Artists and Gentrification: The Problem or the Solution?
Since the 1960s, when the term gentrification was coined, there has been growing concern about the displacement of residents and businesses in favor of wealthier people and the businesses that cater to them. Artists are often viewed as the first wave of gentrification. They come in and move (sometimes illegally) into old industrial spaces and then the galleries come in to sell their work and then the wealthier people come in and price out the artists.
