Arts for LA, the leading voice for arts advocacy in Greater Los Angeles, hosted its 5th Annual State of the Arts: Barriers to Bridges Summit on October 24, at The Ebell of Los Angeles.
The full day event featured panels and discussions led by key art leaders that discussed recurring economic and social barriers for artists in Los Angeles. The event helped encourage bold collaborative approaches to reimagine and revitalize the creative economy.
“The State of the Arts Summit was a key part of our mission at Arts for LA to bring together LA’s coalition of bold and powerful artists, arts organizations and arts advocates around our shared purpose of building a more just and thriving creative economy,” said Gustavo Herrera, CEO, Arts for LA.
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“Through this summit, over 300 art leaders are now more equipped with the knowledge and resources to help build a more equitable Los Angeles through the arts.”
This year’s summit featured keynote speaker Snehal Desai, the new artistic director of Center Theatre Group, one of the largest regional theaters in the country, with remarks from the 41st Mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa.
Renowned panelists and speakers included Stanford University’s Vice President for the Arts Deborah Cullinan, LA28’s Vice President of Impact Erikk Aldridge, Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Artistic Director Jonathan Muñoz-Proulx, The Music Center’s President and CEO Rachel S. Moore, The Ebell of LA’s first Executive Director Dr. Stacy Brightman, non-profit arts leader Debra Padilla, Perenchio Foundation’s Stephania Ramirez, and more.
After the keynote speakers and remarks from the Arts for LA team, the main panel “Effective & Healthy Partnerships,” began with a discussion on what a partnership looks like and why it’s important, and strategies to create an effective, long-lasting partnership.
After a quick break, art leaders and advocates in attendance decided between three breakout segments: “Community Engagement with LA28,” “Reimagined Leadership,” and “Bold Approaches to Equitable Funding.” Each of these sessions included a panel of art leaders who specialize in this topic, leaving audiences with the resources they or their organizations need the most. Lunch and entertainment were provided by Drag Queen performer, Jo Lopez.
The 2023 State of the Arts Summit was generously supported by The Ebell of Los Angeles, City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis (First District), Center for Business & Management of the Arts at Claremont Graduate University, L.A. Daily News, Icelandic, and New Venture Fund. Arts for LA is grateful for the support from these civic leaders.
For more information on Arts for LA and its mission, visit: http://www.artforla.org/about-us/