01-09-13 Los Angeles Times: “Second phase of L.A. arts fundraising plan begins”
January 9, 2013
‘Arts Matter’ campaign has brought in more than $750,000 in the last three months for arts in the public schools.
By Dalina Castellanos, Los Angeles Times
Standing on the steps of City Hall with three major artistic institutions in their line of vision, members of the Los Angeles Fund for Public Education launched the second part of their “Arts Matter” campaign Tuesday aimed at raising money for arts programs in the public schools.
Los Angeles Unified School District officials have struggled to maintain arts programs despite severe budget cuts over the last several years. The L.A. Fund was created to help the district retain those classes with a fundraising goal of $4 million.
“Here in the world’s creative capital we should ensure all of our students receive a comprehensive, integrated arts education,” said Megan Chernin, who formed the group with L.A. schools Supt. John Deasy in 2011. “Creativity is the engine that drives the Los Angeles economy.”
