Newsroom

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.

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.