I know it’s been quiet here lately, but I’m too busy to write well, and I’d rather not write poorly.
Department of Cultural Affairs head Olga Garay confirmed to KPCC that 33 out of 70 full time employees at the department are out. That’s 50% folks…
One of the interesting aspects of these layoffs that I’m getting word on from DCA folks is that some of them are being structured to anticipate the “bumping rights” of various senior employees, which make it difficult to simply lay someone off without that employee being able to force another, less senior employee out of their position. So it’s basically impossible for whomever runs the department to truly have power in structuring their staff, in particular, the most senior staff in leadership positions. I cannot even begin to rant here about how ridiculous I feel things like “bumping rights” are, particularly in times of crisis. This is an issue that’s being faced by every department, not just the DCA, but the small size of the DCA makes it have a greater impact.
Also it’s basically been confirmed that the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Watts Towers and the associated Art Center are to be privatized. It’s been known for a while that the DCA is looking for private partners to take over the operations of several of its facilities, this is new.
The Watts Towers are the most important “art object” and cultural monument in the City of Los Angeles, and have been on what amounts to a starvation budget for far, far too long. The Towers are owned by the State of California and are a State Historic Park. They need a serious private partner like the Getty, with a proven track record of preservation, research and promotion of historic sites. If I could wave a wand here, I’d see the Getty Conservation Institute take over the Towers and use the facility as a local showcase of the incredible preservation work that they’re doing in every corner of the globe.
…and what, again, does this have to do with Lady Gaga?
I jest. These are serious times. In my industry a lot is up in the air, but private ownership is on the table. It seems that a lot of things will go to private ownership. Drastic restructuring as we speak.
Maybe Lady Gaga can start a nonprofit that will operate arts facilities in LA? I don’t know on that one.
The Towers are owned by the State of California, and will stay that way. What’s going to be privatized is the operation of the Art Center and the various programs that relate to the Towers themselves. I think this is exactly the kind of place where the right private foundation, like the Getty Conservation Institute, could partner with the City of LA to really take this facility to a level that the City can’t do alone.
[...] latest on the L.A. cultural budget cuts. Not pretty. More [...]