Government Street could soon have the funkiest bus shelter this city has ever seen. If local artists carry out their dream plan for Mid City revival, an artsy shelter would only look natural along the planned arts corridor on the street. This plan and others were discussed downtown Tuesday night at the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge as a part of the council’s Community Conversations forums. Local visual artists and concerned citizens spoke on a variety of topics including housing, studio space and legislative initiatives. Ruth Williams was one of those artists. Although excited to see the open dialogue between artists, she said she was very concerned for the state of the art community in her hometown. Williams recently returned to the Red Stick after working as an artist in New York City, and her work has been in three art shows since she’s been back. She said she was shocked at how little people are willing to pay for art in Baton Rouge. “I had a painting priced for $5,000 next to all these artists that are a thousand times better with work selling for $500,” she said. “I don’t want to come down here to starve.” Derek Gordon, CEO of the arts council and University graduate, is one of the people trying to ensure the community thrives. As the leader of the forum, he said the council hosted the event to get a feel for artists’ needs and make sure there was community support for art initiatives. “I need to know that I have this army behind me,” he said. One recurring issue was the lack of affordable housing and studio space for artists. There was a consensus that community spaces, where artists can live and work, are essential to move forward. University graduate Elise Toups said that warehouses with cheap studio space and communal equipment such as kilns and printing presses are most important to artists. “You’re able to interact with other artists instead of just being alone,” she said. Gordon said there is a solitude that comes from being a visual artist. “Visual artists are a very special breed,” he said. “They need to talk to each other, and [the arts council] needs to create those opportunities.” Malia Krolak, coordinator for the LSU School of Art Gallery, said affordable warehouse space, especially downtown, had been steadily decreasing. “There used to be cheap studio space until it became cool to live there,” she said. “They drove all the artists out by raising the rent.” Once developers become interested in an area, it can be difficult to maintain an artist community. Samuel Sanders, Executive Director of the Mid-City Redevelopment Alliance, spoke about the organizations efforts to partner with developers. He said tax incentives for developers that partner with nonprofit organizations like the alliance are crucial. The alliance is currently working on a complete vacant property inventory of Mid City areas for its Government Street Master Action Plan. The plan includes widening the street into three lanes to allow for storefront parking and a walkable tour of art galleries in the area. Williams said she thinks the tide may be turning for local artists. “Art is definitely about to take off in Baton Rouge,” she said. Krolak said that in her six years working at the University gallery, she has noticed more and more art graduates staying in town. Williams said the artists need to have patience and faith in the community. “Rome wasn’t built in a day, but we’re certainly here to keep working on it,” said Gordon.
—Contact Lauren Walck at [email protected]