SoHo Arts Council

Political activists form the SoHo Arts Council, Inc., for the specific purposes of protecting the Art and Cultural essence predominantly of the area known as SoHo. The many influences of commercial and residential development in SoHo owe their financial success directly to artists and the work that has been internationally recognized. While there has been commercial success in SoHo especially in the real estate business and in commercial development, little has been given back to the arts and artists. In fact, the success of the international interest has done a great deal to force out the very people and influences that created this artistic influence and desirability as a place to live and work.

As a result, where there were local shops and artists living in working loft spaces, there are now luxury clothiers and $2,000,000 to $3,000,000 living lofts for sale. The remnants of original art and artists are hard to find and the quality of life issues have been denigrated.

Where there were street sculptures, there is now a token park that is a port for the homeless. Where there were wall paintings, there is a car wash that allows the paintings to deteriorate. Where there was SoHo architecture, there are horrendous billboards.

The City of New York has neither the will nor the interest to protect the art or SoHo's cultural heritage. Many of the actions that have occurred or permitted use changes that have been allowed are illegal, but there is no enforcement. Where there were local shops, bars and nightclubs have been allowed to proliferate to the detriment of the SoHo community and residents.

Huge billboards have been allowed to proliferate in an area where art has been denigrated and destroyed by neglect and disinterest.

The SoHo Arts Council, Inc. will use political and financial resources to help preserve our art, influence political and legal entities to maintain the viability of street art and traditional art, and litigate to preserve the cultural and artistic heritage of SoHo.