LOS ANGELES (CNS) - With the COVID-19 pandemic canceling arts and cultural events in Los Angeles and creating what Councilman John Lee called a “catastrophic financial impact'' on artists and nonprofit art organizations, the City Council today unanimously approved a resolution to support allocating relief funding to local arts workers and nonprofits.
“The direct employment generated by the Los Angeles creative industries and the indirect employment they create through multiplier effects constitutes 16.3% of Los Angeles County's total employment,'' Lee's resolution said. “Los Angeles is home to over 735 nonprofit arts and cultural organizations who employ over 27,000 arts workers contributing to the economic, social and civic life of Los Angeles.''
The resolution noted a Southern Methodist University study that found that L.A. has the third-largest arts sector in the country and is first in terms of creative workforce.
“Arts workers in L.A. have been devastated by the pandemic. Over 100,000 creative sector jobs have been lost in the region and the devastation has disproportionately impacted (Black, Indigenous and people of color) creatives, workers and BIPOC-led organizations,'' Gustavo Herrera, executive director of Arts for L.A., said in a call into the City Council meeting.
“The arts make L.A. the creative capital of the world. We must invest in the small businesses and arts workers that keep our communities healthy, sustainable and equitable.''
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