Buffalo's Booming Arts Scene

Notwithstanding hard financial times for our cultural institutions, Western New York continues to be a great place to be an artist. For young artists, studio space is cheap, occasionally even free, the scene is supportive, and new exhibition spaces are forever popping up. (The Vault, for example, or Sugar City.) There are veteran artists who work in classic media and techniques (sculptor David Derner, for example, and actor Vincent O’Neill) to provide guidance and inspiration, as well as big galleries whose national and international reputations (Hallwalls, the Burchfield, Squeaky Wheel, the Albright-Knox) far outstrip what outsiders might expect of this shrinking, economically challenged region, and help to keep lines open between this region and the art world in other cities.

Our theater community is rich and diverse. Our dance community is growing, too. What better place to be an artist?

—geoff kelly

Nominees listed in no particular order. Winners will be announced at the Artvoice Best of Buffalo Party, Monday, May 9, 6-9pm, at Town Ballroom.

Best of Buffalo 2011 Nominees Our City, Our People The Fine Arts Music Dining Out Shops & Services Nightlife & Drinking The 2011 Winners List