The Creative Policy Network transforms heritage sites into community-owned cultural infrastructure, developing affordable live-work spaces and cultural facilities while empowering local nonprofits to lead programming. We preserve places, build wealth, and catalyze cultural and economic revitalization through authentic partnerships..

This portal is designed to create a waitlist of creative and cultural workforce members and organizations seeking affordable live-work and cultural spaces.

The Creative Policy Network (CPN) is developing the Cultural Land Network (CLN) — a connected ecosystem of properties that revitalizes underutilized assets into affordable live-work spaces and community hubs, preserving architecture while preventing displacement and building collective wealth.

THE PROBLEM

  • •Housing costs up nearly 40% since 2020; 71% of cultural spaces face unstable leases.

  • •The creative workforce faces combined living + working costs of nearly $2,800/month in Austin.

  • •Austin demolished 5M sq ft of buildings (2010-2021); 655,000 tons of construction waste in 2020.

  • •Only 16% of Austin's landmarks reflect BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, or women's history.

  • •Creative economy generates $4.3B annually, supporting 21,000 jobs.

  • •30% of creative professionals may leave Austin due to unaffordability.

Current Projects

  • Hackberry ARts

    East Austin | Partnership with Hall Burnis & Lee Family Trust

    Transforming two heritage residential structures into affordable live-work spaces and community programming hubs. This project honors the profound legacy of Lt. Colonel Burnis Lee Hall Jr.—a distinguished Prairie View A&M graduate, decorated Vietnam War veteran, and beloved Austin Community College educator—and his wife Lee Cradia Hall, who exemplified the community-building spirit that makes East Austin a place of resilience and collective prosperity. Hackberry Arts creates affordable artist studios, a community gallery, and gathering spaces while building pathways for cultural workers to thrive in the neighborhood their families helped build.

  • Reji Thomas Live-Work Community Hub

    South Austin | Partnership with Artist Reji Thomas

    In partnership with legendary artist Reji Thomas, whose Pine Street Station (1979-2014) served as the beating heart of East Austin's creative renaissance. Pine Street Station welcomed "80s gypsy artists" and hosted major SXSW showcases featuring artists like Kanye West and Amy Winehouse. This project transforms Reji's current property into a live-work hub with artist studios, community museum space, and cultural programming while positioning her as a foundational partner in Austin's first cultural real estate network.