Read our August Newsletter to learn more about purchasing tickets for our 2021 State of the Arts Summit, and meet our newest AFLA team members!

Arts for LA’s annual series of Community Strategy Sessions is in full swing. Thank you to all who joined us for our first Community Strategy Session on Affordable Space last week. There are still three more opportunities to share your experience and help shape our 2022 policy and advocacy agenda.

These Community Strategy Sessions will culminate at our virtual State of the Arts Summit: Solidarity for Sustainability on Thursday October 14, 2021. We hope you will join us.

Buy Tickets Now >

Arts for LA’s organizational members receive one free ticket to the State of the Arts Summit. You can renew your organization’s membership here; if you have any questions, email our team here.

Arts for LA is growing! We are excited to introduce two new team members Robin Gilliam, our Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, and Melissa Flores, our Leadership Development Manager. We also onboarded our 2021 Laura Zucker Fellow, Erika Hirugami, whose research will examine resources and opportunities for undocumented artists in LA. Learn more about them all below.

Lastly, Arts for LA has been tracking closely and advocating for two key state bills, SB 805 (Rubio) and the Arts for LA and California Arts Advocates co-sponsored bill, SB 628 (Allen). Both bills made it out of the Suspense file and will head down to the Assembly Floor and then to the Governor’s desk. Stay tuned for more opportunities to advocate for the arts, including these two state bills and the final vote for LA County’s Public Art in Private Development Ordinance scheduled in two weeks.

Onward!

Gustavo Herrera
Chief Executive Officer

CONNECT.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD AT OUR 2021 COMMUNITY STRATEGY SESSIONS!
Free, virtual, and open to all, these events are essential in shaping our advocacy for the coming year. Join us to explore how we can collectively build a local arts and culture ecosystem that unapologetically centers equity and the well-being of our region’s artist-leaders and arts workers.

THERE ARE THREE COMMUNITY STRATEGY SESSIONS LEFT:
10:30 AM | TODAY August 31 – Arts Education

Focuses on the state of arts ed in the broader LA region. Together, we will learn about the most urgent challenges facing students, arts educators, and community-based orgs, as well as strategize new models to ensure every student can access the arts education.

10:30 AM | September 8 – Creative Jobs

Focuses on the impact of the pandemic on the diversity & equity of the region’s creative workforce. Together, we will learn more about the most urgent challenges facing artists & arts workers, as well as explore new models that center our sector’s most important resource – its people.

10:30 AM | September 14 – Resources + Capital

Focuses on the impact of the pandemic on the stability and sustainability of our sector. Together, we will learn more about the most urgent challenges facing artists & organizations attempting to recover, as well as explore new models that center our sector’s most important resource – its people.

Then, join us at our virtual conference, the 2021 State of the Arts Summit on Thursday, October 14! Tickets are on sale now. Click the button below to purchase tickets. This year’s event – Solidarity for Sustainability -brings together cross-sector visionaries experimenting with new models and structures that center equity, sustainability, and prioritize the arts & culture sector’s most valuable resource – its people. Check out highlights from our 2020 State of the Arts Summit at the video here.

Organizational members of Arts for LA receive one free admission to the 2021 State of the Arts Summit. Click here to renew your organization’s membership, and email events@artsforla.org to receive your complimentary admission.

The 2021 Arts for LA State of the Arts Summit is sponsored by:

Bank of America, the LA City Department of Cultural Affairs, the Hollywood Chamber Foundation, Claremont Graduate University’s Center for Business and Management of the Arts, and Agora Realty.

LEARN.

We are thrilled to announce our 2021 Laura Zucker Fellow, Erika Hirugami, MAAB, Founder and CEO of CuratorLove. Erika’s research will examine resources and opportunities for undocumented artists in LA.

Hirugami holds an MA in Art Business from the Sotheby’s Institute of Art, in conjunction with the Drucker School of Management and Getty Leadership Institute at Claremont Graduate University. Additionally, Hirgami holds multiple BAs from UCLA in the fields of Art History, Chicano Studies, and Mexican Studies. She is currently a doctoral candidate at UCLA, where she challenges the convergence of transnational aesthetics with a special focus on critical race theory through the undocumented experience.

As a Getty and Kress Foundation Fellow, Hirugami has developed curatorial statements at museums across Mexico and United States. After being a Public Art Curator for the Department of Cultural Affairs for the City of Los Angeles, Hirugami became the Curatorial Director for the Ronald McDonald House Charities, as well as the Curatorial Director for various galleries while becoming a visiting Lecturer for Universities across the US. She has curated exhibitions for multiple spaces across the globe, and her written work has been published internationally.

LEAD.

On August 21, 2021, Long Beach Vice Mayor Rex Richardson, in partnership with Young Invincibles and Arts for LA, unveiled the THRIVE 90805 mural on the corner of Artesia and Atlantic Avenue in Long Beach!

Painted by muralist VLAD, we are proud and honored to be involved with this project, and look forward to more!

Visit this incredible mural, and send us a picture for a chance to be featured on our website and social media!

We are so excited to introduce you to our two newest team members! Meet our Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, Robin Gilliam, and our Leadership Development Manager, Melissa Flores.

Robin Gilliam joined Arts for LA in August 2021. In her previous role as an External Affairs Associate for the California Department of Justice, she represented the Office of the Attorney General in policy and public affairs issues, from civil rights to environmental justice, facing Southern California communities. In other roles, Robin served as the Program Manager for the Compton Jr Posse managing day-to-day operations of the youth development program, private consultant to non-profit organizations focused on strategic outreach and engagement, and guest advisor for arts and communication courses at Otis College of Art and Design and the University of Southern California. Early in her career she interned in the Public Art Division of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and the Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC).

Robin brings a background steeped in values of equity, access, justice and creativity, and believes strongly in the power of diversity and durable relationships in fostering critical change. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art from the University of Southern California and a Master of City Planning from the University of California, Berkeley. Robin is an avid equestrian and in her spare time can be found at the ranch with her horse, or diving deeper into her yoga practice.

