Josh Kline's Viral Essay Critiques New York Art World's Unsustainable Economics

In his October 2023 essay titled "New York Real Estate and the Ruin of American Art," Josh Kline examines the deep-rooted challenges facing contemporary art, especially in New York City. He points to escalating expenses, market downturns since late 2023, and existing power disparities as detrimental to artists' sustainability. Drawing from his mid-career retrospective at the Whitney Museum and his 25 years of experience in New York's art landscape, Kline critiques the privilege entrenched in the art community, urging emerging artists to explore opportunities beyond the city. He emphasizes the diminishing presence of genuine artist-run venues like 179 Canal and calls for a critical assessment of the industry, noting that low starting salaries hinder working-class participation while suggesting cities such as Marseille and Lisbon as viable alternatives.