27 Towns for Working Artists

"The primary requirements to make a community inviting to artists are the potential for income, and the affordability of housing and work space...

Affordable housing and work space is critical for many artists, and many communities are responding to this need by offering special deals on housing and commercial space. The incentives are often for specific buildings in areas that are experiencing economic hardship, and are considered by traditional businesses to be too risky for investment. As a result, many communities are offering artists low interest loans, grants, and tax exemptions to help them establish businesses in these zones."

Art Calendar magazine offers the case study of Louisiana's Cultural Products Districts on the website. The other 26 places are only available in the print edition of the magazine.