Melissa Flores is a program and operations specialist with demonstrated experience interacting with diverse community members and creating positive relationships to further various program outreach. Prior to Arts for LA, Melissa worked with the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator where she helped curate their member experience and bring its community together virtually. Melissa has also worked at The Gabriella Foundation, spearheading various projects including the expansion of their summer camp program to low-resource communities in Los Angeles. Melissa has a diverse art foundation having been a dancer for 15+ years, studied film at Santa Clara University and appointed co-chair of the Leadership Council of Emerging Arts Leaders, Los Angeles.

In her downtime, Melissa can be found rooting for her favorite sports team (Go Clippers!), ambitiously working on her running pace and exploring all kinds of food in Los Angeles.

ARTS FOR LA IS FUNDED BY:

and the generous support of Organizational and Individual Members like you.

Read on for exciting updates, including an announcement for our 2021 State of the Arts Summit!

We hope you are enjoying your summer. On Tuesday, July 27, the LA County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a spending plan that includes over $22 MILLION for arts and culture. Thank you to this network of advocates who have worked tirelessly to make this happen. Take a look at some of our 2021 ACTIVATE Delegates advocating for American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding to be allocated to arts and culture in a meeting with Supervisor Holly Mitchell. We thank all LA County Supervisors for unanimously voting in support of the ARP spending plan.

We are also elated to announce the dates of the 2021 State of the Arts Summit! This year’s summit is a series of events that will kick-off with four virtual Community Strategy Sessions (August 24, 31, and September 8, 14) – each focused on one of our four policy areas. We will also host an in-person networking event on Saturday, October 9, public health guidelines permitting.

These community events will culminate in our annual State of the Arts Summit on Thursday, October 14. Join us for a digital gathering featuring a line-up of incredible artists, civic leaders, and community members. More information and registration coming soon!

Finally, we are thrilled to announce an exciting new initiative in LA County. Over the past two years, Arts for LA’s Development and Operations Manager, KC Buller, has been serving on the advisory board of TeenTix LA, working to support the launch of the LA chapter of the Seattle-based organization. TeenTix works to remove barriers preventing youth from accessing cultural opportunities by providing free and affordable tickets to any teen who wants them.

Read on for more info about this partnership, as well as for details about the 2021 State of the Arts Summit!

Onward!

Gustavo Herrera
Chief Executive Officer

CONNECT.

Arts for LA is thrilled to announce the dates for our 2021 State of the Arts Summit!

Join us for a series of six events, both virtual and in-person. As we reflect on all we were able to accomplish this year with your community leadership, we also look forward to the work we have ahead. We will again host our Community Strategy Sessions, inviting you, our arts advocates in the community, to share with us your most pressing concerns.

Community Strategy Sessions (Virtual – Free!)

Aug 24, 2021 | 10:30am – Affordable Space
Aug 31, 2021 | 10:30am – Arts Education
Sept 8, 2021 | 10:30am – Creative Jobs
Sept 14, 2021 | 10:30am – Resources and Capital
In LA County and beyond, artists have emerged as critical leaders in the fight for a more just society. The 2021 State of the Arts Summit explores how the LA region’s creative sector – individual stakeholders, cultural organizations, and funders alike – can best support and accelerate the work of creative changemakers. Join us to explore how we can collectively build a local arts and culture ecosystem that unapologetically centers equity and the well-being of artists-leaders and arts workers serving LA’s communities.

State of the Arts Summit (Tickets Required)

Oct 9, 2021- In-person networking event
Oct 14, 2021- Virtual conference
We are pleased to share that we have added an in-person networking event to the slate of State of the Arts programming. We know that one of the most popular aspects of the Summit is the chance to connect with arts and culture professionals from across the region, and we didn’t want to miss out on that this year.

Save the dates above, and stay connected to our social media, registration opens soon!

LEARN.

Thursday, August 12 | 9 AM – 12 PM.

The LA County Arts Datathon brings people together to explore how we can use data to improve access to arts and culture for everyone. The theme in 2021 is STORYTELLING, and will focus on ways to use data from the LA County Arts Ed Profile and other sources to talk about how we experience, value, and utilize arts education. There will be three breakout sessions to choose from, for K-12 educators, advocates, and youth.

Who should attend? Data geeks and the data curious, artists, and anyone who cares about arts education, including teachers and administrators, teaching artists, parents, advocates, school board members, and youth.

Make or Break: Race and Ethnicity in Entry-Level Compensation for Arts Administrators in Los Angeles County

In May, the LA County Department of Arts and Culture in partnership with Claremont Graduate University’s Center for Business and Management of the Arts, published a groundbreaking study: Make or Break: Race and Ethnicity in Entry-Level Compensation for Arts Administrators in Los Angeles County.

Authored by 2020 ACTIVATE Innovator Cobi Krieger and Bronwyn Mauldin, this study looks at earnings, debt, and other forms of financial support for entry-level arts administrators, finding troubling differences between BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) arts administrators and their White counterparts.

Building on the quantitative findings, this study dug deeper, conducting interviews to understand how those earnings and differences are experienced in the daily lives of the people who, despite the challenges they face, pursue a career in the arts.

We include some key findings in the graphics above, and click the button below to download the full report to review the other staggering findings, and recommendations for change.

Full Report >

LEAD.

LA County Board of Supervisors Allocates $22 Million to Arts and Culture

On Tuesday July 27, the LA County Board of Supervisors (BOS) voted unanimously to approve a plan that includes over $22 MILLION for arts and culture. This network of advocates has been working tirelessly to make this happen – thank you to the almost 1,000 of you who submitted public comment in support of this investment over the past few months!

This vote provides:

$12M for Arts Relief and Recovery Grants to Nonprofits and Individuals.
$5M for Creative Works Jobs for Artists.
$1.9M for a Reopening Culture, Tourism, and Marketing Initiative.
$1.6M for Creative Career Pathways for Youth.
$1.5M for Arts for Justice Involved Youth.
$750K for an Arts Education Program for Vulnerable LA County Schools.
Read the American Rescue Plan Spending Plan Summary here.

