NEO-BOHEMIA: Art and Commerce in the Postindustrial City

Thursday, September 21, 5:30 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.

Vanderbilt sociologist Richard Lloyd has focused much research on urban transformation in a funky Chicago neighborhood. He calls it “Neo-Bohemia,” and he will talk about his book on the topic, Neo-Bohemia: Art and Commerce in the Postindustrial City. Neo-Bohemia and Global Cities Bohemia is no longer a small and embattled refuge for society’s weirdoes and starving artists. According to Lloyd, it is now an established district in every medium-sized city that drives up real estate prices, and find out how cities are promoting these districts as a lifestyle amenity. Lloyd says some parts of Nashville are going through similar changes.
Professor Lloyd will open September’s Urban Design Forum with an overview of his thesis on Neo-Bohemia, tying it back to observations he has made of the phenomena here in Nashville. Following this T. K. Davis, Design Director, and Helen Davis Johnson of Allied Arts in Chattanooga, will describe Paducah’s Artist Relocation Program and Arts Move Chattanooga, respectively. Nashville Artist Adrienne Outlaw, an advocate for affordable artist work and live/work space, will serve as a respondent to the three presentations.

Could comparable initiatives work here in Nashville? A lively discussion, between panelists and audience, is anticipated.