LA = Arts and Culture Mecca/Leader ??

Perhaps some of you know that I recently came on board with the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs as Program Assistant for the CULTURAL MASTER PLAN.

There has not been an enacted plan for the city since 1992.

Having grown up and lived in LA all of my life, I can say that I seriously did not notice anything outside of my own art world that might give tourists, new residents or the general public the idea that LA is a city of amazing art.

I do see this in Pasadena, Orange County, San Diego, Culver City, Chinatown - even Riverside and Claremont and slooowwwwly in Pomona.
But not in LA proper. I see efforts, such as the Silver Lake Trash Can project - but there is still trash all over the ground surrounding the colorful tiled bins....
~sigh~. It bums me out.

However, Downtown is doing an amazing job - and it is not because of the "City" perse, it is because of the individuals that care, have a vested interest and want to make things wonderful. I am also quite impressed with the MTA public art projects and programs - placing art in the Metro Stations and on street banners. Sonia Romero, whom I have sold countless prints for at Gallery Revisited over the years, is the artist chosen for the MacArthur Park station. That is going to make a huge difference in one of the cities most neglected areas. (If you saw the historical photography of that area adjacent to the old Bullock's Wilshire building - in all of its Deco glory with theatre houses, high-end apartments - the architecture...you would just sigh. It was really grand back then. But it's getting better!)

LA Arts are somewhat subversive, it is divided by neighborhoods, it is privatized and it is dependent on the vision of the individuals that make things happen.
That is not a bad thing -- that is what makes LA wonderful. That is why I am still here. You can find your people, find your places - anywhere.

Is this evident when people visit us? Is this evident when people move here?
Not really....fixing up LAX was a huge Plus -- but we need more art there to show
the creativity and beauty here everytime someone arrives. We need clean streets, safe streets and neighborhoods - beautiful things to project a vision of the city as a whole - as a place that cares.

And I think it goes without saying that because LA is not Manhatten, we are not Chicago, we are not Denver, we aren't even Pasadena - we are HUGE, we are Diverse, we are Unique - did I say HUGE? - and the biggest problem is that we lack $$$ in proportion to our needs. Can we fix that? I am not sure. Can we work together, YES. Can we try to place our tiny monies wisely? YES.

So enough of my personal opinion....
If any of the things that I just mentioned spark interest in you - make you think about your role as an artist, an art educator, a collector, a resident, an art lover, supporter, museum donator, museum director, art director, gallerist, designer, community center employee, parks a recs programmer, building and planning person.....then come to the CULTURAL MASTER PLAN MEETINGS.

Also - THERE IS A SURVEY - Please fill it out before November 19th.

Tell a friend.