The New York Times has an article on how a Catholic church in Greenpoint is using their closed down school building as a haven for artists, a location for film shoots, and gallery space. It is frustrating in NYC to see unused space that decays until some seedy developer comes along to make more huge profit. The fact that this parish is allowing artists to make whatever donation to use the space is remarkable.
St. Cecilia's
and on the other hand a artist haven in LIC is set to be demolished soon... 5Pointz...
from Gothamist:  5 Pointz