The Los Angeles County Creative Strategist program explores how artist residencies in government can generate new strategies to address tough civic challenges. As Creative Strategists, artists foster social change by using art as a tool for inquiry and introducing new perspectives and methodologies to government processes and operations.
New York Times bestselling author, educator, artist, and abolitionist Patrisse Cullors took on the role of Creative Strategist in October 2023, when she was selected for a residency with the Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative.
From experiencing houselessness firsthand as a youth in Los Angeles County to joining the forefront of change as the Creative Strategist with the Homeless Initiative, my journey has been fueled by the belief that advocacy can carve out spaces for truth and transformation.—Patrisse Cullors
Patrisse tapped into a deep well of lived experience and her background as an artist, organizer, and advocate to meet the goals of the residency:
- to develop strategies to dispel myths and shift narratives about people experiencing homelessness,
- to highlight the impact of homelessness on youth, and
- to increase awareness and understanding of the complexities and solutions of the homelessness crisis in the region.
Graphic design by Jio Im.
During the residency, Patrisse was connected to the young leaders of the LA Emissary. The LA Emissary was founded in 2021 to inform funding, policy, and systems change within LA County to end youth homelessness through solutions driven and envisioned by those who are systems impacted. The LA Emissary funds and supports a coalition of their peers and invests in innovation toward the goal of transforming the system in a youth-led way.
For her main residency project, Patrisse proposed a short documentary film that would reflect the voices and stories of these young leaders and shine a light on the LA Emissary’s work to empower and provide a platform for young people impacted by homelessness.
First-person accounts are a vital tool to dispel myths and shift public understanding about homelessness in our region. As we heard from the extraordinary young people at the LA Emissary, every person who endures homelessness has a unique experience with the support systems that are designed to help them – the good, the bad, and even somewhere in the middle. These exceptional leaders are modeling a new organizational framework for advocacy, power-building, and community organizing. We are honored to learn from and partner with them to turn our learnings into action.—Cheri Todoroff, Executive Director of the LA County Homeless Initiative
Four LA Emissary members agreed to participate in the documentary. Directed by Whitney Skauge, Close to Home explores the personal and shared experiences of these four young adults who imagine a world where access to safe, affordable, and reliable housing is an undeniable human right. The documentary highlights their powerful leadership and advocacy work to shift the paradigm to a youth-centric approach that effectively meets young people’s unique needs and aspirations.
Executive producing Close to Home was a truly remarkable experience. Working alongside the LA Emissary—learning from their advocacy, their work, and their life journeys—was deeply special. It feels like a sacred gift to steward stories from those impacted by failed systems. I’m honored to have produced this film during my residency as Creative Strategist with the LA County Homeless Initiative.—Patrisse Cullors
Patrisse and her team are submitting Close to Home to film festivals. The film will be made available for streaming online in late 2025 or early 2026. For more information, please email cross-sector@arts.lacounty.gov.
Patrisse Cullors is a New York Times bestselling author, educator, artist, and abolitionist from Los Angeles, CA. Her work has been featured at The Broad, The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, The Fowler Museum, Frieze LA, The Hammer Museum, Vashon Center for the Arts, Joe’s Pub, Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, and more, as well as a host of theaters, galleries, and museums across the globe. Cullors launched the Social and Environmental Arts Practice MFA program at Prescott College where she served as the Founding Director for two years. She is the co-founder of the Crenshaw Dairy Mart, the founder of The Center For Art and Abolition, and has been on the frontlines of abolitionist movement building with Black Lives Matter, Justice LA, Dignity and Power Now, and Reform LA jails. Her current work and practice focus on “Abolitionist Aesthetics,” a term she coined to help challenge artists and cultural workers to aestheticize abolition. Patrisse has won numerous awards for her art and activism. Patrisse’s mission is to invite all of us to grow towards abolition through intergenerational healing work that centers love, collective care, and art.
Documentary coming soon to a film festival and/or streaming platform near you.
Learn more about the Creative Strategist program, which places artists in County departments to develop artist-driven solutions to complex civic issues.
Learn more about the Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative.