Do murals cause gentrification?

Gentrification.

As the co-founder of a public art nonprofit, this is a word that I cannot (and should not) ignore. I was crudely reminded of this fact last week when a graffiti tagger decided to air their grievances across the face of our latest mural in the form of the words “NO GENTRIFICATION!” I find it absolutely essential now that I outline the vision of Blank Space Bham, our attitude towards gentrification and the role that art can play in that process.

“Do murals cause gentrification?”

Answering this question is no easy task. First, tackling this would require defining what gentrification actually is and all that it is composed of– a feat even the most highly educated of academics have yet to fully conquer in a complete consensus. The problem lies within the focus. Do we incorporate the causes of gentrification within the definition? Do we zone in on the effects? Do we include the pros and cons? One thing that cannot be ignored, no matter what definition you land on, is the attention towards people. There are undoubtedly those who are better off before gentrification, just as there are those that are better off afterwards– this makes it nearly impossible to place the term as either categorically “good” or “bad” and leaves us with this mushy, ambiguous “both.” In the most basic sense of the word though, the process is most often described as a demographic shift where neighborhoods are transformed from low value to high value.

Within this definition then, saying that murals or public art in general cause gentrification completely neglects any other socioeconomic factors at play. That’s giving too much credit to any singular brushstroke. Yes, it is true that murals and other forms of public art have the ability to contribute towards gentrification, but that contribution is not a definitive “art always gentrifies.” In short– art can enhance, or even transform a place without destroying it.

“So what does cause gentrification?”

Gentrification is the result of a multitude of different processes at work. However, one popular theory suggests the economic dip in our nation’s city cores following the de-industrialization of our market (which contributed to creating economically depressed urban communities) due to the post-industrial shift to the service sector ultimately provided the perfect baseline for gentrification. In the simplest form of a production-side theory vs. consumption side theory, gentrification is the result of a combination of economic and social shifts.

This is not an excuse for the negative aspects of gentrification. There are cities that navigated the transitions of a post-industrial economy more smoothly than others. I merely provide this as a backdrop for understanding where Birmingham stands today– how our past as an industrial hub, shaped our present structure. How the extinguishing of our industrial heart left deep holes, filled by racial tension and other social inequities.

As our city has worked towards healing from our past, we’ve been met with the same fight, but with a different name. Neighborhoods primed with the ingredients for accelerated gentrification find themselves in the crosshairs of communities fighting for who they once were and how others wish them to be. And yes, it’s undeniable that art and artists are often citied as potential “pioneer” gentrifiers being attracted to the urban core for all the same reasons as our city dwelling predecessors. Call it a result of disenfranchisement with a seemingly “unattached” life that is all too common a phenomenon in suburbs, but we find ourselves pulled back to the promise of vibrancy and diversity that one often finds in the city.

And here within lies the problem–the issue of gentrification is not with new people looking to move into a new neighborhood, but with the displacement of those whom first called it home. Unfortunately a lack of a developed urban housing stock and a tight renters market means that new people moving in can, quickly and (relatively) cheaply change the entire face of a neighborhood, increasing perceived property values and forcing out locals along the way. I cannot think of a single person though who looks down their nose at decreased crime rates or better ranking schools that often accompany gentrification. I cannot come up with a single name of a person who would prefer their block to be covered with trash rather than beautiful works of art, or would be disappointed to see their local businesses grow. I can however, list name after name of those that I know don’t wish to lose their family home simply because an artisanal cocktail bar opened up down the block. It enrages me to think that it is wealth that achieves “pros” when it comes to gentrification. It breaks my heart to realize that as a society, we value things most when we can see a return on investment–that a neighborhood would seemingly not be found valuable within its own merit until the “right” people moved in. That’s when things start happening though, isn’t it? That’s when the schools change. That’s when the grocery stores come and the potholes get fixed.

Or that’s how it usually goes…but it doesn’t have to. What if “gentifiers” and “locals” worked together? What if we examined our communities and decided that moving forward was not an “if” statement, but “when.” It’s not impossible. What if we channeled our anger and fear into productivity? What if we lobbied our local officials into not just creating tax incentives for potential developers, but also new zoning ordinances that stimulated partnerships with preexisting local businesses? What if, as a community, we pushed for land trusts, private/public partnerships, rent caps, or infill housing? What if we showed we cared for one another despite our class or zip code? I know we can.

“Blank Space Bham seeks to reclaim public space, strengthen communities, foster creativity, and advocate for the (re)development of inclusive urban environments through the transformative power of public art.”

That is the mission of Blank Space. That is the mission that guides every project we approach, and every dream we dare to dream for our nonprofit. We acknowledge the strength and beauty of Birmingham’s communities. We admire the artistry and creativity of her people. We look forward to her future and have learned from her past. We want to do all of this in partnership. We desire to do this not just for Birmingham, but with Birmingham.

So I’ve just got a few things to say to whomever defaced our mural…

You want to fight negative change? Join us. Help us develop our community workshops. Reach out to us so we can engage in meaningful, productive dialogues about what you want to see in your community. Speak to your city counsel representative. Volunteer at your local community center. Invest in your neighborhood. Fight the system.

Art is not the enemy. Blank Space is not your enemy. As journalist Christian Detres once said:

Art is validation of our humanity and its destruction causes a collective ache you have no right to cause. If you have not the wit to create a statement alongside it, equal to, or better than it– mocking it if you so choose — then leave it alone. There is no excuse or merit in its destruction.

We’ve seen you. We’ve heard you. Now please, let us be seen. Let us be heard.

Let us do our part for Birmingham.

Sincerely,

Meghan McCollum, Co- founder of Blank Space Bham