ArtSpace Cleveland Makes a Difference: Cleveland’s Live-Work Zoning Ordinance Allowed Warehouses to be Converted to Lofts
Im agine a place where artists can live and work in converted warehouses or factories in a great neighborhood. In 2001, the Cleveland City Council enacted the Live-Work Overlay District Zoning Ordinance to encourage development of artist spaces and to establish an artist studio district. Councilman Joe Cimperman spearheaded the creation of the LWO District Zoning Ordinance, with input from ArtSpace-Cleveland and support from the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture.
In 2002, St. Clair/Superior (East 18 to East 65) became the city’s first legally zoned Live-Work Overlay District. Now known as the Arts Quarter, the District is home to over 60 artists living and working in 13 buildings. Demand for space in the Arts Quarter is growing as artists are attracted to the city and its museums, galleries and events. Visiting an artist’s studio gives the public a chance to see the process behind the product—sculpting, painting, crafting and photographing— that eventually results in what you see in a gallery or boutique. Open studio tours in the Arts Quarter include City Artists at Work, SPARX in the City, Zygote Press, Tower Press, TAP Studios, Terra Vista Pottery Studio and the ArtSpace- Cleveland annual Trolley Tour of Artist Live/ Work Studios.
ArtSpace Cleveland is here to help artists, empty spaces, and potential clients all find each other.