“Addressing about 100 Los Angeles arts leaders Tuesday at City Hall, Mayor Eric Garcetti promised a more cohesive arts policy,” writes Mike Boehm in Wednesday’s (1/15) Los Angeles Times. “The mayor pointedly did not promise … increased city government funding of the arts. The current core budget of the Department of Cultural Affairs is $8.96 million, down 38.5% from where it stood a decade ago, adjusting for inflation. One of Garcetti’s most important arts policy decisions will be hiring a new general manager for the cultural affairs department…. Among the ideas the mayor broached were bannering L.A.’s cultural attractions better at Los Angeles International Airport, and at Metro rail stops … [and] turning city buses into ‘canvases’ for L.A. artists’ work…. The gathered arts leaders included Deborah Marrow, head of the J. Paul Getty Trust’s grant-making wing; Leni Boorstin, director of community affairs for the Los Angeles Philharmonic; and Jessica Cusick, cultural affairs manager for the city of Santa Monica…. Danielle Brazell, executive director of Arts for L.A., … said L.A. ranks low in per capita arts funding compared with San Diego, San Francisco and other major cities.” Garcetti took office as mayor in July 2013.
Posted January 17, 2014