Introducing TeenTix Los Angeles

Seattle nonprofit organization TeenTix is excited to announce a new partnership with Los Angeles arts leaders, increasing arts and culture accessibility for teens along the West Coast. For the past 17 years, TeenTix has led the way on furthering regional arts and culture accessibility, youth leadership and arts coverage for teens in the Greater Puget Sound area. Now, TeenTix announces the launch of TeenTix LA, a partnership intended to decrease barriers preventing youth in L.A. County from accessing the rich cultural opportunities available to them by providing any teen, regardless of where they live, a personalized TeenTix Pass to purchase a $5 ticket to any event held by any TeenTix Partner in Seattle or Los Angeles.

In partnership with more than 70 regional arts organizations, TeenTix ensures equitable arts access for all young people and empowers young people to engage in civic life through the arts. TeenTix exists to break down the barriers that prevent teens from accessing art in our community, such as ticket or admission cost, not knowing where to look for events, navigating transportation around the city or feeling insecure about arts-going.

TeenTix LA recently brought on program director Allison Whorton, who will lead the charge in building vital partnerships with arts and community-based organizations in Los Angeles.

“I am thrilled to be joining the TeenTix team and to be a part of such an important initiative that will create equitable access to the arts for the teenagers of Los Angeles County,” says Whorton. “As arts spaces continue to make plans for reopening, I am excited to forge relationships with organizations that will help young people experience the incredible arts and culture opportunities in Los Angeles.”

To learn more about how to get involved with TeenTix LA, visit la.teentix.org.

ARTS FOR LA IS FUNDED BY:

and the generous support of Organizational and Individual Members like you.

EMBRACE COLLABORATION! WE ARE THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THIS PARTNERSHIP WITH SUSTAINABILITY AT ITS HEART.

We are thrilled to announce this partnership with sustainability at its heart.

Emerging Arts Leaders/Los Angeles will be strengthened by Arts for LA’s resources, network, and organizational infrastructure while Arts for LA will proactively integrate a new generation of arts leaders into our advocacy work.

Together, Arts for LA and EAL/LA can best fulfill our shared goal of training, educating, and inspiring the professional development and advocacy of generations of arts leaders from across the region.

Emerging Arts Leaders/Los Angeles and Arts for LA share a deep commitment to supporting a diverse, thriving creative workforce in the LA region. Through this collaboration, we hope to further invest in the arts community, center the voices of artists and arts professionals, and rebuild a creative sector that supports all arts workers.

As we work to integrate EAL/LA into our programming, we are dedicated to growing the skills of individual leaders, ingraining advocacy at every step of their development, and building a network of new leaders who can propel institutional and systemic change that advances cultural and racial equity for the entire sector.

We are very excited to get started and are partnering with the Nonprofit Sustainability Initiative and Envision Consulting, stay tuned!

Read on for our June updates and exciting announcements.

Arts for LA is growing! We are thrilled to announce that Emerging Arts Leaders, LA is now officially a program of Arts for LA – read on for more info about how our communities are coming together. Arts for LA is also expanding its core team, hiring several new positions to support our ongoing advocacy, leadership development, and community building.

Additionally, over the coming months we will be on-boarding the 2021 Laura Zucker Fellow – applications are open!

As we look to this next chapter, we could not be more proud of all this community has accomplished. We are also excited about the work ahead and need your help to continue building community power for our creative communities. Become a member today to help us meet our $18,000 fundraising goal.

Onward!

Gustavo Herrera
Executive Director

LEAD.

Arts for LA’s co-sponsored bill, the Creative Workforce Development Act (SB 628) continues to make its way through the CA State legislative process. Earlier this week, Arts for LA provided lead witness testimony in support of SB 628, and it passed through the Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports Tourism and Internet Media and the Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment; it is now on its way to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.This step is critical to ensuring the bill is funded.

A growing coalition of arts organizations, unions, and advocacy organizations support this landmark legislation, including:

SAG-AFTRA
Pen America
Directors Guild
Actor’s Equity
CA Alliance for Arts Education
San Bernardino Symphony
Ophelia’s Jump
Santa Cruz County Arts Council
Arts Orange County
Music Changing Lives
San Jose County Arts Advocates
Silicon Valley Creates
The Latino Arts Network of CA
The Music Center
If your organization is interested in joining this coalition to endorse this critical bill, contact Director of Organizing Cordelia Istel.

Just as importantly, you can support the passage of the Creative Workforce Development Act by becoming a member of Arts for LA today.

Become a Member

CONNECT.

EXCITING NEWS: EMERGING ARTS LEADERS/LOS ANGELES IS BECOMING A PROGRAM OF ARTS FOR LA!

The integration of EAL/LA into Arts for LA will strengthen the resources, trainings, and institutional foundation of EALLA’s programming while bringing a new generation of arts leaders to the advocacy work of Arts for LA.

Emerging Arts Leaders/Los Angeles and Arts for LA have worked together for years as we share a commitment to the Los Angeles art community and many members. As EAL/LA examined strategies to continue expanding our impact and enter a new phase of organizational development, it was clear that partnering with AFLA would be the right move. We are excited to continue our work preparing, educating, and inspiring the next generation of art sector leadership as a program of Arts for LA.

– Claudia de Vasco, Managing Director, Emerging Arts Leaders/Los Angeles

Emerging Arts Leaders/Los Angeles and Arts for LA share a deep commitment to supporting a diverse, thriving creative workforce in the LA region. Through this partnership, we hope to further invest in the arts community, center the voices of artists and arts professionals, and rebuild a creative sector that supports all arts workers.

Arts for LA is excited to announce the next phase of our growth alongside Claudia and Emerging Arts Leaders of Los Angeles, by integrating the organization and its vibrant community into the passionate Arts for LA network. As we integrate EAL/LA into our programming, we are dedicated to growing the skills of individual leaders, ingraining advocacy at every step of their development, and building a network of new leaders who can propel institutional and systemic change that advances cultural equity for the entire sector.

