Supporting Artists

We’ve all experienced it, arriving in a strange city and setting off to explore it, not knowing where we are going or where we’ll end up. We wander the streets, bewildered by the unfamiliarity of it all, searching for something that connects us to our normal.
 
I walked along the streets of Richmond, BC in search of Walmart. Don’t judge me, I needed a goal, however mundane, and it seemed as good as any. My days of happily getting lost in strange places are behind me, needing now a sense of purpose. Anyway, my projected route was fraught with construction. The city is sprouting blocks upon blocks of tall, soulless buildings, proudly displaying dual language signs offering the joys of living there. While I can imagine the views – mountains and sea stretching in all horizons – could be stunning, there is a conformity about these places; dull, grey, structurally linear. So, I altered my path, my footsteps taking me down a treelined street which heralded a tantalizing sign – ART WALK!
 
Now, call me cynical, but although this will draw my attention, my expectations for such things are not high. The sign was crudely drawn, and I assumed that there would be a rag tag bunch of artists with an eclectic range of works from the bad to the diabolical. However, I was both surprised and delighted to see that I was very wrong.
 
I came across the studio of an artist whose work was a delightful riot of color and form, and the artist herself was warm and friendly, busy explaining to two gentlemen her purpose and style. I browsed while she chatted, then introduced myself. From Catherine – for that was her name – I got the story of the space she occupied and what I feel all cities should do for their creative inhabitants.
 
Catherine’s studio is part of a project where the city included live/work spaces for creatives – not just artists, but musicians, writers, actors, etc. – so that they could do what they love. The rationale was to not just let developers put up buildings for the rich to live in, but also affordable places for people who work in the creative industries. There was an application process, but now there is a lively community of people in the heart of an area that is rapidly transforming. While the studio is not huge, it is definitely livable for one person or even a couple, and the location is fabulous.
 
As an artist, I know how difficult it is to balance survival with my creative work. When we choose to follow this path, we choose a life of hustling and graft. There is precious little support for artists, whether practical – like what Richmond is providing – or monetary – and initiatives like this should be available in all urban areas. Art makes life livable, makes cities vibrant and unique, and therefore the support of artists should be of great importance to local government. Projects like this one show how private companies and public bodies can work together in creating places to live and work, enhancing the wider environment and generally making life better for all.