Paducah, Kentucky: Artist Relocation Program Paducah has won multiple awards for its Artist Relocation Program, which is part of a larger effort called the LowerTown Artist Program. Both programs are intended to preserve the existing cultural heritage of Paducah’s LowerTown neighborhood while encouraging artists to occupy building space for living and working. According to the LowerTown Artist Relocation Plan, Paducah advertises directly to artists on a national level in magazines such as Sculpture Magazine, American Artists, and Art Calendar. The City has partnered with Paducah Bank in order to provide financing to relocating artists; in 2002, Paducah Bank agreed to offer a 7.5% interest rate which the City agreed to buy down an additional 0.5% for an overall interest rate of 7% with 100% financing (City of Paducah, 2002). Frontier Communications offers incoming artists free websites and these artists participate in joint marketing with the Relocation Program, the Visitor’s Bureau, and downtown museums and galleries (Paducah Renaissance Alliance, 2012).
The Paducah Renaissance Alliance, a Main Street Program, offers a number of incentives to artists looking for working/living space, including:
Alliance-owned properties available for as little as $1 (with a commitment to renovate),
$2,500 reimbursement to cover architectural design/professional services
Matching funds program for costs of marketing and promotional materials
Building rehab costs up to $5,000
Acquisition assistance up to $15,000
In order to qualify for artist relocation incentives, applicants must provide:
Documentation of their business plan
Proposed rehabilitation plans indicating how the building will be brought up to code and the estimated costs to do so
Architectural renderings of the front, rear and side facades
A timeline for project completion
Proof of financial ability to complete the project
Racine, Wisconsin: Artist Relocation Program In 2008, the City of Racine, Wisconsin secured a $196,000 federal grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in order to start the Uptown Revitalization Program, a joint effort of the City of Racine, Racine County Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC) and the State of Wisconsin. The Uptown Revitalization Program is intended to purchase, renovate and sell buildings to encourage private development and provision of affordable housing. As part of this program, the city also launched the Artist Relocation Program, to encourage artists to relocate to the Uptown neighborhood. Racine, Wisconsin established the Uptown Racine Arts District and, to attract artists, created the artist relocation program. The program offers:
Low-cost second mortgage loans through RCEDC
Low-cost small business loans through the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA)
A façade redevelopment grant from the city for up to 50% of the cost up to $10,000
Up to $3,000 grant funding for Design Services from the Uptown Business Improvement District
The City of Racine also maintains a website of all properties currently for sale to interested artists.