The state of California and in particular the city of Los Angeles has the opportunity to rescue the arts from the crisis, where thousands of jobs have been lost since the pandemic and an economic contribution of 4.1 billion dollars from the creativity industry is in danger. .
This was stated by Gustavo Herrera, executive director of Arts for LA (AFLA) during the fifth annual summit “The State of the Arts: Barriers to Bridges” at the majestic Ebell Theater in Los Angeles.
On one panel, arts experts discussed bold approaches to equitable funding, performing arts, and community organizations experiencing a crisis, because grants and government funding often mean the difference between closure and closure. survival.
“We represent a workforce of 740,000 people and 4.1 billion dollars for the economy,” Herrera highlighted. “Los Angeles is the first provider of art in the country, but we are among the worst funded; We are in 259th place.”
One of the speakers at the event was former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villarraigosa, who announced that there would be funding for the arts, coming from the $180 billion budget and infrastructure legislation that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed in July.
Newsom signed into law the infrastructure streamlining package that accelerates construction schedules for more projects needed to achieve the state’s climate and clean energy goals.
“Art and culture is an opportunity to create bridges in times of walls,” Villarraigosa told La Opinión, “Art must reflect the struggles, aspirations and dreams of our people.”
The former Los Angeles mayor was at the Cervantino International Festival, in the city of Guanajuato, Mexico, where he witnessed the presentation of Chicano art and culture.
“At a time when we are investing so much money, it is time for it to be reflected in our aspirations, dreams and culture,” he added.
Before, he advised the more than 300 artists who gathered at the Ebell Theater “to fight for money and financing.”
The opportunity that Villaraigosa referred to could occur in various Metro construction and modernization projects, such as Line K, which runs from downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica.
“Metro has a 1% program for the arts,” said Gustavo Herrera. “Of the investment they are making, that 1% percentage is money to create sculptures and art, throughout the project, and leaders of art and culture organizations can submit their applications to finance their work plans.”
Jasser Membreño, a 43-year-old Latino animator and illustrator, painter and muralist, considered that in the world of the arts in Los Angeles there is a lot of competition.
“You can succeed, although the market is very competitive,” he said. “But what I observe is that there is a lot of inclination towards art from other parts of the world, apart from the fact that, for Latin artists there are few real opportunities, because we do not have a space to talk or show your work.”
To survive in art, Membreño, son of a Honduran father and Salvadoran mother, also does graphic design work, and barely makes about $4,000 a month.
For her part, Annette Johnson, member of the board of directors of Arts for Los Angeles (AFLA), stressed that the arts are still recovering from all the effects of the pandemic.
“Although the economy is doing a little better, there are many artistic organizations that are still struggling,” he told La Opinión. “Art is fighting, fighting for money.”
He said the arts are facing the same issues as the business community, “although we are always advocating for greater public and philanthropic funding.”
He also encouraged the community to support the many arts organizations, small and large, and to advocate for affordable spaces for arts education and access to the arts for all.
Another fundamental fight in the crisis of the arts, he said, is the equitable payment of jobs.
“Equity issues that need to be addressed and hopefully we are working on that as well,” he added.
Support for undocumented immigrants
On the other hand, Gustavo Herrera reported that, through Art for LA, the creativity of undocumented artists residing in Los Angeles will be supported.
“This is very important to us, and just as the state supports them with driver’s licenses and has given them access to Medical, we want them to join the community of artists and have an opportunity to fully develop,” he indicated.
Although Herrera does not have official figures, he highlighted that between 100,000 and 140,000 undocumented artists could join Arts for LA