This year’s Lillian Wald Symposium at Abrons Playhouse Theater will focus on a question we’ve all been asking for a while now – “Can artists survive in New York City?” As the costs of living here keep going up, it can feel almost impossible to imagine how artists from all walks of life can manage the day to day challenges of paying the rent and putting food on the table.
The event takes place on Wednesday, April 9th from 6p – 8p, and is organized by Henry Street Settlement public historian Katie Vogel in honor of Henry Street founder Lillian Wald’s “tradition of convening people from all walks of life to discuss and find solutions to the most pressing problems in our community.”
They write: “This year, our panelists will discuss whether New York City can remain a magnet and incubator for creativity across the visual and performing arts at a time when affordable living/working space and access to resources continue to shrink in the city. Panelists will look back at the history of the Lower East Side, and NYC more generally, as a haven for artists, address how and why this city has nurtured artist communities for so long, and discuss what is needed to sustain a culture of creativity today.”
The evening will be moderated by Valentina Di Liscia, news editor of Hyperallergic. Panelists include:
– Maura Cuffie-Peterson, director of strategic initiatives, guaranteed income, Creatives Rebuild New York
– Anne del Castillo, senior policy advisor, creative sector strategy, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs
– Ashley Ferro-Murray, arts program director, Doris Duke Foundation
– Nile Harris, Abrons Arts Center Performance AIRspace resident, 2022–23
– Sharon Zukin, sociologist and author
You can register for free here.
