With the June 8th election just around the corner, Arts for LA is pleased to announce its endorsement of Measure E.  Since school districts in California receive approximately 75% of their funding from the state, an economic crisis like the one we’re in has a devastating impact on local districts, including LAUSD.

Although the Budget & Finance Committee process is somewhat difficult to follow, Arts for LA will do our best to quickly provide a snapshot of what took place.

To get the full story, you can watch the hearing when it is posted at http://councilcommittee. lacity.org/budget/video.htm.

Here’s what we know in a nutshell:

There was no action taken by Budget & Finance during today’s hearing on the Department of Cultural Affairs Budget.

March 18, 2010 - The Vision Theater in Leimert Park, CA

March 17, 2010 | Adolfo Guzman-Lopez | KPCC

March 23, 2010

On March 23rd, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to fund this summer's Los Angeles County Arts Internship Program.  Supervisor Ridley-Thomas' motion was seconded by Supervisor Yaroslavsky, with the third vote from Supervisor Antonovich.

March 25, 2010

From Arts Ed Washington: TAKE ACTION NOW

ArtsEd Washington launches new Parent Toolkit for School Board Advocacy

March 25, 2010

March 26, 2010

April 12, 2010

To address concerns about the district budgeting process, LAUSD has adopted a Transparent Budgeting Initiative and created a "Transparent Budgeting Advisory Group" comprised of community members, school leadership, parents and union representatives to "provide feedback on policy and operational issues related to creating a transparent and effective budgeting process for schools." 

 Americans for the Arts has coordinated the 23rd Annual National Arts Advocacy Day on April 12th & 13th, 2010, bringing together art