The Responsibility for Funding Arts in the L.A. Community

Regarding Christopher Knight’s article “Arts Funding in L.A.: How Not to Do It,” (Calendar, Sept. 4), one must recognize the tremendous responsibility the Cultural Affairs Department has undertaken to the community and art world.

Art is an expression of our humanity; therefore, an important means in which we can gain insight into our lives is through art. If the department can help elevate the frustrations of the youth at risk to gangs and drugs, if it can help the senior citizens enjoy creativity, if it can help museums create programs for families, if it can help new emigrants to be assimilated into our community, then we believe the department has done a good job.

The Cultural Affairs Department places a high value on art for and by the community rather than “work for contemplation.” Given the very name, the Cultural Affairs Department, the emphasis must be on the community, not the individual. There are other programs, such as the National Endowment for the Arts, that provide fellowships for the development of the individual artist’s work. Knight has failed to grasp the true character and function of the Cultural Affairs Department.

PAZ COHEN

BROOKE WILSON

DAGOBERTO REYES

DAVID BRADY

JOSE ANTONIO AGUIRRE

LAURIE LEVIN

JAVIER FUENTE

Artists for a

Social Conscience in L.A.

Beverly Hills