n response to the Dec. 2 Ghost Ship tragedy, a new organization has been formed to build a coalition between a vast network of artists and established organizations, community leaders, activists, policy makers and specialists. We the Artists of the Bay Area (WABA) seeks to facilitate conversations between the creative community and the broader community, advocate on behalf of creative spaces, provide access to resources, and educate the creative community about maintaining safe live/work, studio and event spaces. The creative community is made up of makers, entrepreneurs, artists, innovators, hackers, inventors, technologists and performers. The Bay Area’s history reflects their contributions in driving innovation and creativity that underpins economic and cultural vitality. Over the course of just two days, WABA garnered more than 11,000 signatures in support of these efforts, and the list of signatories continues to grow. WABA representatives are actively reaching out to existing local advocacy groups, seeking to work with those who share the goal of sustaining creative spaces through sensible, practical, and legal solutions.
