City: West Hollywood
Position Seeking: City Council

Question 1: Please share a meaningful experience you had with art (visual, dance, drama, music, media arts) while growing up and its impact on you.

I make my living as a writer, performer and graphic designer. I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, and I am a member of the entertainment trade unions. I perform in a monthly musical comedy show at the Upright Citizens Brigade, and I also host a satirical series on YouTube. As a designer, I create collateral for a number of the world’s most iconic luxury brands.

I’ve been involved in music, theater and fine arts since I was a kid, and the arts continue to be the driving force in my career.

Question 2: What do you believe the role of City Council should be in developing and supporting the region’s arts and cultural infrastructure?

I believe the City should continue to require developers to contribute one percent of development project budgets to public art projects. I also believe that West Hollywood should explore more opportunities for arts education in our area, in conjunction with more direct involvement in our local schools.

Question 3: What’s your vision for the city? What role, if any, does art and culture play in advancing that vision?

I believe that West Hollywood has an obligation to promote the progressive ideology upon which the city was founded, and the creative arts are part of that history. I believe we should offer a creative arts business tax exemption for artists who live/work in the WeHo (similar to exemptions offered by the City of Los Angeles). I also support development projects that will increase the volume of affordable housing and live/work spaces in our area. Art and culture are integral to our community AND our local economy. West Hollywood should make it easier for artists of all kinds to live and work in our city.

Questions 4: A recent report by the Otis College of Design found that 1 in every 6 jobs in LA County supports the creative sector and economy in Los Angeles County. If elected, how will you aim to ensure the continued vitality and growth of the creative economy and the artistic community that it supports?

As I mentioned above, we must incentivize artists to stay in West Hollywood by increasing the volume of affordable housing and offering business tax credits for jobs that serve the creative sector. I believe we need to make it easier for artists to live and work in West Hollywood.