– Gustavo Herrera, Executive Director, Arts for LA

A huge thank you to our Arts for LA Design Sub-Committee members who worked on this strategic restructuring effort: Felicia Rosenfeld, Winifred Neisser and Amy Aquino, including the Nonprofit Sustainability Fund who provided the funding support.

In an effort to model equitable practices in our sector, Arts for LA has relaunched our job board and artist opportunity list with a commitment to wage transparency. Click below to take a look at our new job board.

Arts for LA’s Job Board
Interested in sharing a job or opportunity on the Arts for LA job board? Click here and fill out our online form!

LEARN.

We welcome applications from anyone who has a demonstrated interest in conducting research and/or crafting public policy pertaining to the arts and cultural landscape of the LA region.

Arts for LA invites research proposals that will inform the creation of policy proposals and/or advocacy initiatives in line with our policy pillars and aimed at building a more just, equitable arts & culture sector in the LA region.

Arts for LA’s four policy pillars are:

Funding + Capital
Education Equity
Affordable Space
Creative Jobs
Click the button below to learn more about this opportunity, and to apply!

Laura Zucker Fellowship >

Arts for LA is so excited to announce our 2021 ACTIVATE Innovators! This group of ten incredible arts leaders are working to develop a project that will bring creative careers to their organizations. Meet our innovators below, and stay tuned as we share more about their projects and ideas for change.

ARTS FOR LA IS FUNDED BY:

and the generous support of Organizational and Individual Members like you.

Read on for updates on your budget advocacy, resources for reopening, and more!

Over the past year, Arts for LA has held dozens of community meetings, trainings, policy working groups, and strategy sessions – all motivated by an unwavering commitment to serve as the collective voice for our region’s creative communities. Take a look at this clip from LA City Councilmember Paul Krekorian championing our message!

These touchpoints with you have made it clear that you are a network of passionate advocates unwilling to accept a return to a pre-pandemic status quo. Again and again, you have demonstrated a fierce commitment to building a Just Recovery for the Creative Sector. Alongside you, multiple cross-sector coalitions, and leaders from across the region, we have advocated and helped secure over $63 million in relief and recovery funding for artists and arts organizations over the past 14 months.

As the arts and culture sector continues to reopen, we understand the need for centralized COVID resources for arts and culture organizations to receive information on public health mandates. The LA County Department of Arts and Culture has created a resource for the sector, and we share some additional resources below.

In order to continue fighting for A Just Recovery, Arts for LA needs your financial support. Become a member of Arts for LA, and help us reach our goal of raising $18,000 by June 30, and ensure our community is able to continue fighting for every Angeleno’s right to arts & culture.

Onward!

Gustavo Herrera
Executive Director

REOPENING ARTS AND CULTURE
This month, Arts for LA joined a planning committee of performing arts, advocacy, and philanthropic organizations to survey and convene our LA Performing Arts field to better understand their unique needs as related to reopening. Together, we compiled resources to help the performing arts field and the arts and culture sector at large through the transition.

COVID Guidance	Finance	Rent Relief/Artist Space
LA County Dept of Public Health LA County Dept of Arts and Culture Reopening Safely Using Data When Reopening Audience Outlook Monitor Californians For the Arts Covid 19 Resources	Hyperlocal funding campaign Nonprofit Sustainability Initiative	InnerCity Struggle LA County Rent Relief Programs Artist Space Development: Financing Leveraging Investments In Creativity

Just + Equitable Recovery for Arts and Culture

• Arts for LA’s 2021 Policy and Advocacy Agenda
• Restart the Arts in CA
• SB805
• Make or Break: Race and Ethnicity In Entry-Level Compensation For Arts Administrators In Los Angeles County
• A national, BIPOC-focuses analysis of survey date from Wave 1 of Culture +Community in a Time of Crisis: A special Education of Culture Track
• Solidarity Not Charity – Grantmaking in the Solidarity Economy
• COVID-19 Economic Impact Survey for Creative Organizations and Businesses

LA County is helping train businesses on the implementation of COVID-19 safety protocols through a no-cost online training: COVID-19 Safety Compliance Certification Program (CSCCP). Once completed, business owners receive a certificate, and window seal to display on their storefront. Businesses must follow current Health Officer Orders. Only businesses that are currently permitted to be open under these orders are eligible for a COVID-19 Safety Compliance Certificate.

BUDGET ADVOCACY UPDATES
DON’T EVER DOUBT THAT YOUR ADVOCACY HAS AN IMPACT! HERE’S WHAT YOU’VE ACCOMPLISHED THIS MONTH:
LA City Council unanimously approved a significant increase to arts & culture funding in the 2021-22 LA City budget.

The LA County Board of Supervisors received 400 public comments from arts advocates urging them to increase hyperlocal arts funding. Early next month, the County will release its spending plan for the latest round of federal stimulus dollars (American Rescue Plan). We’ll reach out soon so you can make sure arts & culture are included in this recovery package!

Earlier this week, CA Senate approved two key bills – SB 805 & SB 628. Both bills now move on to the state Assembly – we are one step closer! Both bills will fund our creative communities by creating jobs and capitalizing community-based organizations.

Our partners at Californians for the Arts are leading a campaign for a $1 Billion investment in the arts, culture, and creative industries. Led by CA Senators Ben Allen and Susan Rubio, as well as CA Assemblymembers Laura Friedman, Adrin Nazarian and Sharon Quirk – Silva, this effort is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to expand our state’s cultural infrastructure. Last week, LA Mayor Garcetti joined this group of lawmakers with a letter in support. Help continue this advocacy! Join LA Mayor Garcetti in submitting a letter in support of this initiative.

The Laura Zucker Fellowship for Policy and Research is the first ever fellowship for individuals to effect change at the regional level. The fellowship is focused on arts and cultural policy development/reform/implementation in Los Angeles County and the accompanying research necessary to inform such policies.

