The Winter 2006 ArtSpace Cleveland newsletter comments on a recent story in The New York Times about how artists are being priced out of New York City. Other cities, seeing the economic benefits of culture, are now trying to lure these artists with marketing campaigns and incentives.

ArtSpace's Bill Gould asks, "So, if Cleveland is still affordable, will we seize the moment in the competition between cities for creative leadership? Cleveland, for its size, is in a good position to win its share of creative artists.

"With the world-famous orchestra, art museum, health care, and universities, Cleveland can compete — if it has the will. Other competing cities are aggressively luring artists away from the 'Big Apple.' A public/private partnership on a regional scale should mount an aggressive, well funded campaign to compete for the creative class. We have the organization in place; now we need the will and money. It boils down to affordable spaces to do your art."

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