3.11.04-- I have Gonorrhea.

Made you look.

No, I don't have gonorrhea. But I need all my lazy ass readers to listen up.  Because I got a problem that's bigger than gonorrhea.

What's bigger than gonorrhea? You ask.

Yet again, the trickle down effect of a war, a certain madman in power, a lopsided economy that puts making the rich richer as a priority above anything else that matters, has found it's way towards local arts funding.

Check it out.

LA's Cultural Affairs Department, the same department that just awarded me an Individual Artist Grant for Fall 2004, where I would have taught free/lo-cost performance workshops for women of color (and do a public showing after), is at risk of being ELIMINATED COMPLETELY.

Thus taking away my grant, and 3.5 million dollars in other artist and organizational grants with it!

Can I hear a collective "oh hell naw!" ?

This doesn't just have an effect on me and artists, but audiences and the economy of Los Angeles. Tourism, businesses surrounding arts spaces, and crime will all be affected by a decline of arts and culture. And CAD funds many art events that support communities of color and would otherwise not have access to arts. CAD also funds festivals that many residents of Los Angeles have been able to enjoy.

There is a reason I live in Los Angeles and not San Francisco. I live in Los Angeles not because I love traffic, smog, skyrocketing rents/ cost of living, and pretention-- but because this is where I think art and culture is thriving the most. This is where I feel I can learn and grow the most as an artist. And if the CAD is eliminated completely, I will be personally devastated not only as an artist but as a human being.

I may even move. I may shut down completely. I may be that lady pushing a shopping cart in front of your building with no teeth who reminices about "the good ol' days."

ART MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME. It's what has saved me on many occasions. It's what gives me and others joy and strength.

Ok folks, I give you my soul every week on this website and I beg that you help me out by making an effort to let Mayor Hahn and all these other nuckleheads know that eliminating the arts will not balance their budget.

First things first: Sign this petition

Even the laziest of people can do this. Don't disappoint me.

http://www.petitiononline.com/SaveCAD/petition.html

Second: Cut and paste the email below to Hahn and everyone else. Even if you don't live in Los Angeles.

Cut and paste the following email addresses and send the letter below.

reyes@council.lacity.org, greuel@council.lacity.org, zine@council.lacity.org, labonge@council.lacity.org, weiss@council.lacity.org, cardenas@council.lacity.org, padilla@council.lacity.org, parks@council.lacity.org, perry@council.lacity.org, ludlow@council.lacity.org, Miscikowski@council.lacity.org, smith@council.lacity.org, garcetti@council.lacity.org, villaraigosa@council.lacity.org, hahn@council.lacity.org, MayorHahn@mayor.lacity.org, dliu@MAYOR.lacity.org, jkirwan@MAYOR.lacity.org

Subject:  Do not eliminate the LA Cultural Affairs Department!

Dear (Council Person or whoever):

I am an (artist/administrator/whatever) and am very concerned about what is happening with the Cultural Affairs Department of the City of Los Angeles (CAD).  

It is a shame as: Just as Los Angeles was starting to get recognized by the rest of the world....posted in today's www.artsjournal.com daily newsletter:

" L.A. Culture: No, It's Not An Oxymoron To hear most people tell it, you would think that Los Angeles is a sun-drenched wasteland of zombified Hollywood dunderheads, sipping mineral water while they sit in traffic on their way to yet another insipid premiere. As far as arts and culture go, most East Coasters would probably smirk at the mention of such things existing in L.A. But while the rest of North America looks down its nose, Los Angeles has quietly become one of the continent's best arts towns, and other cities would do well to follow its example, says Martin Knelman. - Toronto Star 03/07/04"

http://www.artsjournal.com/artsissues/redir/20040308-41219.html

The economic impact to the city will be immeasurable as not only are individual artists and art organizations effected, but also so are the other economic sectors that support the arts industry in this city such as tourism, printing, facility rental, transportation, to name just a few.  We are writing to you so that you will reconsider and keep CAD intact;  Certainly other options, not as drastic are available.  Think "out of the box."

Sincerely,

(Your Name)
(Your Title)
(Your Organization) etc

Third: Make some calls. You can do it! It's easy!

I did it today and felt so big and bad. You can do it too!

IMPORTANT E-MAILS AND PHONE NUMBERS
Be sure to contact all of the people listed below by phone, e-mail, or snail mail. Be polite and courteous, and remember... some of the City Council people are actually on our side. Be firm in expressing your opposition to any cuts to the Cultural Affairs Department!

Last: Go to a city council meeting! Yes! And come in costume! Look for me, I will be with the girl in the alien costume!

Here is info on City Council Meetings. Go to them!!

Anyone can speak during "public comment time".

Call Tony the day before to make sure that they aren't in recess or cancelled
Tony, District 1: 213-485-3451 (you can also call any other District office to see)

Public Comment time starts at 10:00, keep comments to 2 minutes or so. Try to get there a few minutes before. Apparently they try to hear everyone out.

They happen on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 10:00AM.

200 North Spring Street, City Hall
Downtown LA, CA
Room 345

There are always at least 10 members present at each meeting. If there are not, they adjourn, that is why you should call the day before to make sure the meeting is still happening. It is recommended that you call in advance to make sure the meeting is happening. The day before is fine.