Creativity Month in California Diversity, Opportunity push

By Desert Star Staff

April is the fifth annual Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month in California, and advocates for the arts are promoting diversity in the arts workforce and celebrating recent policy wins.

In Los Angeles, the County Board of Supervisors just voted to join Arts for LA’s Creative Jobs Collective Impact Initiative, which aims to create 10,000 living-wage jobs in the state’s creative sector by 2030.

Gustavo Herrera, CEO of Arts for LA, said the idea is to rebuild the arts economy after COVID.

“We are focusing on centering youth and adults from historically underrepresented communities,” Herrera explained. “Here in Los Angeles, approximately 59%, or nearly three-fifths of our arts workforce, currently self-identify as white.”

The collective’s steering committee is putting together recommendations on legislation, budget investments, joint programming, data/ accountability, and cooperative communication efforts - and will report back to the Board in October. Find out more about arts advocacy at ‘Arts4LA.org.’

Meanwhile, artists, advocates, and policymakers are gathering in Sacramento for an Arts and Culture Summit on April 17, followed by a rally and meetings with lawmakers on April 18.

Herrera emphasized that April is the perfect time to get involved.

“It’s so important that we have a strong community of advocates, pushing for arts and culture in every community,” Herrera urged. “And then also, to just go out and experience the arts and celebrate all of the creativity across the state.”

The summit will celebrate recent policy wins for the arts sector, including the passage of Prop 28 last year, which will direct millions more per year toward arts education.