An arts district can be many things. Some cities call a cluster of museums a district (Dallas). Other cities designate a collection of galleries a district. Some real estate salespeople designate an arts district as a strategy to raise property values. New York has a roving arts district, first Greenwich Village, then SOHO, now Chelsea. They come and go.
San Diego's downtown has had an arts district since 1970 starting in the Gaslamp (Knights of Pythias Building) then moving it to East Village (Reincarnation) always ignoring it but intentionally relocating it as the artists created value. Artists in San Diego are like urban ghosts, fighting with the homeless for space and time to create. They inhabit sterile space and infuse it with ideas and imagination. That electricity attracts development intrigue. Creativity becomes capital.
Today, downtown has replaced the spaces of the early artists with large buildings; monuments to the artistic energy that preceded. The Barrio Logan/East Village geography holds the opportunity to design an arts district as an economic engine which includes the artists. On the one end it is anchored by Chicano Park, an outdoor museum of living art and on the other end is City College. Two schools of architecture are in the footprint. The Arts Center thrives as an incubator to art. Metal fabrication shops have not disappeared and provide opportunity for three-dimensional arts. Many artists still hold space in this area and create to show elsewhere. Urban architects are saving warehouse space for cultural reuse.
An opportunity exists to create and fund a district dedicated to making art and nurturing artists and thereby provide work and economic opportunity. An opportunity exists to link cultures and spark diverse dialogue centered in creativity. The opportunity exists to create an arts district that is a piece of art, conceptual art built from scattered materials and buildings and potential. Art creates quality of life and promotes creativity in multiple disciplines. BL/EV as an arts district has the potential to encourage economic development based on culture and the integration of its rich history without dislocating the artists.
Ten Principles of the Barrio Logan/East Village (BL/EV) Arts District
The District:
1. provoke and nurture creativity:
The synergy of arts production and performance in a concentrated geographic area will provoke dialogue and experimentation especially if it is coordinated by a central organization. Phased design and themed nodal development will occur within the District allowing an ongoing opportunity for creative dialogue about space and function.
2. achieve economic development for artists, businesses and residents:
The placement of public art on public space as well as private space subsidized and master planned by local artists and residents/businesses will establish a walking experience for nearby convention center events and hotel visitors. Planned artistic and cultural development will establish a new economic engine, as well as create job opportunities. New revenue will result
3. encourage educational opportunity:
The proposed district includes City College, New School and Woodbury Schools of Architecture, numerous arts production classes and venues. Coordinated solicitation of new funds for joint production, residencies and scholarships can focus the existing opportunities. Concentration of new private and non-profit arts and culture organizations with a focus on mentoring and apprenticeship will be encouraged in the District
4. facilitate live/work development for artists of all disciplines:
The artist is an untapped consumer base for mixed use development. New and rehabbed affordable live/work space can be created through the use of data bases, financial education and linkages between artists and developers. Technical assistance to create artists co-ops, community development corporations, mutual ownership strategies, pooled financing and materials purchasing, bonding capabilities and self help strategies will allow artists to permanently live and work in an arts/culture production and distribution environment
5. establish independent financial resources for artists:
The formation of a Business Improvement District (AKA Arts Improvement District) with a defined strategy of using arts and culture to improve business growth will provide a self sustaining organization to manage the District. This base assessment can be enhanced by grants, real estate development (equity sharing), collaboration, sound administration and fund management, etc.
6. establish new venues for the display, production and marketing of art:
The development of a Cultural Center to include performance, housing, sculpture production, multi-media computer-based production, film production and showing, will allow centralized access, production and information. Identification of arts corridors and nodes will occur (e.g.Park Blvd., 25th Street/Cesar Chavez Blvd, etc.) By researching economic potential with clear development strategies along with comprehensive marketing and financial incentives the District will be able to attract key investors and arts related businesses.
7. support cross cultural creative dialogue:
Barrio Logan's Chicano Park outdoor museum is an unparralleled anchor and starting point for dialogue with the eclectic history of art and culture in East Village. The mapping of artists who have produced art in the BL/EV geography can be catalogued and expanded in time. The common production and living space will enhance cross cultural dialogue as well.
8. protect and promote existing public and private art:
Clustered and new art and the promotion of art in all new development will enhance the existing art and provide economic resources for preservation and restoration, The destruction of existing public art can be stopped by cataloging, coordinating and planning restoration, accessing funds for maintenance, and appropriate promotion .
9. strengthen the production of light industrial art oriented business:
The BL/EV Arts District provides the unique opportunity to combine the production of art with the presentation and the opportunity to observe artists at work in the District. The preservation of existing small-scale production space (metal fabrication, light manufacturing, warehouse storage), allows art to be produced at a scale not currently available in the region.
10. establish mutual benefit marketing, distribution and production strategies:
The use of trained professional marketing agencies to promote the District, the businesses, the art/culture and the individual artists will provide economic opportunities for Barrio Logan and east Village. Promotion of arts spaces in various areas throughout the District will allow multi- faceted marketing and attract publicity.
