Watts Arts Centers Get Reprieve
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The Los Angeles City Council voted to remove Watts Arts Center and the
Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center from the list of centers scheduled
for privatization. (Photo by LeTania Kirkland)
After nearly closing their doors, two community arts centers in Watts
were granted more time to operate in the community, but the long-term
still remains unclear.
The Charles Mingus Youth Arts
Center and the Watts Towers Arts Center were both removed from a list
of city arts institutions being considered for privatization.
Councilwoman Janice Hahn, who initially recommended the two sites,
removed the centers for consideration. Wednesday, community members in
Watts held a rally at the Watts Towers Arts center to voice their
concerns and opposition to the proposed plans. Advocates were also at
the morning City Council meeting to oppose the measure.
Center and the Watts Towers Arts Center were both removed from a list
of city arts institutions being considered for privatization.
Councilwoman Janice Hahn, who initially recommended the two sites,
removed the centers for consideration. Wednesday, community members in
Watts held a rally at the Watts Towers Arts center to voice their
concerns and opposition to the proposed plans. Advocates were also at
the morning City Council meeting to oppose the measure.
Hahn
also agreed to provide $9,000 to preserve the job of the centers'
educational coordinator, Rogelio Acevedo, until July. The money was
transferred to the Department of Cultural Affairs from a discretionary
fund in Hahn's office. Acevedo's job was set to be eliminated March 31.
Without an educational coordinator, the centers' director, Rosie Lee
Hooks was forced to cancel the art programs offered at the sites.
Classes have been reinstated, but the future remains uncertain.
Jennifer
Rivera, a spokeswoman for Hahn, said the councilwoman will continue to
look for options and search for non-profit organizations interested in
funding additional programs in both of the arts centers. By creating
additional services, she said, this would help safeguard the centers
from closure if the budget crisis persists.
"Hopefully
we can have enough programs in place through private institutions that
there won't be any real service impacts on the community."
David
G. Brown, an art instructor said he was relieved to hear about
Councilwoman Hahn's decision. He has taught comic book animation at the
site since 1994 and said there is tremendous talent in Watts, which the
art center has helped cultivate through the years. He said he hopes the
city will work to communicate directly with locals to address their
concerns about the centers.
G. Brown, an art instructor said he was relieved to hear about
Councilwoman Hahn's decision. He has taught comic book animation at the
site since 1994 and said there is tremendous talent in Watts, which the
art center has helped cultivate through the years. He said he hopes the
city will work to communicate directly with locals to address their
concerns about the centers.
"I just hope that they realize the value of the arts in the community. It's got to be institutionalized and consistent," said Brown.
Though
the economic future is uncertain, Rivera said councilwoman Hahn
understands the importance of the art centers and is committed to their
survival.
"The arts are very important to everybody
there and it's crucial in that community. She [Hahn] understands that
and has partnered with the community to make sure they experience the
least amount of impact," said Rivera.
