it would be great if there was some kind of affordable downtown artist space/living space... instead of 5,000 condo developments that cost more $ than i've made in my entire life

I think the line between art and profession is blurring a little these days. I consider myself a professional, but yet in my profession, I get paid to draw and make art. So I also consider myself an artist. I can make fine art in my free time, but I don't consider that when thinking of myself as an artist.

I taught a class last year at CCAD (my alma mater) and participated in a lot of discussions about the school and its future. I know for a fact that the school is trying very hard to turn out students that not only have artistic skills, but students that also have some business savvy. I think anyone that wants to make it can certainly make it in the art world on sheer raw talent, but it helps if you have some business sense.

Why spend time squabbling about young professionals vs. young artists? Let's focus on bringing the arts to more people. That's what keeps me in this city. I like what GCAC has done so far and I hope it can go further with the mayor concentrating on it.