Showing Up for the Arts: My First City Hall Rally

Today, I attended my first-ever NYC City Hall rally, a press event for the Artist Housing Bill. After years of advocacy from groups like the Entertainment Community Fund, IndieSpace, and others, Council Members Powers and Bottcher are introducing legislation that would lower the barriers to creating artist housing in NYC.

The bill basically says that housing programs that give preference to artists don’t violate human rights laws about employment discrimination. It might sound small, but it’s a big deal. It means more opportunities for creatives like us to have access to stable, affordable housing in the city that inspires our work.

The invite came through New Yorkers for Culture & Arts (NY4CA), and I’m so glad I went.

Council Member Keith Powers giving opening speech.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how passive I’ve been when it comes to politics and the policies that affect artists. So many bills get passed or declined every day, and it’s easy to feel like none of it has to do with you. But the truth is, it does. Especially when you’re an artist living in New York City, trying to build a creative life and survive at the same time.

As someone who still lives with family and works a part-time job outside of my art business, I know firsthand how difficult it is to make it work here. New York is the art hub of the world, like Andre De Shields said at the rally, “New York is the art hub of the Universe.” Yet so many of us can barely afford to stay in the very city that shaped us.

André De Shields as one of the speakers.

Born and raised in the Bronx, I’ve never once thought about leaving. This city raised me to be an artist. But it’s heartbreaking to see how unaffordable it’s become.

I only had my own apartment once, for about ten months. During that time, I was juggling multiple jobs: working at an art store, figure modeling, selling art, taking freelance gigs, and doing art handling work. I was exhausted. I’d shower, sleep a few hours, and wake up to do it all over again. I was working constantly just to afford a small basement apartment I barely had time to enjoy.

That experience made me realize how unsustainable things are for artists here, and why showing up to events like this one matters.

When I got the NY4CA email about the rally, I decided to just go. No expectations, no plans, just curiosity.

And I’ll be real: even though I’m a social bug, I kept to myself the whole time. I just stood there, listening.

But the speeches… they hit me. The energy, the passion, the love for art and community, it reminded me that there are people out here fighting for us. It made me feel hopeful.

I know passing this kind of legislation won’t be easy. But it’s worth paying attention to, worth supporting, worth showing up for. Because if we want to keep artists in New York, not pushed out of it, we have to keep the conversation going.

Setting up

Here’s a little more context on what’s happening with artist housing in NYC:

There isn’t just one “artist housing bill”, it’s a few different efforts working together to make the city more livable for artists.

New York City Arts Space Act (S9919):
This bill gives developers tax incentives to include affordable art spaces in their buildings. It’s about creating long-term, affordable studios and cultural spaces that stay accessible to artists and organizations.

Loft Bill (S8793):
This protects people living in converted lofts, even if they’re not certified artists — as long as they’ve lived there since before a certain date. It’s a way to keep long-term residents from being displaced.

Affordable Real Estate for Artists (AREA) Initiative:
This city program aims to create 1,500 units of affordable housing and 500 units of artist workspace over 10 years. It’s a partnership between several city agencies trying to make affordable artist living a real thing, not just an idea.

WFF Housing Stability Grant (through NYFA):
This grant provides $30,000 over three years to help artists cover housing costs and maintain stability, something so many of us desperately need.

Manhattan City Council’s new proposal:
This one’s exciting; it would make it easier for new affordable housing developments to include an artist preference in their applications. Meaning: more buildings intentionally designed to support working artists.

These programs and bills might sound technical, but they represent real hope. Hope that artists like me, and maybe you, can continue to create, live, and thrive in the city we love.

I left that rally feeling grounded and inspired. Sometimes “showing up” just means standing quietly in a crowd, listening, and learning. But that’s where change starts.