Artists Underutilized Resources for Community & Economic Revitalization, Research Says

Building Community: Making Space for Art is the first in a series of three essays authored by Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson, senior research associate and director of the Culture, Creativity and Communities program of the Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center at the Urban Institute. Dr. Jackson’s expertise includes neighborhood revitalization, comprehensive community planning and the role of arts and culture in communities. The series’ debut essay features a collection of case studies showcasing communities that successfully integrated artists and art spaces into their revitalization efforts. The essay calls for urban planners, civic councils and community members to actively engage artists as they continue to think through their community development strategies.