This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
Long Beach Will Provide Living Stipends For Artists
A beach path in Long Beach. (Lita Martinez/LAist)
The city of Long Beach will offer $500 monthly stipends to 150 artists who are out of work because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The application-based program is intended to help recipients cover basic necessities, for a period of six months.
Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia said creative workers are struggling to stay in the city .
“We don’t want to lose people forever,” he said. “This something that really I hope many more cities take on.”
Long Beach joins San Francisco, which is launching a $1,000 monthly stipend for artists.
Garcia said the Long Beach experiment is a precursor to a citywide universal income program.
“I think guaranteed income programs are the future,” he said, “so programs like this should be experimented [with] … in as many places as possible.”.
Sponsored message
Long Beach previously provided federal stimulus funds to some renters. This program also taps federal funding.
City officials hope to begin sending payments to qualifying artists in January.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
