The Art Scene Moves To … Newark?

Artists aren't moving across the East River — they're moving across the Hudson River, according to the Daily News. The tabloid reports that Newark, New Jersey boasts an emerging artistic community with a growing number of galleries and art institutions. “I thought downtown Newark resembled downtown L.A. before it was what it is now,” said gallery owner Saloman Anaya, 34. “We used to have derelicts and craziness on the streets, but that all changed.”

The paper makes the case that Newark is a great place for artists due to the large number of big, inexpensive, industrial spaces. Couple that with the fact that Newark is only a short ride on the PATH train away from Manhattan, and it starts sounding like Jersey's answer to Bushwick. Since 2002, the number of galleries in the city has grown from about 12 to about 20, according to the Newark Arts Council. At the same time, it has become home to hundreds of artists — some of whom pay as little as $200 a month for studio space.

Though the art scene is growing, sales at galleries are slow and it's tough to convince New Yorkers to schlep to Newark, according to artist Victoria Hanks, who has lived in a Newark loft for six years. “When they do, they’re very impressed, but Newark still has a stigma."

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By Ben Muessig in Arts & Entertainment on December 22, 2009 4:34 PM

Comments [rss]

submergedart

more on newark!!!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

Ethan

A recommendation to Newark developers: if you're going to gentrify the city, could you at least make it look nice?

I don't know how Williamsburg could get so expensive yet still mostly remain in 19th century industrial squalor. Are hipsters really that desperate to live like common people?

NannyState

Go to Buffalo instead.

openheads

*chuckle*

Awww.......... You're so cute.

gtbailey

I am a commercial RE broker focused on Newark for Massey Knakal. Space in Newark can be had for more than half the cost of comparable space anywhere in NYC. Newark can be easily compared to downtown brooklyn as far a safety is concerned, it is less than 20 minutes from Penn Station NYC or the WTC PATH station. The city is actively seeking artists to take on some of the amazing old loft spaces in downtown.

tingo

Surely you meant 'had for less'?

Being an ex-Jersey resident, I'm all for this. It would be awesome to see the great derilect spaces be taken up by artists. The city should seriously create a 'development zone' to encourage artists (and especially minority artists) to take up residence. They should also put up grant money for those who do take it up. And provide some tax breaks and incentives to encourage some small businesses to open in the locale. This could really help rebirth Newark if it was done right.

Enough hating on that city, it definitely needs help.

themsthebreaks

I commute to Newark for class, and I gotta say I agree. It's a pretty cool city imo.

But then again I almost never leave University Heights. And when I do, I'm in the heart of downtown. Market St. looks like a death trap, and apparently I might not be far off.

HOTCUP

they tried this two decades ago.

theLtrain

Don't believe the hype.

NannyState

Just wait until the hipsters get in on the act. It'll be like "Jersey Shore featuring Moby".

gawkthis

i didn't realize the art world was so bad for them that they've decided to commit suicide. Every time one of them steps out onto Market St after sundown, we'll lose another artist. for them the safest place to live in the area is the Essex County Jail as the bars on the windows will limit their exposure to the rest of Newark.

ides_of_march

If and when Newark becomes a hip and desirable place to live, the artists will be the first people run out out town by the yuppies.

RevWaldo

Pity artistes didn't "discover" Newark soon enough to save the good ol' Westinghouse building from demolition. Just a stone's throw away from the Newark Broad St. stop, it would've made one helluva space had it been restored.