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9 Arts Centers Face Possible Closure Due to City Budget Crisis
At the Watts Towers (Photo by let 'er rip via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
Nine of Los Angeles' arts centers could face closure thanks to the city's budget crisis, and an arts advocacy group is urging the community to work together to urge the City Council to keep these arts centers going. According to Arts for LA, the 9 locations that could lose their Department of Cultural Affairs funding are:
1. Barnsdall Arts Center
2. Barnsdall Junior Arts Center
3. William Grants Still Arts Center
4. Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center
5. Watts Towers Arts Center
6. Madrid Theater
7. Barnsdall Gallery Theatre
8. Warner Grand Theatre
9. Vision Theatre (when the rehab is complete)
To help the community work to raise awareness of the importance of these arts programs and facilities, Arts for LA is acting as a "convenor" in order to provide a framework for communities to effectively organize around an area of mutual concern, interest and value," adding that they hope "the City will continue to maintain its commitment to providing access to rich and diverse cultural experiences for its 4+ million residents and 25 million annual visitors."
The plight of these arts centers has been discussed by The Arts, Parks, Health & Aging Committee, and will be brought up before the entire City Council at a future date.