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Art agencies do not always address economic need.
One reason is that art grants are often based on categories not including economic need. There is a need to put artists at the center of the arts funding. Visual artists are often marginalized in the arts sector. Art organizations are (1) often blanket organizations that cannot address this concern for visual artists (2) sometimes offer limited opportunities for the serious individual visual artists (3) have place of residence and location requirements restrictive to a number visual artists. Art fairs do not meet this need by (1) unpredictability of weather (2) limited length of time of exposure (3) cost of travel, fees to apply and enter. Juried contests sometimes to a good degree are funded by the artists, often to see their work rejected. Museum and Universities do not often meet this need (1) often displaying traveling shows which feature a limited number of artists, (2) featuring established artists (3) featuring dead artists.

Museums receiving government grant money could be required to show and purchase a percentage of living less established artists. Another suggestion is to set a price limit on each piece of art purchased using government allocated money.

While some existing endeavors may have a place in the visual arts funding, a large part of the funding needs to be more directly distributed to visual artists and arts groups in economic need who cannot be supported by fund raising, commissions, ticket prices or the members of the group . I believe this is the challenge today to create a truly progressive funding of the arts.

The most successful programs of the New Deal were those that most effectively addressed economic need. There may be a need for similar programs today.
Art districts may address this perhaps more effectively than individual artist’s grants.
Art Districts :
(1)Encourage communities to create arts districts featuring art galleries and studios for less established regional artists

Often cities with art districts used selective zoning to create and preserve art districts and have provided cultural, environmental, and economic advantage to the community. Some of these communities already exist in New Mexico, Oregon, Arizona, Maryland, Florida and other states.

Old out dated zoning , may not only hinder the development of arts districts, but also undermine urban infill.  Boston, Seattle and Denver for example have changed their zoning laws to encourage residential growth in downtown areas.   

The St. Petersburg ( Florida) Times endorsed zoning changes to help downtown revival.  An example of a more creative zoning as you may know is Santa Fe, NM, where businesses such as art galleries can be light commercial (C-2), overlay district (C-4), business capital district (BCD), and industrial.  Zoning such as this could create less expensive commercial zoning.  An existing residential zoned area, such as been done in Prescott AZ for example, could be changed to some kind of art gallery zoning.  This helps a somewhat blighted area become more desirable. 

This kind of zoning has different specifications then that of standard commercial zoning.  Art Galleries tend to have fewer clients at a time, except at times less used by most other businesses. There is as a result less need for extra parking and less need for one public restroom per business.  Santa Fe, NM, for example, uses shared public restrooms.  For these and other reasons this kind of zoning would require less regulation and relaxed codes.   Not only could the cost of leasing and preferably owning a building would be lower, but also the cost creating a business would be less.  The city, as in the case of Fredrick, MD, could waive some business fees.   According to the St Petersburg Times, Fredrick, MD has many times over economically benefited from the creation of an arts district, as have Portland, OR’s  Pearl St. and Alberta St districts and Ashland, OR’s two art districts.

This type of zoning can be applied to both blighted business districts and residential areas that would be useful for art galleries . As noted separate requirements could be established to open these art galleries based on the needs of an art gallery.

A result of this could be affordable spaces for galleries not in competition with larger and richer commercial establishments. It would also benefit building owners who could lease and sell buildings otherwise be left empty or under used. Property might be purchased directly by artists or a small business, or an art agency could buy them and sell them in turn to artists. While selling might be most helpful, long-term leases might be highly effective.

Other ideas include modified residential zone include art galleries, studios and similar small businesses which require a small number of parking spaces, only one or a few art events a month, and limit the amount of sound created by art gallery, studio, community theater or other business. Sales would be allowed. The studio or gallery would be on a paved or well-graveled street approved by the town. The business owner could reside and work in the same place. Residential with business zoning could also be applied to other forms of selective zoning. Also zoning simply called Art Gallery could be established. This would work in small town or any town or city willing to use the program
Please send comments or ideas you have Any ideas for ecconomic need and art contact: Under "comments" to lifetree@futureofaniamls.com
Likely changes in the near future in transportation would add to the effectiveness of more regional art centers in terms of cost, energy sayings and convenience.
Districts could include not only a certain portion designated as performance spaces, but include venues for live music, dance, and other performance art, as well as sites for installations, green spaces, galleries, artisan-quality shops, community-based exhibit spaces, and public school-maintained art spaces for student work. The Art-specific zoning might allow for other types of alternative funding. With the creation of an arts district, a certain percentage could be cordoned off as nonprofit, with the intention of supporting student art, outsider art, folk art, and local need-based art, either together or separately in the form of galleries, shops, and permanent rotating exhibitions. Money could be set aside to purchase art from the art district for permanent state/county/municipal collections near the art district and perhaps other locations. Often people in residential areas near-by appreciate such selective zoning.

Allocate money to support artist's galleries and studios in newly created art districts- very important. Go to next page.

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Who's art & vision is beening lost?
  
One's word can be one's prayer. Prayers are like a ring to a loved one, and an extra blanket off your bed loaned to a guest. Like rings, admire these prayers and the blessings from your prayers. Like blankets, they are to be returned or given to those who need them. These can be the song to another's heart. Even now, the home in your hearts still has one closed door. Let that door be opened."
Just then, Coyote fell through the door behind Wolf. The ring tumbled out from Coyote's toe and fell to the floor. White Wolf continued. "Look at your rings and blankets. Coyote has taken and replaced your blanket and ring with another's. Look beyond her and see what I said is true. To keep but one of your prayers and gifts for yourself is to be like Coyote. Some good may be lost otherwise, and part of the vision will be lost. Then someone, perhaps a child, for lack of vision, will cry in pain, as does Sacred Mountain. Open the blanket of your heart. Let the blanket hold your gifts."
White Wolf pushed the ring toward these of Watcher of the Dogs' children with her paw. She continued. Let the ring come through an opened door rather then take even one ring away as Coyote wished to do. Wolf howled. Her voice echoed from mountain to river and back again many times.
Bone House
from “The Ever Changing Original Story”
 
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