Newsroom

Arts Advocates,

We know that many of you are curious about the planning around the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Last month, we met with Maria Arena Bell, Emmy-winning writer/producer and Los Angeles arts leader, who was named Chair of the LA28 Cultural Olympiad to discuss her vision as the LA region begins its coordinating efforts. 

The 2028 Cultural Olympiad, alongside the games, will highlight and expand access to the region’s rich cultural landscape, celebrating the diverse and bold artistic history of Los Angeles. The Cultural Olympiad has accompanied the Games in every host city for more than one hundred years. We will continue to work closely with the LA28 team to ensure your voices are heard and included in the months and years ahead. 

Meanwhile, Arts for LA is celebrating some victories that have been driven by your advocacy. Some 85 community-based arts organizations statewide have called for greater accountability of Prop 28 funds. Last month, the Los Angeles Unified School District quietly added $30 million to the arts budget as a result of that advocacy.

This builds on your successful advocacy in June when we collectively clawed back $1 million for 11 restored positions in the City of LA and $17.5 million of state level funding.

As we enter the late Summer and Fall, stay tuned for numerous opportunities to get involved, including:

• Community Listening Sessions: beginning at the end of August for organizational members. 
• Arts Vote: this will take shape in September as we approach Election Day, highlighting important issues on the ballot and ways you and your friends can register to vote.
• Our second World Cafe at the end of September, which will help guide the implementation phase of our Creative Jobs Collective Impact Initiative.
• State of the Arts Summit: October 16 at The Ebell of Los Angeles. Save the date and stay tuned for details.
• Second annual Public Forum: open to the general public in November.

See you next month, Changemakers.

Always,

Ricky