Henry Street Settlement

“Arts for Living”: Can Artists Survive in New York City?—marked the 10th anniversary of this event series. It also coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Settlement’s community arts center, originally named the “Arts for Living Center” when it was established in 1975 at 466 Grand Street, and now known as the Abrons Arts Center. This year’s panel explored whether New York City can continue to serve as a magnet and incubator for creativity across the visual and performing arts, even as affordable living and working spaces and access to resources become increasingly scarce. Panelists reflected on the history of the Lower East Side—and the city more broadly—as a long-standing haven for artists. They considered how New York has nurtured artistic communities over generations and discussed what will be required to sustain a culture of creativity moving forward.