This chapter provides a conceptual and theoretical background and ‘sets the scene’ for other chapters in the book. It discusses key terms and ideas recurring in the volume, such as the concept of an artist, as well as the inclusion of artistic professions in broader professional categories. Simultaneously, it aims to offer a comprehensive review of existing literature on the impact of artists on urban transformations, and inquires into the visibility of artists in the discourse on urban development as well as their (often stereotypically defined) roles in the processes of urban change, in particular in the context of contemporary challenges faced by cities in Europe.