Arts for LA will begin accepting applications for our 2021 Research Fellow on June 15, 2021. If you are interested in an opportunity to conduct research to effect change in LA’s arts and culture sector, stay connected to us on social media and keep an eye on our website as we release more information.

BECOME A MEMBER

Become a Member! In the duration of a global crisis, where arts and culture are key to unifying communities and building a just recovery, Arts for LA is your only cross-discipline, cross-sector, collective voice, working to give the arts a voice during crucial decision making moments.

Our members, alongside multiple cross-sector coalitions, and leaders from across the region, have been able to help secure over $63 million in relief and recovery funding for the artists and arts organizations over the past 14 months. Become a member of Arts for LA, help us reach our fiscal year-end fundraising goals, and ensure our community is able to continue fighting for every Angeleno’s right to arts & culture.

Become a Member >

ARTS FOR LA IS FUNDED BY:

and the generous support of Organizational and Individual Members like you.

Read about our successful #ArtsMonth2021 thanks to your dedicated advocacy!

As Arts Month draws to a close, we want to thank each and every one of you for your tireless advocacy on behalf of LA’s arts + culture sector. Together, we were able to propel important legislation forward, advocate on behalf of the most vulnerable members of our community, and enlist the help of our local leaders in supporting a just recovery.

This network of advocates took action 1,800 times – sending letters, submitting public comment, and calling elected officials at all levels of government. This commitment and passion has resulted in major wins at the city, county, and state levels. Your advocacy is working.

We are excited to share updates about the work of this year’s incredible ACTIVATE Delegates cohort. Over the past two weeks, almost 40 delegates have met with close to a dozen local leaders to advocate for the resources our creative communities so desperately need. Check out the video of singer/composer and ACTIVATE Delegate Joyce Kwon in action!

Read on for more details about all of your advocacy this #ArtsMonth.

Onward!

Gustavo Herrera
Executive Director

CITY OF LOS ANGELES

In early April, LA City Council passed the resolution put forward by Councilmembers Lee, O’Farrell, and Blumenfield committing to direct federal stimulus to arts & culture. Over 900 of you signed our petition to get this resolution passed, and we were successful! Stay tuned for any additional actions.

On April 20, LA City Mayor Garcetti released his draft of the 2021-22 LA City Budget. This budget proposed a $5.3 million increase to the Department of Cultural Affairs’ budget, including a $2 million increase in cultural grants program, and $2 million for creative workforce programs which includes $1 million for We Create LA – a new workforce program for teaching artists to work in community settings.

The Mayor’s proposed budget also outlines a vision for a $1 million dollar youth & creative workers mural program, $1 million for the COVID-19 memorial program, as well as upgrades to public art facilities. Get ready to take action soon to make sure LA City Council includes these recommendations in their final budget!

In response to your advocacy last year, in August 2020, the Department of Cultural Affairs Public Art Division (DCA) and City Council designated $340,000 in Arts Development Fees to establish a Citywide COVID-19 Emergency Response Program to provide emergency, economic relief to individual artists who live in Los Angeles.

The Department of Cultural Affairs worked with over 250 local artists from across the city to create Reimagine Public Art – a digital art exhibition that “gives us a glimpse of what hybrid forms public art might take once the city reopens and Angelenos begin to alternate their interactions with each other between virtual and physical public.” Check out the exhibition here!

LOS ANGELES COUNTY

On April 6, the LA County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a motion to proclaim April as Arts Month and begin the expansion of the Community Impact Arts Grant program – a vital source of funding for community organizations across the county.

On April 20, the LA County Board of Supervisors again voted to expand our cultural infrastructure by approving a motion from Supervisors Solis & Kuehl to begin implementing a Countywide Cultural Policy. This was a critical step towards greater cultural equity within the County.

Lastly, Arts for LA continues to closely track the implementation of Measure J funding to ensure the arts are meaningfully included in this visionary reimagining of public safety and community investment. Over the coming weeks, we will call on this network of advocates to attend the public meetings where key decisions about these funds are being made. The next meeting is May 6. More to come soon!

STATE OF CALIFORNIA

On April 27, Californians for the Arts hosted a day-long virtual convening packed with panels, speakers, and performances to celebrate Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month across the state. The entire event was recorded, and they will upload the recordings to their website, take a look at the other ways you can get involved in their advocacy!

Together, Arts for LA and Californians for the Arts have co-sponsored Senate Bill 628 (Allen), the Creative Workforce Development Act. Earlier this month, California State Senator Ben Allen presented SB 628 to the Senate Labor Committee; the bill passed unanimously in the committee, with Senator Josh Newman signing on as co-author. Next up, the bill will be presented to the Appropriations Committee – stay tuned for how you can help make the Creative Workforce Development Act a reality!

Along with this critical legislation, we must make sure our sector has the resources necessary to reopen safely. That’s why we are working with Californians for the Arts to build a coalition calling for $1 billion in stimulus funds to be directed towards the state’s arts & culture sector. Take action today in support of this effort! Help us reach 10,000 letters – 3,017 have been submitted so far.

UPCOMING EVENTS

May Community Action Network Meeting

Join us for our May Community Action Network Meeting!

These monthly meetings are an opportunity for arts advocates to come together, share insights, network with field leaders, and get organized to take action in support of a healthy, equitable creative sector.

TAKE ACTION FOR ARTS EDUCATION

Right now, education leaders in school districts across Los Angeles County and California are determining your district’s goals, priorities, and budget.

We must make sure the arts are included in these plans! Send an email to your school board today and encourage them to learn more about the power of arts education by watching this episode of KCET’s ARTBOUND on Arts Education, that premiered on Wednesday, April 28 at 9:00 PM!

TAKE ACTION!

California Alliance For Arts Education

Creating for Resilience: Indigenous Students in Education

May 5 | 3:30 to 5pm

Join the California Alliance for Arts Education for an interactive webinar that will (re)contextualize the lived experience of many Indigenous students in the North-West Region of California public schools today. This virtual event will center the voices of Hupa, Karuk and Yurok Indigenous artists and educators working to understand and meet the needs of students by employing culturally sensitive, trauma-informed and arts-based practices. Participants will engage in personal reflection and group discussion designed to advance their skills as an ally to and advocate for Indigenous students. We invite you to engage in the conversation in an artistic way so please come prepared with materials that support you in processing new ideas.

