“The exodus of artists from Santa Monica has been both rapid and dramatic. When consultants hired to gauge the extent of the problem conducted a survey of artists’ spaces in May, there were 156 live/work and studio spaces left in the city. After the report on “Strategies To Preserve and Enhance Affordable Artist Housing and Studio Space” was typed up, the number had dropped to 117. By the time the final draft was presented to Santa Monica’s Arts Commission on July 10, there were only 78 studios left, half the number just two months ago.” – LA Weekly