Nonprofit arts organizations in Los Angeles County are a vibrant part of the region’s cultural offerings, but a new report published by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission shows these organizations are also significant regional employers, providing nearly $267 million in full time equivalent salaries to 4,650 workers.

President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH) co-chairs George Stevens Jr. and Margo Lion today announced the expansion of PCAH’s successful Turnaround Arts initiative – a program designed to help turn around low-performing schools, narrow the achievement gap, and increase student engagement through the arts.  The program is expanding to 6 additional states this year including ten California schools.

Arts for LA, in partnership with Arts for All and the California Alliance for Arts Education, recently crafted and distributed an arts education template for the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) process. School districts throughout Los Angeles County are in the midst of crafting their LCAPs (see story above).

Recognizing the importance of creativity to California’s past, present and future, Sen. Ted Lieu will convene a hearing in the state’s capitol to examine the role the creative sector plays in the state’s economy.

Legislative hearing Feb. 12, 2014 in Sacramento:

A Shift

Calling all education advocates! California is about to undergo a monumental shift in the way our state funds our public schools. It is a win-win solution for every student attending public school in our state. But your voice is needed to ensure your student receives the benefits of this new formula. 

On February 6, Otis College of Art and Design will release the newest edition of its Report on the Creative Economy.  

By Aáron Heard

The California Arts Council announced last week it received $2 million in one-time funds from the 2013 State Assembly operating budget.  Assembly Speaker John Pérez made the allocation from his own discretionary fund. Pérez represents the 53rd Assembly District, covering much of Los Angeles (Boyle Heights, Downtown, Koreatown, Westlake)

The California Arts Council welcomed guests from throughout Los Angeles County to a special “listening session” focused on helping the state art agency craft a strategic plan to guide its growth and development.

Originally published by California Alliance for Arts Education

Governor’s Budget Favors Local Autonomy and Eliminates Most Categorical Funding