Dear Friends and Supporters of Angels Gate Cultural Center:
As you may already know, the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs is being threatened with catastrophic budget and staff cuts. Staff reductions of 24-48% have been proposed as well as the total elimination of the $2.2 million in grants that the Department awards annually. This includes grants that have been awarded for the rest of this year that have not been invoiced and funding for the Angels Gate Cultural Center galleries. In addition, the City of Los Angeles Budget and Finance Committee has put forward a motion that could eliminate any obligation to fund the Department of Cultural Affairs at all.
We don’t have to tell you about the valuable programs and organizations that will be adversely affected by this action. The arts in Los Angeles are a 14.8 billion dollar industry. For every dollar spent by the Department of Cultural Affairs, eight dollars are generated directly in jobs for artists and businesses. This doesn’t even take into account the value of the arts to society overall…
We need your help and we need it now!
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Attend a Letter-Writing Party TONIGHT:
What: Angels Gate Cultural Center, in partnership with the Grand Vision Foundation, will be hosting a letter-writing party – paper, pre-written letters, pens, envelopes and any writing assistance will be provided!
Where: the Grand Annex on 6th Street in Downtown San Pedro
When: Monday, February 1st from 5:30-8:00 pm
Why: We will write letters to the city council, Council District 15 councilmember Janice Hahn and the Mayor’s office, letting them know how important the Department of Cultural Affairs and its services are to you and your families. Your words can change things.
Click Below to send a Letter Online:
If you can’t make it to our letter-writing party, you can write a letter online via the Arts for LA website. If you don’t live in the City, but enjoy the services provided by the DCA, you should direct your Emails to either council president Eric Garcetti or councilmember Janice Hahn, who represents Council District 15, where the Angels Gate Cultural Center is located.
You can also contact your councilmember’s office directly, via the City of Los Angeles website.
Thank you for your efforts and continued support,
The Angels Gate Cultural Center Staff:
Deborah Lewis, Executive Director
Marshall Astor, Visual Arts Director
Jessica Yang, Education Director
Oscar Garcia, Development Director
Dana Joy Helwick, Program Administrator
