Projects

Vital Arts is a unique resource and partner, not only for artists, but for a range of stakeholders involved with creative space issues. Current projects include:

The Artist Space Trust (AST), a groundbreaking program launched in partnership with Northern California Land Trust. AST is an innovative national model for equitably securing permanently affordable artist housing and creative space to stem the displacement of artists vulnerable to rising real estate costs. Utilizing methods developed by the community land trust movement, AST secures permanently affordable housing and workspace for artists by leveraging an intergenerational transfer of property -— as a legacy from older owners to artist generations locked out by market forces, with paths for affordable ownership and control. www.artistspacetrust.org

In 2024, we will launch the Artist Displacement Prevention Grant. This emergency grant aims to stem the displacement of artists in the Bay Area who are chronically faced with systemic challenges such as eviction, housing issues, rent increases, or homelessness. Vital Arts will work closely with local artists, arts organizations, and community groups to ensure the grant is distributed fairly and equitably. The emergency funds will help stabilize struggling artists and also aid us in prioritizing those most vulnerable in our community.

The Opportunity Loan Fund provides short-term, working capital to help artists’ housing and creative spaces embrace opportunities to support their sustainability, vitality, and impact. A small number of loans are available each year, pending available amount of revolving capital. Interest-free loans have been made for up to $50,000 and must be repaid within 12–24 months. The OLF ended in November 2023.

Artist Displacement Data and Information: Vital Arts operates as a hub for regional information-sharing, uniting efforts towards stemming the displacement crisis. During the pandemic, we joined a coalition of housing justice organizations to alert thousands of Bay Area artists and cultural workers to the Emergency Rental Relief Program. We’ve conducted a region-wide survey of data on artist-displacement, engaging dozens of agencies in sharing information. We’ve hosted meetings with artist-supporting funders and other agencies to discuss what we’ve learned with options for response.

Berkeley Artist Housing Task Force: Vital Arts is an active advisor and participant with this citizen group which has brought steady change to the City of Berkeley. We’ve supported documentation of the artist population and their housing needs through a city-wide survey by Cultural Affairs, secured funding for inclusion of artist units in an affordable housing development, drafted new policy for artist certification in city housing, and ensured artists’ inclusion in the Housing Master Plan for 2013–2111. Our team is currently working on policies to permit conversion of vacant retail spaces for artists’ use and allow ground floor artist live/work as a retail option in new developments. Our efforts are being shared with other cities as potential models.

Advocacy and Education: Vital Arts works closely with regional and statewide agencies on legislative policies affecting artist housing and spaces. We propose and draft initiatives, meet with government officials, continually push for awareness of artists’ space issues, and suggest ways these agencies can help. With partners like Safer Spaces DIY and others, we seek to remove legal barriers for existing artists’ live/work spaces — while maintaining safety — and providing new options for development. We share expertise with property owners and developers, explaining the benefits, options, and models for integrating artists' housing and workspace on site.

Resource and Information Sharing: Vital Arts represents the needs of artists within networks and coalitions addressing local housing and related economic issues. We stay current on successful models, legislation, and funding, identifying opportunities for learning, collaboration, and mutual support locally and nationally. We share connections and pro bono advice with artists, agencies, property owners and others seeking solutions and resources for creative real estate challenges. We are supported by a volunteer team of experts in a variety of fields, from the arts to real estate, financing, urban planning, construction management, and the law who generously share their expertise.