STAY INVOLVED!

Arts for LA’s Job Board! Browse Arts for LA’s job board! We are continually updating this resource with new job opportunities and opportunities for artists. Do you have a job or artist call you would like to share? Fill out the form on our website.

Explore Jobs and Opportunities >

Become a Member! In the duration of a global crisis, where arts and culture are key to unifying communities and building a just recovery, Arts for LA is your only cross-discipline, cross-sector advocacy organization working to give the arts a voice during crucial decision making moments.

When you become a member of Arts for LA, you are joining a movement of artists, arts administrators, arts organizations, and arts advocates united in support of the same goal: ensuring the arts and culture in Los Angeles County are supported, especially in times of crisis.

Become a Member >

ARTS FOR LA IS FUNDED BY:

and the generous support of Organizational and Individual Members like you.

WEEKLY UPDATE ON YOUR #ARTSMAKELA LOCAL FUNDING ADVOCACY

This network of advocates has worked tirelessly to make sure that artists, arts workers, and cultural organizations have the resources they need to help build a more just world. YOUR ADVOCACY IS WORKING.

On Monday, Arts for LA’s co-sponsored bill SB 628 (Allen), the Creative Workforce Development Act, was heard by the California Senate Labor Committee. Not only did the Committee unanimously pass the bill, but California Senator Josh Newman also signed on as a co-author of the bill. Now, we must ensure California State fully funds a just recovery for the creative sector.

Take 2 minutes to send a letter to your state rep!

Send a letter to your State Rep! >

On Tuesday, the LA County Board of Supervisors took a critical first step towards funding the Countywide Cultural Policy – a key recommendation of the Cultural Equity & Inclusion Initiative.

Now, we must ensure the County’s final budget gets our communities the creative resources they need to heal, connect, and thrive. Learn more about the Countywide Cultural Policy here.

Because of your tireless advocacy, the recently released budget proposal from LA City Mayor Garcetti includes a $5.3 million increase to the Department of Cultural Affairs’ budget. Highlights include a $2 million increase in the cultural grantsprogram, $2 million for creative workforce programs for youth and teaching artists, and more.

As the budget continues to be debated, we must make sure that LA City Council includes these arts & culture recommendations in their final budget. We’ll let you know how you can support this effort soon!

ARTS MONTH CONTINUES!

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns!

ARTS FOR LA’S FEBRUARY ENEWS UPDATES AND EXCITING UPCOMING EVENTS.

As Black History Month comes to an end, we honor the Black artists and activists who have shaped the LA region and continue to fight for every Angeleno’s right to creativity and culture. Arts for LA is grateful for this community of inspiring leaders working tirelessly to build a more just society.

At Arts for LA we are hard at work fighting to make our 2021 Advocacy Agenda a reality. Executive Director Gustavo Herrera represented the LA region at the release of the annual Otis Report on the Creative Economy – watch the event and download the report here. Our statewide advocacy partners at Californians for the Arts shared the results of their survey of nearly 1,000 arts workers and over 600 organizations across California. Read their findings here.

We were excited to read the joint announcement from Governor Gavin Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins, and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon about a package of immediate actions that will direct relief to those experiencing significant economic hardship due to COVID-19 – including $50 million in grants for nonprofit cultural institutions.

There are many ways to get involved over the coming months, including our second monthly meeting of the Community Action Network, the winter Regional Conversation with Californians for the Arts, and more.

Onward!

Arts for LA

COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK

Arts for LA is hosting a monthly meetings of our Community Action Network – open to all arts advocates across LA County. This is a chance to come together and get organized for action in support of artists, arts workers, and cultural organizations. The first meeting was this month on February 10, and we were pleased to welcome over 70 participants.

Join us for our March Community Action Network meeting on Wednesday, March 10 at 6:00 PM.

LA WINTER REGIONAL CONVERSATION

Join us and Californians for the Arts on Thursday, March 4 at 1:00 pm for our Winter Regional Conversations. These conversations will include updates on state and federal advocacy with Californians for the Arts Executive Director, Julie Baker, and also special guests, Danielle Brazell, General Manager of the LA City Department of Cultural Affairs, and Kristin Sakoda, Director of the LA County Department of Arts and Culture.

You will have a chance to share ideas, questions and concerns with the Californians for the Arts team – and most importantly, each other – as the situation continues to evolve.

Join us for this important conversation, and share your own experiences!

ADVOCATING FOR STUDENT HEALTH AND THE ARTS

As students process the trauma of the pandemic, the arts are not a luxury; they are an essential tool for recovery. Arts education not only decreases feelings of anxiety, depression, and isolation but also positively impacts all-around academic performance. Now is the time to communicate with your school district leadership about the need to include the arts in your Local Control & Accountability Plan. Join Arts for LA, Create CA and the California Alliance for Arts Education for a webinar that will:

Provide a brief overview of the LCAP process and document
Present the compelling argument for including the arts in the LCAP as a key strategy to support student health
Share the experience of a district administrator who successfully worked to include the arts education in the LCAP to support social emotional learning
Advocates will walk away from this interactive session with concrete tools and next steps to increase arts education offerings in their school district.

UPCOMING EVENTS

The Emerging Voices Fellowship is now open for applications!

The Fellowship provides a five-month immersive mentorship program for early-career writers from communities that are traditionally underrepresented in the publishing world. The program is committed to cultivating the careers of Black writers, and serves writers who identify as Indigenous, persons of color, LGBTQIA+, immigrants, writers with disabilities, and those living outside of urban centers.

Through curated one-on-one mentorship and introductions to editors, agents, and publishers, in addition to workshops on editing, marketing, and creating a platform, the five-month fellowship nurtures creative community, provides a professional skill-set, and demystifies the path to publication—with the ultimate goal of diversifying the publishing and media industries.

