Arts Advocacy

Arts Advocacy

Mayor Hahn’s Budget Slashes 30% from the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department

Eliminating Los Angeles General Fund Allocations for the Cultural Affairs Department FY 2003-04 Level is $2,080,000; Requested FY2004-05 Level is 0.

Invading the Arts and Cultural Facilities and Services Trust Fund[1] Los Angeles Administrative Code 5.115.4 requires 1% of Transient Occupancy Tax for the Arts and Cultural Facilities and Services Trust Fund. Although the amount to be collected is projected to be between $7.6 and 8.5 million, the amount to be expended in 2004-05 is $5.5 million.

Funds Available for Grants/Special Events would be reduced by $1.7 million FY 2003-04 in 3 categories is $5.6 million, FY 2004-05 Mayor’s Budget $3.9 million.

Arts for LA’s position
-Mayor and Council commit now to restoration of General Fund allocations when the City is on better financial ground.
-Restore the full allocation of TOT equivalent funds to the CAD's 2004-05 Budget (Currently estimated to be between $7.5 and $8.5 million.)
-Put any re-allocated funds into the Grants program to address the needs of the many meritorious programs and services previously supported by the Grants/Special Events Programs.

We ask that you:

1. Contact the City Council at http://www.lacity.org/council.htm and ask them to restore funding to the Cultural Affairs Department. Tell us http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB2GTREWFUX who http://www.zoomerangaddress/ you’ll contact & report back at http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB2GTUAWHM4 to tell us their response.

2. If you’re available, be an Arts for LA representative at the City Council Budget and Finance Committee Meetings. We’re seeking two or three per day to attend, speak on behalf of Arts for LA (this broad coalition of Arts Leaders from throughout the city), and then report back to saveCAD@yahoogroups.com and http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB2GTUAWHM4 on what transpired. The Committee hasn’t determined what day they’ll hear the CAD Budget. Daily Meetings begin on Monday April 26th & end May 11 in the Ferraro Council Chamber in the Los Angeles City Hall. All meetings are from 2-5 pm, except on these days: 26th, 29th, 3rd and 6th - when they go from 9am - 5pm. If you can spend 2 hours on one day of those days to represent us, please contact Danielle Brazell dangirl@mindspring.com

3. For current updates, please join saveCAD@yahoogroups.com or look for postings at the Center for Cultural Innovation http://www.cci2002.org/CAD.htm

4. SEND THIS ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW! IN ADDITION TO HEARING FROM THOSE WHO WORK IN THE ARTS, IT'S IMPORTANT TO FOR THE COUNCIL TO HEAR FROM THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE ARTS IN L.A.

Jerry Yoshitomi

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email me at meaningmatters@aol.com

Back to Advocacy Main Page

Updated: 4/27/04

Great Leap, Inc. ~ 1145 Wilshire Boulevard Suite 100-D, Los Angeles CA 90017 ~ (213) 250-8800 ~ Fax (213) 250-8801