Staying Afloat as an Artist Today

LentSpace is a new project going on in New York which developing companies are lending their unfinished project sites to artists and public arts foundations. The artists benefit from the public exposure, and the lenders can make a little bit of money from the renting an otherwise developmentally stagnant space. Eric Konigsberg of the New York Times writes:

The lot is on loan for about three years from developers who had hoped to build there by now — the project will be called LentSpace… the real estate market undoubtedly contributed to “the generous length of time” of the loan

It seems as if many artists and curators have been taking initiatives to help revitalize the arts while contributing to economic betterment. By helping themselves to cheaper venues, not only do they perpetuate the public art culture in New York, but they also help businesses make a little bit of money while their production is on hiatus due to low funds. Similar symbiotic relationships are developing around the world, assuaging the economic pains with smart lending. Earlier  this month, I wrote about a similar New York Times’ article reporting on recuperating businesses lending out spaces to artists and curators while waiting for a buying offer to come along. The artists benefits from commercial exposure and cheap rent, while the company lending space benefit from attention, which might lead to a purchase.