Applications are due March 17!

Deadline Extended! Submit to the Student Voices Campaign by March 1.

The Student Voices Campaign is an annual statewide creative arts competition for young people to make their voices heard in their school district. Students in grades 7-12 create short original art pieces that show why the arts matter.

Submit to the Student Voices Campaign by March 1 for an opportunity at up to $500 in cash, Adobe software, and change in your community! We’re proud of the continued support of Adobe and we can’t wait to honor outstanding submissions at our event on April 16!
BRIC Foundation Summit

The 2021 BRIC (Break, Reinvent, Impact and Change) Virtual Summit will be happening March 5th and 6th. The Summit’s goal is to bring a community of thought provokers together from different facets of the entertainment, media, and tech industries to collectively solve how we support and nurture up-and-coming talent – as it pertains to women and underrepresented groups who have an interest in being creative leaders.

This free Summit aims to create a space where actionable solutions are created and in turn, can be presented to our respective organizations and can either be implemented – or at the very least shared to spark ideas on how to make long-term effective impactful change.

Arts for LA is funded by:

and the generous support of Organizational and Individual Members like you.

ARTS FOR LA’S JANUARY ENEWS UPDATES AND 2021 POLICY & AGENDA RELEASE

Happy New Year Arts Advocates!

This week, we released our 2021 Policy and Advocacy Agenda, outlining our vision for a Just Recovery for the LA Region’s Creative Sector. Thank you to everyone who joined our release party. This is a pivotal moment for the artists, arts workers, and arts organizations of Los Angeles to acknowledge the long-standing racial and economic inequities inherent in our cultural infrastructure, and fight for a better, more just Los Angeles. Click here to download the agenda and learn how you can get involved.

This month, we are excited to introduce you to the 2021 ACTIVATE Delegates Cohort (scroll down to meet them).We were also proud to host a convening for LA County school board members featuring former school board member and now CA State Senator Ben Allen.

This February, we will launch an updated Job and Artist Opportunities board on our website. We will also begin to host monthly community meetings to connect and organize our advocacy in pursuit of a just recovery for the LA region’s creative sector. RSVP to join us by clicking the button below and registering for our first meeting on Wednesday February 10.

As we move into 2021, we need your advocacy more than ever. There are many ways to show up – all of them vital to the movement for cultural equity. Your participation, your financial support, your insight and your experiences are indispensable to building a healthy, equitable LA region – we are honored to fight alongside you!

Onward!

Gustavo Herrera
Executive Director

ACTIVATE 2021

2021 ACTIVATE DELEGATES COHORT
We are excited to introduce you to our 2021 ACTIVATE Delegates cohort. We were overwhelmed by the number of qualified and impressive applicants and so grateful to everyone who expressed interest. Learn more about these incredible arts leaders here!

ACTIVATE: INNOVATORS 2021
Applications for our 2021 ACTIVATE Innovators program are open now!

ACTIVATE Innovators is a project incubator designed to support arts leaders as they grow an idea into a fully-planned project. The program offers changemakers the opportunity to learn from field leaders, connect with other cross-sector colleagues, and lead the development of a project or program addressing one of Arts for LA’s four issue areas.

This year, Arts for LA is seeking nominations for the 2021 ACTIVATE Innovators cohort from organizations interested in focusing on creative sector jobs.

ARTS FOR LA’S 2021 POLICY AGENDA

After a months-long community listening and strategizing process, Arts for LA is pleased to share with you our 2021 Policy and Advocacy Agenda: A Just Recovery for the LA Region’s Creative Sector.Developed in collaboration with you and hundreds of community members, this agenda outlines concrete ways to take collective action to build a healthy, equitable creative sector and greater LA region.

Our advocacy priorities fall under four main issue-areas impacting the creative sector: affordable housing, equitable education, funding and capital, and creative sector jobs. Our policy agenda identifies actionable steps to RESPOND, RECOVER, and REBUILD the Los Angeles arts and culture sector.

Download the 2021 Policy Agenda

MONTHLY COMMUNITY MEETINGS

Arts for LA has released an ambitious 2021 Policy and Advocacy Agenda outlining concrete goals and actions to rebuild LA’s creative sector. In order to meet the goals highlighted in our agenda, we need the support of our active and passionate arts and culture community.

Arts for LA will be hosting monthly community meetings on the second Wednesday of each month. These meetings will be an opportunity for our members to come together and network with one another, and learn about any upcoming advocacy efforts you can participate in.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tune In and Speak Up!
Californians for the Arts

WHAT: Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism + Internet Media
WHEN: February 2, 10AM – NOON
TOPIC: Restarting the Arts: Best Practices for Safely Reopening

TUNE IN
Californians for the Arts is pleased to announce that the CA Assembly committee on the Arts will be holding an Informational Hearing and Executive Director Julie Baker and board members Marie Acosta and Keasha Dumas Heath will be among the speakers. See the agenda here. All are encouraged to watch the hearing from its live stream on the Assembly’s website.

SPEAK UP! Live during meeting or written comment.
Public Comment: Due to the ongoing concern for public safety posed by COVID-19 and guidance on physical distancing, the public is strongly encouraged to participate via the web portal or phone.

The public may also provide written testimony before the hearing. Please send your written testimony to: ArtsCommittee@asm.ca.gov. Please note that any written testimony sent to that email address is considered public comment and may be read into the record or reprinted.

The Art of Everything Leadership Conversations
CreateCA

The Art of Everything Leadership Conversations is intended for both aspiring, emerging, and experienced leaders to come together in conversation and community around the key leadership concepts in the book. We encourage you to join us in this interactive, five-part series focused on key elements of artful leadership.

Explore with the author, guest presenters, leaders, and arts educators key concepts of artistry, equity, empathic design, strategy, and humility as important elements equitable and creative leadership that can impact positive change.

It’s not too late to register for this 5 part Leadership Series, co-hosted by CCSESA and Create CA. Registration will close after Session 2 on February 19th. (If you missed the first session you will receive the recording).

