Municipality Cultural Planning Initiative
In 2006/2007, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the L.A. County Quality and Productivity Commission’s Productivity Investment Fund to implement this initiative to support 5 municipalities in creating a municipal cultural plan. A strong cultural plan is a valuable tool which builds community consensus, maximizes cultural assets, and resolves specific cultural/neighborhood development issues.
Each of the County’s 88 municipalities approaches the arts and cultural needs of its residents in different ways based on the community’s broader needs and their city governmental structure. In 2005, the Arts Commission surveyed municipalities, hosted a meeting of staff representatives of 23 cities, and convened its first-ever forum for municipal arts commissioners. These three activities provided an in-depth picture of the challenges faced in funding, advocacy, and governance.
Forums for Arts Commissioners
In 2005, the Arts Commission hosted the first Countywide Arts Commissioner Forum. Forums are designed to bring arts commissioners and their staff from throughout the county to discuss common issues, challenges, and to inform arts commissioners with information about their role and how they can be most effective. Through a series of panels and breakout sessions, participants learn about various topics including cultural planning, public art, arts education, and anything goes (a session where commissioners can discuss various issues), as well as gain advice from professionals and seasoned commissioners. Forums for Arts Commissioners have been hosted by the City of Glendale (2005) and the City of Culver City (2006).
Los Angeles County Municipal Arts Survey Report
In 2005, the Arts Commission assessed the level of arts programming among the county’s 88 municipalities, resulting in the Los Angeles County Municipal Arts Survey Report . Please contact the Arts Commission to request a copy.
In 2007/2008, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the L.A. County Quality and Productivity Commission’s Productivity Investment Fund to implement an 18-month pilot program, Artful Solutions: Pathways from Homelessness Grant Initiative. The Arts Commission awarded five grants at $18,000 each to arts organizations whose project 1) maximize the role of the arts in alleviating homelessness in Los Angeles County; 2) will take place during July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009; and 3) will evaluate the results.
This is the nation’s first regional effort to reach this population by including the arts as an important component of supportive services and to provide data that can be used in the future to help solve the challenges of homelessness. This initiative supports the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors’ Homeless Prevention Initiative, which funds a variety of projects within the County to address homelessness by providing housing and supportive services to those at risk of and/or experiencing homelessness.
The GOALS of Artful Solutions Grant Program are:
- Homeless individuals and families will participate in quality arts services and programming fully integrated with shelters and/or supportive services which will improve access to permanent housing.
- Existing collaborations between arts organizations and shelters, transitional housing, and/or social service organizations serving homeless adults and families will deepen and new partnerships will be formed.
- New ways to measure qualitative and quantitative impact and outcomes of arts programs on alleviating homelessness will be developed and resulting data will contribute to the knowledge about successful alleviation strategies for homelessness.