Are You a Strathcona Artist With an Opinion on Gentrification?

LiveInStrathcona received an inquiry from the University of Alberta regarding a gentrification research project. Please review the email introduction and questionnaire and contact them directly to take part and have your voice heard.

Research Deadline: Thursday, May 8

I’m a student at the University of Alberta investigating the effects of gentrification on artists in Kitsilano and Strathcona for an urban geography field study. I'm writing to ask if you would be interested in participating in our study as an interviewee, whether face to face or by phone/email.

Interviews will likely last about 20-30 minutes, depending on your answers. If conducted in person, we will be audio-recording the interview to ensure accuracy. We’ll be using your responses in a paper and presentation for the course. We will do all we can to ensure that your responses remain confidential, although there is still a small chance that you might be identifiable. You will have the right to end the interview at any time and to refuse to answer any questions.

We are currently in Vancouver until Saturday, May 3 inclusive, and we'll be here again from Wednesday May 7 – Thursday, May 8 inclusive. We're also available by phone and email at most times of day until May 8. If a phone or face to face interview would be inconvenient for you, we have included a list of questions that you can answer and email to us by Thursday, May 8. If you’'d like to be interviewed, or if you have any questions, please contact me at a.macdonald@ualberta.ca or by phone at 780 504 4907.


Thanks very much for your time!

Best wishes,

Amy Macdonald

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RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Some notes:

• We are defining "art" and "artists" broadly to include dancers, musicians, etc. as well as visual artists.
• Gentrification has many definitions; one of these states that it involves "the transition of inner-city neighbourhoods from a status of relative poverty and limited property investment" to a state of increased interest and investment (David Ley (2003), "Artists, Aestheticisation and the Field of Gentrification", Urban Studies 40(12): 2527-2544, p. 2527).
• Feel free to answer all, some, or none of the questions below.

1. Please tell us a bit about yourself:

• what kind of art you create
• which neighbourhoods you currently live and work in, and for how long

2. In your experience, has gentrification changed the availability, affordability, and quality of housing and artistic spaces (studios, venues, rehearsal spaces) in Strathcona or Kitsilano? If so, how?

3. In your experience, has gentrification affected events and festivals organized by the artistic communities in Strathcona or Kitsilano? If so, how?

4. In your experience, has gentrification changed the aesthetic qualities of the built environment (buildings, parks, streets, sidewalks) in Strathcona or Kitsilano? If so, how?

5. In your experience, what are the positive and negative consequences of gentrification for artists in Strathcona? In Kitsilano?

6. Please add any other thoughts you'd like to share with us on gentrification and artists in Kitsilano and Strathcona.

Thanks very much for your time!