KCET Black History Month Lineup
PBS SoCal and KCET

PBS SoCal and KCET have announced their content lineup in celebration of Black History Month. These programs will include KCET Original episodes of ARTBOUND and LOST LA focused on the diverse history of Southern California, as well as HOLLYWOOD’S ARCHITECT: The Paul R. Williams Story from PBS SoCal. PBS is airing award-winning content to stations across the country including episodes of ANTIQUES ROADSHOW, AMERICAN MASTERS, FINDING YOUR ROOTS, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, GREAT PERFORMANCES, MASTERPIECE and more. In particular, THE BLACK CHURCH “This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song” hosted by Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. will be the focus of a series of virtual events – both locally and nationally.

(Clockwise from Upper Left: THE BLACK CHURCH “This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song,” LOST LA “Shindana Toy Company,” and “HOLLYWOOD’S ARCHITECT: The Paul R. Williams Story.” Images courtesy of PBS, KCET and PBS SoCal respectively).

Arts for LA is funded by:

and the generous support of Organizational and Individual Members like you.

Happy holiday season to our Arts for LA family!

This month, we are excited to officially release the 2020 Laura Zucker Research Fellowship Report. Click here to read the full report. Our 2020 fellow Nahal Jalali’s research considers the case for integrating artists and the arts into municipal governments – beyond arts and culture departments – to spur innovation. Click here to learn moreand read on to download the full report.

Even in the midst of a worsening global pandemic, the creative sector continues to look towards the future. The LA County Department of Arts and Culture has released a slate of reopening guidelines produced in partnership with the LA County Department of Public Health. Click here for more information about this essential topic.

We are also excited to announce some upcoming events and opportunities, including Arts for LA’s new partnership with Bank of America.

This week, we will launch our end-of-year fundraising drive. With your help, we can meet a $10,000 matching grant generously offered by the Herb Alpert Foundation. Stay tuned to learn how you can help us meet our goals.

Onward!

Gustavo Herrera
Executive Director

SPOTLIGHT: BANK OF AMERICA
Arts for LA is excited to announce a new collaboration with Bank of America. Together, we will work to advance our mutual commitment to building dynamic, thriving communities in Los Angeles County.

With the support of Bank of America, Arts for LA will continue to build the technical leadership skills in our community’s workforce and we will continue advocating for our sector as we recover from the economic, social, and health crises to ensure our communities have the support, tools and resources they need to rebuild a vibrant and healthy LA.

We are so grateful to Bank of America for their investment in our mission, and we are very excited to develop this strategic partnership to ensure our communities have the tools they need to thrive.

THE WORK AHEAD

During the 2020 election cycle, nearly 4.3 million LA County residents voted in this November’s election, with so many of you working tirelessly to achieve a remarkable 75% turnout rate. Across California, and the nation, we saw record numbers of voters under the age of 30. We are grateful for your participation in our 2020 Voting for the Arts Series, advocacy, and dedication to building a more equitable, creative LA region.

Arts for LA endorsed California State Propositions 15 and 16 because we understood these measures as crucial steps towards a fully funded, inclusive creative sector. The failure of both propositions to be approved by a majority of Californians is a clear call to action: now is the time for the arts + culture sector to think critically about its role in the movement for California’s schools, local governments, and the fight for racial equity.

Arts for LA will be leading a series of community gatherings beginning in early 2021 to advance a policy and advocacy agenda that unapologetically centers racial and economic equity, as well as increased public investment in the resources so essential to a vibrant, diverse arts + culture sector. Stay tuned for more info about how you can join these monthly meetings.

We are also closely tracking the implementation process of Measure J (see pg. 19 of this explainer for more info), which was approved by a majority of LA County voters earlier this month. We will continue to advocate for the role of arts + culture in this revisioning process and update our community as the implementation phase continues.

2020 LAURA ZUCKER REPORT

ART AS INNOVATION: EMBEDDING ARTISTS AND CREATIVITY ACROSS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN LA COUNTY
The arts — and artists in particular — are increasingly brought into non-arts organizations to offer fresh perspectives and incubate creative solutions to cross-sector challenges. While the value these creative roles bring is increasingly recognized, the 2020 Laura Zucker Report focuses on deepening the impact of the arts in the civic sphere – specifically, local municipalities across LA County.

The report provides a baseline understanding of:

The extent to which the arts, or artists, are currently present and valued
by non-arts departments across the County and a handful of cities in
the region.
The appetite of non-arts department leaders to hire artists or integrate
the arts in a strategic capacity on their teams.
The report also highlights the benefits to strategically embedding the arts, artists, and creative skills across non-arts departments, as well as perceived challenges and obstacles to that integration. The report concludes with potential models for embedding artists as innovators and provides tactical recommendations to artists and municipal leaders championing an expanded role for the arts.

CELEBRATING WOMEN COMPOSERS
Presented by The Hildegards, Arts for LA, LA Opera Connects and the Women’s Opera Network of OPERA America, we are pleased to invite you to: Celebrating Women Composers, An intimate conversation with composers Laura Karpman, Gabriela Lena Frank, Juhi Bansal & Nia Imani Franklin on December 3rd at 5:00pm.

Strengthen your ties with your colleagues in Los Angeles – and beyond – and help set the course for a more vibrant, inclusive future. The Hildegards, in partnership with the Women’s Opera Network of OPERA America, LA Opera Connects and Arts for LA, invite you to join us for an intimate conversation with four composers (Laura Karpman, Gabriela Lena Frank, Juhi Bansal and Nia Imani Franklin) making their mark on the classical and film music scenes.

This event is open to all. Program is free, but reservations are required.

Seminar is provided safely via Zoom invitation. You can join via computer or telephone.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Angel City Chorale invites you to haul out the holly, dust off the dreidel, and celebrate the holidays with us at It’s Not the Holidays ’til the Angels Sing, our first-ever, free virtual concert available worldwide on December 12th at 6:00pm PST!

RSVP above and get a chance to access two very special pre and post concert events! To get a taste of what’s to come, watch the concert promo video!