Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
County plans to invest in SELA arts ahead of planned regional cultural center
A Gehry Partners rendering of how the planned SELA Cultural Center would look from above.
(
Courtesy of Los Angeles County and Gehry Partners, LLP
)
A planned Frank Gehry-designed arts and culture complex in South Gate, a stone’s throw from the Los Angeles River and the 710 Freeway, is still far away.
Listen
• 1:48
County plans to invest in SELA arts ahead of planned regional cultural center
But L.A. County officials are securing funding — including for artists and art programs in the Southeast region before the planned SELA Cultural Center becomes a reality.
Plans to move ahead with the multi-building arts and culture complex were green-lighted by county officials late last year. The planned Imperial Highway campus, set to be designed by Gehry Partners, is to act as a local arts hub providing arts education, workshops, art galleries, rehearsal rooms and performance space.
Support for LAist comes from
The project has drawn $124 million in state funding so far; there’s no ETA for completion yet. L.A County supervisors voted unanimously this week to accept an additional $5 million from the state to support arts and culture programs in the region before there’s a physical space.
Supervisor Janice Hahn, whose 4th District includes Southeast L.A., authored the motion.
“When we get the SELA Cultural Center…finally complete, it is going to be a new hub for creativity, art, and community for this region — but until that day comes, we want to invest in the artists here in SELA and make sure they have the support they need while we work on building their new home,” said Hahn, who was absent from Tuesday’s vote, in an emailed statement.
A Gehry Partners rendering of a building within the planned SELA Cultural Center arts complex.
(
Courtesy of Los Angeles County and Gehry Partners, LLC
)
County officials will work with the county’s Department of Arts and Culture to develop a plan for how best to spend and disburse the arts funding, Hahn spokesperson Liz Odendahl said.
Meanwhile, the arts complex project itself remains in the fundraising process. Plans are to build the complex on Imperial just off the confluence of the L.A. River and the Rio Hondo, on a Los Angeles Flood Control District property now being used as a maintenance facility.
Support for LAist comes from
A screen shot of SELA Cultural Center's planned location.
(
Screen shot from Bing Maps
)
The idea was initially proposed by former Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood), who represents the area, and it is part of the L.A. River Master Plan. Over the years, plans for the cultural center have drawn both praise and skepticism: praise for its investment in a part of the L.A. region that has long suffered from neglect and industrial pollution, and skepticism from groups who fear it could draw outside speculators to this predominantly Latino area, leading to gentrification and the displacement of its low-income residents.
South Gate’s household incomes are below the state average, according to census data, with 17.5% of households considered to be living in poverty.
The area surrounding the planned cultural center would also eventually be served by Metro’s forthcoming Southeast Gateway Line, which is set for completion in 2035.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist