Arts for LA Progress Report, 2006-2011
An overview of Arts for LA's primary activities, benchmarks and successes during its first five years as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
2010/2011:
- Developed/trained three new Advocacy Teams; maintained teams within the five pilot districts. Number of people trained in advocacy best practices through the team initiative topped 500.
- Expanded web content generated 175% spike in average daily traffic on ArtsforLA.org.
- Participated in multiple collaborative campaigns and initiatives, including the Educate Our State Rally and the House Resolution 1 Rally.
- Membership grew to 110 organizational and 120 individual members.
- Organized campaigns in the far North and East regions of LA County to encourage their representatives to support Governor Brown’s proposal to let Californians vote on tax extensions.
- Surveyed candidates for office in the City of LA, Pasadena, PUSD, LAUSD, Burbank USD. Posted all 38 completed surveys on ArtsforLA.org and sent emails to all 19,500 subscribers.
- Staff meet personally with six Los Angeles Councilmembers to discuss the value of arts & culture.
- After the major letter-writing campaigns of 2009/2010, when the City of LA CAO’s office proposed major cuts/dissolution of Dept. of Cultural Affairs, Mayor Villaraigosa’s office contacted Arts for LA with a statement that the Mayor did not support the CAO’s proposal. The City Council also did not support the proposal, and the DCA received baseline cuts proportional to other departments.
- Neither the County nor any city within it proposes significant cuts to arts & culture.
2009/2010:
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Developed/trained five self-sustaining Arts Ed Advocacy Teams in Arts for All districts. Teams preserved arts teacher positions and advocated for local support for arts education.
- Campaign to Save Arts Education in LAUSD generated over 1,000 letters and national press. Campaign Chairs include Charles Segars, CEO of Ovation, and philanthropist Eli Broad. Superintendent Ramon Cortines announced $5 million reinstated to LAUSD Arts Education.
- Membership grew to 90 organizational and 75 individual.
- Successful advocacy campaigns include preserving paid LA County Arts Internships, dedicated funding for City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs and support for Cultural Arts Centers.
- Launched redesigned website to streamline user interface and team integration.
- Hosted three Think Tanks for executive arts leadership.
- Sent 10,001 letters to policymakers in support of arts and arts education in Los Angeles County.
2008/2009:
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Developed the 2008 Regional Policy Platform.
- Surveyed school board candidates running for election in Arts for All districts.
- Produced the 2008 LA Arts Convergence.
- Hired two more staff members, Development & Operations Manager and Advocacy Manager.
- Surveyed candidates & hosted forum for LA County Supervisor election.
- Hosted welcome breakfast for elected Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.
- Co-Produced 2009 LA Arts Town Hall (regional convening of 650 arts professionals).
- Developed online advocacy tool to link subscribers with elected officials; launched website.
2007/2008:
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Surveyed school board candidates running for election in Arts for All districts.
- Held four Executive Arts leaders forums with elected officials and arts & cultural leadership.
- Partnership contract developed with Arts for All, the Regional Blueprint for Arts Education.
- Co-Produced the LA Arts Town Hall (regional convening of 600+ arts professionals).
2006/2007:
- Arts for LA becomes a 501(c)(3) nonprofit after 12 years as an ad-hoc committee.
- Board of Directors hires first staff position, Executive Director Danielle Brazell.
- 30 arts & cultural organizations join as member organizations.
