5 Organizations Supporting Artists in Los Angeles
It's tough to get noticed in Los Angeles, and those who embark on creative careers in this city need all the help they can get. These organizations nurture emerging artists and honor those who create work that's worth seeing by bringing attention to meaningful writing and visual art. Whether you're new to the city or have been a part of the art scene for years, the groups on this list can help you network, fund important projects, receive training, and be a part of exhibitions that can put you on the map. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
5 Organizations for Artists in the Los Angeles Area
| Name | Focus |
|---|---|
| Writers Guild Foundation | Helps writers in the entertainment industry engage with the community through mentoring and volunteer programs, and houses the Shavelson-Webb Library, the only library in the world focused exclusively on screenwriting |
| Center for Cultural Innovation | Provides professional development grants, business training, and facilitates strategic partnerships to encourage economic independence for people working in the arts |
| HUMANITAS | Honors film and television writers who use their work to meaningfully examine the human condition, and offers programs that support emerging voices as they pursue stage and screen careers |
| Los Angeles Art Association | Nurtures local talent with exhibitions in a variety of media, art fairs, lectures, networking activities, career workshops, panel discussions, experimental film and video screenings, mentorship opportunities for young artists, and international exchange programs |
| Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions | Presents diverse, challenging works that experiment with both ideas and aesthetics in forms including digital media and performance art, along with offering apprenticeship and the Emerging Curators Program |
Katherine Rohrbacher on the Impact of the Los Angeles Art Association
The Arts Economy in Los Angeles
- Creative industries are responsible for generating nearly $179 billion per year in Los Angeles
- The non-profit visual and performing arts sector contributes $3.6 billion and 36,000 jobs
- The L.A. area has more than 100 museums
- Creative industries constitute 19.7% of L.A. County's total employment
- The average wages of female professionals in creative industries have risen in L.A. County by 40% over the past 11 years
- Mean annual wage of fine artists: $78,010
- Of photographers: $56,980
- Of producers and directors: $122,310
- Of choreographers: $57,080
- Of writers and authors: $109,690
- According to the WGA, more than 6,000 writers reported employment in 2018, and total writer earnings were around $1.56 billion.
- The Writers Guild of America West has approximately 20,000 members
An Introduction to the HUMANITAS Prize
In Depth
With its vibrant street art, galleries, museums, and music and film culture, Los Angeles is among the best places for artists of all stripes to practice and showcase their work. It wouldn't be so thriving, however, if it wasn't for the many passionate organizations working every day to support people's creative endeavors. Providing essential resources such as grants, classes, professional development, exhibition opportunities, and more, here are, in no particular order, five groups giving vital support to creators throughout LA.
For #1 we have the Writers Guild Foundation, which was established in 1966 to preserve and celebrate the history, craft, and enduring importance of screen storytelling. A hub for both burgeoning writers and entertainment aficionados, it provides many opportunities for people to become creatively engaged through programs, events, and research. Notable offerings include the Veterans Writing Project, which supplies promising writers from the US military with tools to develop their skills, and the Volunteer and Mentorship Program, which gives youth from underserved communities chances to explore writing and filmmaking with Guild members and other groups.
A vital community resource, the Foundation's Shavelson-Webb Library is the only library in the world focused exclusively on screenwriting. Open to the public, it contains over 40,000 items comprising produced film, television, video game, and radio scripts, as well as entertainment industry-related books, videos, and periodicals. The Foundation's archival collections, meanwhile, include historical materials from the Writers Guild of America, scripts and production notes, memorabilia, and annotated drafts. Materials from the Archive are accessible to the public with minimal restrictions. Make a donation online to help sustain the art of storytelling for the screen.
Open to the public, it contains over 40,000 items comprising produced film, television, video game, and radio scripts, as well as entertainment industry-related books, videos, and periodicals.
Landing at #2 is the Center for Cultural Innovation. Through grants, business training, and innovative projects, CCI aims to facilitate networking, knowledge-sharing, and economic independence for people working in the arts. Fueled by a belief in the power of self-determination, it operates by connecting a diversity of creators to contemporary professional tools and practices, forging productive partnerships that work toward generating positive systemic change. The organization makes an ongoing impact through a wide range of philanthropic activities related to funding, advocacy, education, research, and more.
Addressing the many needs of those in the creative field, CCI's funding programs provide direct support to an array of individuals, commercial businesses, and non-profit arts organizations all throughout California. Among the programs is the CALI Accelerator, which gives professional development grants to fledgling arts leaders, with a priority to those who come from underrepresented backgrounds. The organization also launches a number of important initiatives, such as Ambitious, an effort to motivate the development of alternative economies to help artists realize financial freedom. Support California's creative communities by sending a gift to CCI.
For #3 we get HUMANITAS. With the goal of promoting global peace, kindness, and community through art, this organization honors film and television writers who use their work to meaningfully examine the human condition. Every year, it awards the HUMANITAS Prize to screenwriters whose scripts inspire empathy, provoke thought, and prompt audiences to become more socially and culturally aware. It also bestows a lifetime achievement award, as well as a prize dedicated to risk-taking individuals who are working to effect beneficial structural changes in society.
It also bestows a lifetime achievement award, as well as a prize dedicated to risk-taking individuals who are working to effect beneficial structural changes in society.
Designed to cultivate and empower up-and-coming writers, HUMANITAS' NEW VOICES program gives emerging talent from around the world the opportunity to develop an original script alongside esteemed mentors. Winners are honored at the annual awards ceremony, and receive a significant grant prize. Los Angeles-area playwrights are also able to get involved thanks to the PLAY LA program, which helps early to mid-career writers with creating new stage works. In addition, HUMANITAS awards fellowships to college students and graduates who are attempting to break into the entertainment industry. Assist the group's efforts by donating through its site or by mail.
At #4 is the Los Angeles Art Association. Founded in 1925 to give city residents opportunities to view fine American and European art, today L.A.A.A. continues to serve a significant role in the creative community by offering a variety of public exhibitions, programs, lectures, and networking activities. With an emphasis on nurturing incipient talent, the organization serves a wide-ranging assortment of artists from all socioeconomic backgrounds working in a range of media. By providing them with the resources and exposure they need to advance their careers, L.A.A.A. strives to build and sustain the vibrant cultural identity of the community.
Included among L.A.A.A.'s programming are career workshops, panel discussions, experimental film and video screenings, mentorship opportunities for young artists, and international exchange programs. Creators have plenty of chances to submit their work to the organization's gallery exhibitions, where they are reviewed by an array of professionals in the field. Frequently partnering with other groups, L.A.A.A. also hosts events such as art fairs, guided tours at locations around the world, and a special annual exhibition in West Hollywood celebrating Gay Pride Month. If you're an emerging creator, get involved by joining as a member.
Frequently partnering with other groups, L.A.A.A.
Finally, for #5 we come to Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions, a non-profit, free-to-the-public Hollywood venue that exhibits, champions, and cultivates artistic innovation. Operating with the goal of advancing discourse and participation between contemporary creators and audiences, it presents diverse, challenging works that experiment with both ideas and aesthetics, encompassing forms such as digital media, installations, and performance art. On top of its exhibitions, LACE contributes to creative development through education initiatives and strategic partnerships.
One of the ways LACE engages and nurtures the arts community is through its Emerging Creators Program, which gives promising curatorial talent the chance to develop an exhibition. Another significant offering central to the organization's mission is the Apprenticeship Program, which equips undergraduate and recent graduate students with professional skills through comprehensive, hands-on experience. Providing training in areas including development, research, and communications, it offers valuable opportunities for career and network-building. Help sustain LACE's operations by purchasing merchandise and artwork online.
