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.
Why LAUSD students and celebrity alumni are partnering to raise more money for the arts
Listen
• 1:00
Van Nuys High students Alexis Davidson and Jarrett Elam practice on the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion stage.
(
Carla Javier/KPCC
)
Over 230 students from around the district rehearsed for the concert on stage at The Music Center, including Legacy VAPA High School's All Star Choir.
(
Carla Javier/KPCC
)
LAUSD budgeted over $31 million for arts education this year to do things like pay and train arts teachers and to buy arts supplies – but that isn't enough to cover all of the district's arts related expenses like providing musical instruments to all students who want to learn music and bringing students on field trips to local studios and museums.
"Since I arrived at LAUSD in 2014, the arts branch budget has more than doubled," the district's Arts Education Branch executive director Rory Pullens explained. "But it still does not compare to what [the arts budget was] 2007, pre-economic downturn."
To help cover the gap, the district has enlisted the help of celebrity alumni, including actor siblings Patricia and David Arquette and singer-songwriter Siedah Garrett, for a fundraiser at the Music Center.
But, the main stars of the show are actually current LAUSD students.
Support for LAist comes from
https://twitter.com/VAPA_at_Legacy/status/984287869563842560
Over 230 students are featured in the program, dancing, drumming, singing, marching, and performing spoken word poetry.
https://twitter.com/carlamjavier/status/984484567795953664
https://twitter.com/carlamjavier/status/984519622375260160
One of them is Van Nuys High sophomore Jarrett Elam. Elam said he first learned to dance in a class offered at his school in sixth grade. He'll dance on The Music Center stage as part of the concert.
"It's the biggest honor I've ever experienced. Being here, looking at the stage, everything is just so mesmerizing," he said. "It's like straight out of a movie, or a dream or something."
Van Nuys High students Alexis Davidson and Jarrett Elam practice a routine on The Music Center stage.
(
Carla Javier/KPCC
)
Support for LAist comes from
Van Nuys junior Alexis Davidson takes the stage with him.
"I would never have expected to be dancing here. I've seen a few performances here," she said. "It's cool to be up there performing yourself."
Pullens said the district will use the funds raised at the concert to supply students with instruments, and to repair broken ones, and to create "portable performance kits" with sound and light equipment so schools with outdated auditoriums can put on student performances anywhere, among other projects.
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