adams Morgan as an artsy and U streets NW. A string of other community is less about making art successful restaurants followed and more about the community and would have destroyed along the U Street corridor, all about being a place for art to thrive.” of which incorporate Hilton’s the things that love of music and all of which have contributed to the economic revitalization of an area that took a

made the neighborhood manera daquella user flickr while to recover from the 1968 riots. a cultural magnet. Meridian Hill Park America’s ArtPlaces in (in alphabetical order, not ranked) the Top 44 Metro Areas

Alexandria, VA Chicago, IL Memphis, TN Portland, OR San Jose, CA Downtown Gold Coast and a section Downtown The Pearl District and Downtown of the Near North Side a portion of Downtown Anchorage, AK Miami Beach, FL Seattle, WA Downtown Dallas, TX South Beach Providence, RI The Pike-Pine Corridor The Dallas Arts District, Downtown and Federal Hill Atlanta, GA Milwaukee, WI Tampa, FL with parts of Deep Ellum Buckhead East Town and a portion Raleigh, NC Downtown and the and Exposition Park River Arts District Austin, TX of the Lower East Side Wade Denver, CO South Lamar Minneapolis, MN Rochester, NY Williamsburg, VA Capitol Hill William and Mary College Baltimore, MD Parts of Downtown West Parts of Downtown Detroit, MI and Loring Park Pearl-Meigs-Monroe and Historic Williamsburg Midtown and East Ave Washington, DC Boston, MA Nashville, TN Back Bay Fort Worth, TX Hillsboro Heights, Sacramento, CA The intersection of Arlington Heights with a portion of Edgehill Midtown and Adams Morgan, U Street, The Bronx, NY East Sacramento and Dupont Circle Fordham Fort Lauderdale, FL Norfolk, VA Downtown Downtown St. Louis, MI Brooklyn, NY Central West End The intersection of Houston, TX New York, NY Downtown, Fort Greene, Neartown/Montrose Manhattan Valley St. Paul, MN Lowertown Gowanus, Park Slope Indianapolis, IN Oakland, CA and Prospect Heights Downtown Downtown, including St. Petersburg, FL Chinatown, Old Oakland Downtown St. Petersburg Cambridge, MA Jamaica, NY and Jack London Square North Cambridge Laurelton Salt Lake City, UT Philadelphia, PA Capitol Hill Charlotte, NC Los Angeles, CA Old City Fourth Ward, with parts Central Hollywood San Francisco, CA of First Ward and Uptown The Mission District About ArtPlace

ArtPlace is a collaboration of 13 leading national and regional foundations, Funds committed to ArtPlace are managed by the Nonprofit Finance eight federal agencies including the National Endowment for the Arts, Fund, a nonprofit lender and financial consulting organization and six of the nation¹s largest financial institutions to accelerate creative that serves as investment and grant manager for the collaboration. placemaking across the U.S. ArtPlace is also supported by a $12 million loan fund capitalized ArtPlace is investing in art and culture at the heart of a portfolio of by six major financial institutions and managed by the Nonprofit Finance integrated strategies that can drive vibrancy and diversity so powerful Fund. Participating institutions are Bank of America, Citi, Deutsche Bank, that it transforms communities. To date, ArtPlace has awarded Chase, MetLife and Morgan Stanley. 80 grants to 76 organizations in 46 communities across the U.S. ArtPlace works to accelerate creative placemaking by making grants for a total of $26.9 million. and loans; by striking important partnerships with those who share Participating foundations include Bloomberg Philanthropies, our passion; with research; and with communication and advocacy that The Ford Foundation, The James Irvine Foundation, The John S. we hope will influence others to engage in this work. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, To learn more about ArtPlace, visit artplaceamerica.org The McKnight Foundation, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The William Penn Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, Rasmuson Foundation, The Surdna Foundation and two anonymous donors.