4. Curators of Cool: Creative Tourism and the Gentrification of Wynwood

• In Event: 408 - Visual Media Poster Presentation

Abstract

Creative tourism in South Florida is a growing and popular industry often resulting from the gentrification of urban areas, inviting new forms of consumer economies. Over a short time span, Miami’s Wynwood district has transformed from a run-down neighborhood and garment district to an urban center of the arts in South Florida, hosting art events such as Art Basel on an annual basis. The gentrification and resulting creative tourist industry success of urban areas begs the question: Who are the “curators of cool”? The transformation of once-urban neighborhoods into spectacles of art and music that invite tourism, artists, locals, investors, and new forms of consumerism leads me to propose research asking questions related to the theme of who has the right to the urban space, including: How does gentrification contribute to urban tourism in South Florida, specifically art festivals? The urbanization and creative tourism literature suggest that the creation of urban creative tourist spaces are a collective process involving artists, patrons, and the displacement of residents, but greatly improves South Florida’s political economy. Based on the literature review, more research should be conducted in regards to who is considered an artist. The answers to these questions provide new perspectives on the transformation of Wynwood and contribute new literature on how art festivals invite creative urban tourism.

Authors

• Emily V Cleary, Florida Atlantic University

• Lacey Langlois, Florida Atlantic University