"The interesting thing about a Land Trust is that it's a split title, we'll split the title and the land trust will own the land forever. And then we'll either sell or lease the housing or creative space on top of it to artists" - Meg Shiffler

Welcome to the finale of our series on affordable housing for the creative workforce, brought to you in partnership with Arts for a Better Bay Area and the State of the Arts Summit. This episode is the culmination of our journey, featuring innovative solutions and inspirational figures from the creative world.

Join us as we delve into the heart of the ABBA summit with “Housing for the Artist Workforce: Revisiting Artists’ Housing Solutions.” Discover a pioneering pilot program that empowers artist property owners to leave a lasting legacy for the artistic community through a novel real estate trust model.

Meg Shiffler, the esteemed Director of the Artist Space Trust, graces us once again with her presence, offering profound insights into the Trust’s mission, its vital role in protecting artists’ legacies, and how creatives can actively participate in shaping their futures.

But that’s not all! Our exclusive interviews from the ABBA summit, conducted by our insightful reporters Isa Nakazawa and Eric Estrada, will transport you to the heart of the action. We’ll revisit conversations with influential figures like Kathryn Reasoner, a visionary in the arts, and Chun Yu, a poet and co-founder of the Two Languages One Community project, who infuse the summit with their innovative spirits and groundbreaking work.

Don't miss out on this captivating conclusion to our series – our co-production with Arts for a Better Bay Area through their State of the Arts Summit. a tribute to the power of creativity and collaboration in building sustainable futures for artists.

To discover more about our guests and their impactful work, including programs, services, volunteer opportunities, and donation options, visit Voices Of The Community dot com. Navigate to the Arts and Culture Series page and locate Episode Ten. 

For additional insights on housing, revisit Episode Four of the arts and culture series to hear Meg and Kathryn discuss affordable housing for the creative workforce. You can explore the initiatives of Vital Arts and The Northern California Land Trust in Episode Seventy, from our special series focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on our nonprofit sector. And Don't miss Chun Yu's captivating poetry in Episode Two of our arts and culture series.

Throughout this series, co-produced with Arts for a Better Bay Area, we've immersed ourselves in the challenges and triumphs of our arts and culture sector. From the lingering effects of the pandemic to inspiring stories of resilience, we've seen the struggles and the incredible solutions being forged.

We hope you've gained a deeper understanding of the issues artists and organizations face: rising housing costs, lack of workforce support, and persistent undervaluing of their work. But we've also witnessed the power of creativity in driving economic revitalization, promoting health and well-being, and building stronger communities.

The good news is, YOU can be a part of the solution. Here's how:

• Support Arts Organizations: Attend performances, exhibitions, and events. Spread the word about the incredible work they do.
• Advocate for Artists: Contact your elected officials and let them know that supporting the creative workforce is vital to a thriving community.
• Donate or Volunteer: Offer your time or resources to organizations making a difference in the arts and culture sector.
• Spread the Word: Use your voice on social media to amplify arts events and initiatives.

The State of the Arts Summit sparked powerful dialogues. Let's keep the conversation going and work together to create a vibrant future for arts and culture in our communities. Because when the arts thrive, we all thrive. Thank you for joining us on this journey. Together, we can make a difference.

We welcome your participation in our next virtual and live in-person community dialogue event. You can alsowatch this episode on our YouTube Channel and pleaseSign Up for our Newsletter to stay up to date on future episodes and to participate in our next live show. We would love to hear from you with feedback and show ideas, so send us an email to [email protected].

Please consider donating to Voices of the Community - Voices of the Community is fiscally sponsored by Intersection for the Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, that allows us to offer you tax deductions for your contributions. Please consider making a donation to help us provide future shows just like this one.

Dive Into More Information on Each Episode, Speakers, Organizations and Resources at our Voices of the Community’s Special Arts & Culture Series Web Landing Page