The Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA) and the Watts-Willowbrook Conservatory (WWC) will collaborate on two music programs for the young people in South Los Angeles.
Each time there is social upheaval, the corporations go on PR campaigns, promoting their concern for communities of color, and the millions of dollars they have set aside for community programs. It has been my experience that little, if any, of the resources actually reach relevant programs. As an arts advocate and administrator for the last 20 years, I’ve experienced promised resources go to established arts programs, but rarely to Black grass roots organizations, who are doing the actual work to lift the community.
It’s no secret that when it comes to under-resourced communities in predominantly Black and Brown neighborhoods, arts and music education is usually lacking. But the program director of the Watts-Willowbrook Conservatory & Youth Symphony, Billy Mitchell, says it’s not because the programs don’t exist.
The Watts-Willowbrook Conservatory (WWC) continues into its tenth year, serving youngsters from the South LA/Watts/Compton area. Beginners, intermediate and advanced students are welcome! (Ages 6 – 18) Applications available on-line at: www.sappa.net