Amanda JohnsonDoctoral Candidate, City and Regional PlanningSchool of Design, University of Pennsylvania

Penn IUR: Penn Urban Doctoral SymposiumMay 13, 2011

Developing Urban Arts Districts: An Analysis of Mobilization in Dallas, Denver, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Seattle

Context and Positioning

Arts, Culture, and Creativity

Economic Development

Urban and Regional Planning

Urban Revitalization and Arts Districts• Arts Anchored Redevelopment (AARD)• Artisan/Artist • Creative Production • Cultural Taxing • Neighborhood Arts

Urban Revitalization and Arts Districts• Arts Anchored Redevelopment (AARD)

• Artisan/Artist

• Creative Production

• Cultural Taxing

• Neighborhood Arts

.

Research QuestionsAre Arts Anchored Redevelopment Districts viable policy?

Does it meet economic development and planning objectives? Why and how do cities mobilize around it? Are some places more suitable than others?

MethodologyComparative Case Analysis

Case 1: Pittsburgh Cultural District

"The Cultural District wasn't a Balkan State. We [The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust] were a private sector intermediary. We couldn't do anything without the City; however we took the burden off of them.”

"At some point, we will crack the code: it is a question of when, how, and who does it.”

Case 2: Philadelphia Avenue of the Arts

"The Avenue of the Arts tended be a series of random events that were tied to particular agendas. They happily converged in a positive way. It was an accidental process, it wasn't like Ed Bacon.”

"There is a balance between strong armed muscle and civic legacies."

Case 3: Dallas Arts District

“For a long time, the arts district existed on paper more than anything else. It was ironic that they used to call it the largest arts district. Sometimes these things are slow in the making.”

"I don’t think Lincoln Center holds up to this...Bear in mind that Dallas is a young city. We have made great progress but we are still behind other cities."

Case 4: Seattle Center

"If you want to start an argument here, touch a blade of grass - that's what we say here.”

“It was about creating our own companies rather than importing them.”  “This [is an] ambitious but frequently indecisive city."

Case 5: Denver Performing Arts Complex

“We want it to be part of the urban fabric and not an island to itself. One performing arts complex does not a theater district make.”

"It is hard to force development when the market isn’t ready. This is the story of the [Denver Performing Arts Complex]. It is why it has taken 30 years. As a complex, it is successful. As a revitalization piece, it is not.” 

Comparative Case Analysis1. Struggle to meet full potential

Sought to transform place but takes time Continued quest for re-invention Reinforced sustainability agenda2. Mobilization is a complicated processRelied on third sector but players fluctuateDemanded collaborationEntrenched in competition Thwarted by external forces3. Product of mobilization: some places are better suited than othersWell-funded, adaptable, and realistic mobilization worksDiverse and dynamic districts excel"Arts competitive advantage" helps but is not essential

Research QuestionsAre Arts Anchored Redevelopment Districts viable policy?

Yes, but room for improvement

Policy RecommendationsDistrict DesignDistrict ManagementDistrict Evaluation

Next StepsBook and articlesFuture research

Arts and Culture

Economic Development

Urban and Regional Planning