In a step toward economic empowerment for underrepresented artists, the LA County Department of Arts and Culture announced the launch of the Public Artists in Development (PAiD) program yesterday. Funded by the Mellon Foundation, this multi-year initiative aims to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in public art, while thinking about the sustainability of the LA County creative economy with artists' needs in mind. According to the department's press release, the $1.75 million grant will fund various components of the PAiD program, including an Artist Council, temporary public art commissions, a year-long Public Art Apprenticeship, and free professional development workshops and events.
The initiative is designed to provide support and resources specifically for underrepresented artists, such as artists of color, artists with disabilities, Indigenous artists, LGBTQIA artists, self-taught artists, artists of non-traditional mediums, and emerging artists. These groups have often faced historic and structural barriers to entering the field of public art. By focusing on professional development and economic empowerment, the PAiD program hopes to amplify diverse voices within the public art realm and ultimately foster a more inclusive society.
The first component of the PAiD program to launch is the Artist Council. Comprised of an eight-member group of artists, they'll work together to help inform Arts and Culture policies and practices, aiming to improve artist selection, outreach, engagement, and contracting. In addition to their advisory roles, each artist will be granted a project budget to develop a temporary public artwork. Dyson & Womack, public art consultants, were selected to manage the Artist Council program, organizing policy discussions and overseeing the implementation of temporary public art commissions. The open call for artists to apply to be part of the first Artist Council cohort will start in October.
Alongside the Artist Council, the Public Art Apprenticeship opportunities within the PAiD program will become available in December, offering one-on-one support with a project budget for artists to complete their first public art projects. Additionally, Dyson & Womack will collaborate with Arts and Culture to launch free professional development workshops beginning in early 2024, equipping artists with transferable skills and resources while promoting community partnerships.
To inform and support the PAiD program, Arts and Culture is partnering with local arts leaders across LA County, leveraging their experience, expertise, and networks. The organization, together with consultant Dyson & Womack, will convene community partners such as Betty Avila, formerly Executive Director of Self Help Graphics; Karen Mack, Executive Director of LA Commons; Eric Kim, Co-founder of Human Resources Los Angeles; Jocelyn Ayala, former Outreach Director of The da Center for the Arts; and Emily Hopkins, Executive Director of Side Street Projects, among others. These community leaders will play a crucial role in providing feedback and contributing to the shaping areas of the PAiD program.
"We are excited to leverage this generous support from the Mellon Foundation to remove barriers and ensure LA County is a place where diverse artists can truly thrive," said Kristin Sakoda, Director of the Department of Arts and Culture. Their commitment to addressing barriers to entry in the field of public art is backed by the support of Janice Hahn, Board of Supervisors Chair and Supervisor to the Fourth Supervisorial District, who also emphasizes the importance of ensuring artists from diverse backgrounds can make artwork and engage in creative careers.
By fostering accessibility and inclusivity, the program seeks not only to improve the overall quality of life but also to encourage greater civic engagement, health, and education outcomes while driving economic vitality, as noted by Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath.
