Comments on: Does DC Have a Strong Art Community?

By: Scenic Artisan

Scenic Artisan — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:12:00 +0000

i didnt really respond to your queries though.... sorry.

What constitutes a strong art community?

to me, a strong arts community is an amalgamation of arts professionals, artists obviously, but also, gallarists, curators, patrons, art lovers, etc.. that interact regularly and create an atmosphere that is encouraging toward artistic and professional artistic growth.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:38:00 +0000

Sean, I’d love you to say more about the local art community as a *community*; I know the city is full of artists, but what is it that, in your mind, constitutes “a strong community” versus just “lots of artists”? What are your thoughts on Richard and Mat’s points re: cost? And what’s your take on the reputation issue – if there’s a strong community, why aren’t more people inside and outside the city aware of it? Would love your thoughts. Will email you too!

By: Richard Layman

Richard Layman — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 19:02:00 +0000

Baltimore by the way is proof of the price for space (and size of available spaces) point vis-a-vis DC.

Note that a couple weeks ago I wrote a number of entries about “DIY” culture inspired by a trip to Baltimore.

By: Mr. Emily

Mr. Emily — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:34:00 +0000

Well the lack of affordable spaces for our studio forced us look elsewhere. We couldn't afford $4000 a month in studio space (in a shitty neighborhood) that was 450 square feet. Not to mention the construction we'd have to do.

It's amazing how many full-time artists & musicians we know here in Baltimore. I couldn't name one while we lived in DC. I still can't. It's a shame. DC has so much to offer! And a crazy awesome Metro too!

By: Jordan Hirsch

Jordan Hirsch — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:26:00 +0000

I don't think a lack of "cheap places to rent" is a valid reason for the supposed lack of an arts community in DC. Does NY have a preponderance of "cheap places to rent?" No, but it does benefit from a long-standing reputation as an arts-filled place. Reputations are hard to change (The Washington City Paper did a piece not too long ago about how for 50 years people had been saying that this or that administration was ushering DC out of its phase as a "sleepy southern town" and into its new phase as an urban center, all the while the city was simply what it was), and I think DC's reputation simply doesn't fit.

I am disappointed that several local music venues (notably in Adams Morgan) have closed down in the past few years, but new ones are opening up, too. You can see local DC standup comedians and musicians almost every night at Solly's on U St. And there's a whole summer of free concerts at Fort Reno where you can see local band after local band.

I feel like nearly everyone I know in the city is in a band (or 2) or an improv group or a play or writing a screenplay or shooting a short film or auditioning for something when they're not busy painting at home. DC has a huge community of artists, and for the most part it lacks the competitive vibe people tend to associate with such communities. I have found DC artists to be supportive, creative, and friendly.

I honestly don't know how to change a city's reputation once it gets set. When so many people come here with preconceived notions then move away without trying to challenge those notions, how does change happen? But I can say that as a long-time resident of the city (8 years) I have had my own preconceptions about the creativity of this town turned upside down, and I couldn't be happier about that.