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August 2009 Paducah Adds to Artists' Incentives in LowerTown Arts District |
 PADUCAH, Ky. - Paducah's LowerTown Arts District has been the center of national media attention over the past eight years, since the inception of the city's Artist Relocation Program in 2001 developed by the City's Planning Department. Over 50 artists and 23 galleries have made their home in the district and artists continue to flood the city reviewing available properties and incentives to relocate.
The national economic crisis has taken a toll on businesses and individuals across the country. The national creative community also feels the effects of these challenging economic times. The Paducah Renaissance Alliance, a national Main Street program, has made great strides to protect the creative community that exists in the LowerTown Arts District in Paducah. In fact, in June 2009, the organization solicited the City Commission to approve additional incentives that would be available to professional artists and restaurateurs desiring to set up their studios, galleries and restaurants in Paducah's LowerTown Arts District. The City's leaders and elected officials, eager to support and encourage further development of the arts district, approved the incentives with the hopes of making an artist's and restaurateur's relocation to Paducah an economically viable one. The incentives available to qualifying artists include moving assistance, start-up assistance, acquisition assistance, and assistance with structural rehabilitation costs. There is also restaurant assistance for restaurateurs looking to add to the neighborhood's unique flavor.  The LowerTown Arts District is zoned for both residential and commercial use, allowing artists to own their home as well as their studio space rather than having to pay rent, as many would have to do in more metropolitan areas. Professional artists who have relocated to Paducah are now able to focus on the creation of art. Painter, Paul Lorenz, and printmaker, Freda Fairchild, each came to Paducah to create art and have found the creative community in the district inspiring, challenging them to be more innovative in their work. "Before moving here I had no reason to get out of my comfort zone. Moving here shattered my comfort zone," said Lorenz. "I'm embracing various art forms and growing in the process, while living as a community." Lorenz moved to LowerTown from Chicago and now owns Studio Mars. "I'm refreshed by new thought and challenged by the different directions art can take. We all have something to gain from one another in this community," said Lorenz.  Fairchild also lives and works in the district. She owns Studio Miska and is available to demonstrate the art of printmaking to visitors, as well as to mentor artists seeking to learn more about the art. "Paducah is unique. It's more sophisticated than you would think," said Fairchild. "We are surrounded by a very supportive group of citizens who are open to new ideas. The most important thing in an arts community is the art. We are able to focus on making art." Artists who qualify for the incentives can receive up to $2,500 in relocation expenses and may be reimbursed for up $2,500 in business start up fees. Start up fees can include, but are not limited to, utility hook ups, professional fees, signage, business cards and marketing costs. Up to $5,000 of assistance is available to artists seeking structural rehabilitation funds. Acquisition assistance up to $15,000 is available to qualifying artists and can be used to offset the cost of purchasing the property.  Local restaurants, also a vital part of Paducah's creative community, have a natural home in the LowerTown Arts District. Restaurant assistance is available up to $25,000 for the development of a restaurant in the city's Renaissance Area, with a preference for location in the LowerTown Arts District. Available properties include living and work space for studios, galleries, unique lodging accommodations, and restaurants. A complete list of available properties can be viewed at www.paducaharts.com. For more information on the Artist Relocation Program or artists' incentives, please contact Jessica Perkins at 270.444-5168 or jessica.perkins@ci.paducah.ky.us. |
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