Los Angeles- The LA Times is reporting that the City Council members unanimously rejected the elimination of the arts program after receiving much pressure from the pulic. As previously reported here, the the rumbling rumors about possible budget slashes in the arts had created quite a passionate opposition spearheaded by arts groups, advocates, and organizations.
However, this does not mean that Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) was completely spared, although the council did not follow City Administrative Officer Miguel Santana's recommendations to eliminate the $4 million arts grants program. DCA will still have to try to find least $500,000 in savings in her current budget.
The plan originally proposed plan to do away with the arts agency's reliable funding had been a major concern for Olga Garay, executive director of the Department of Cultural Affairs, as well as for arts advocates. Since 1989, the city has earmarked $1 in taxes per $100 of hotel room charges for the DCA-- money that provides the mayority of its $9.6-million budget.
Although six council members, including President Eric Garcetti, had done a written motion last week to repeal guaranteed arts funding, it never came to a vote because the council unanimously decided it should be "received and filed."
Yesterday, the council heard from more than 30 speakers who denounced the proposed arts cuts. While numerous others rs looked on in the council chamber, many of who sporting red stick-on badges provided by the Arts for L.A. advocacy group, which during the days before the meeting had led a massive e-campaign opposing the cuts to help bridge a projected two-year budget gap of nearly $700 million.
Many denounced that a city which claims to be a world capital of entertainment, arts, and culture would suffer widespread ridicule if arts grants were eliminated. Others advocated for the arts' economic benefits and their key role in keeping many out of trouble.
Image from LA Times: Artist Lilia Ramirez, clad in a white gown and huge white angel wings as "a homage to the city of Los Angeles.""Art saved me," she told council members. "I was in the streets, I wasn't doing so good. Here I am today, giving love and light to everyone."
UPDATE
Click here if you would like to take a moment to Thank the LA City Council members for not eliminating funding from DCA and to encourage them to continue supporting the arts in LA
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