$12 Million Arts Fund Unveiled in Response to LA Fires

Los Angeles arts institutions have united to create a $12 million emergency fund for wildfire-affected artists.

At a Glance

A $12 million LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund has been established to support artists and arts workers affected by wildfires.
The fund is led by J. Paul Getty Trust with contributions from major institutions and foundations.
The Center for Cultural Innovation plans to administer emergency grants to impacted individuals.
The initiative aims to address immediate needs and potential long-term support.
Applications for emergency grants are available at www.cciarts.org.

Los Angeles Arts Community Rallies in Face of Devastating Wildfires

The Los Angeles arts sector has mobilized to create a $12 million emergency fund for artists and arts workers impacted by the recent devastating wildfires. This initiative, known as the LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund, represents a collaborative effort led by the J. Paul Getty Trust and includes contributions from major institutions such as LACMA, MOCA, and the Hammer Museum.

The fund aims to provide immediate financial assistance to those in the creative community who have lost homes, studios, or livelihoods due to the fires. With applications opening on Monday through the Center for Cultural Innovation’s website (www.cciarts.org), the initiative seeks to address pressing needs such as housing deposits, clothing, and food for fire victims.

L.A. museums launch $12-million emergency fund for artists hit by the fires https://t.co/vfnN2aMeRW

— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) January 15, 2025

Global Support for Los Angeles Arts

The establishment of this fund underscores the global cultural significance of Los Angeles and its arts community. Contributions have poured in from a diverse array of sources, including East West Bank, the Mellon Foundation, the Andy Warhol Foundation, Qatar Museums, and the Ford Foundation, among others. Individual philanthropists, such as the family foundation of Mellody Hobson and George Lucas, have also stepped forward to support this crucial effort.

“People around the world are watching in horror as vast areas of Los Angeles burn, but this regional tragedy has global cultural repercussions,” Katherine E. Fleming, President and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust, stated. “Amid the losses suffered by the artists and arts workers who so strongly define LA, Getty is grateful to the many partners, local, national, and international, who have come together to meet the urgent needs of this community.”

This statement from Fleming highlights the far-reaching impact of the Los Angeles wildfires on the global cultural landscape. The city’s role as a creative powerhouse has garnered international attention and support during this crisis.

Long-Term Vision for Artist Support

While the immediate focus is on emergency relief, the fund’s organizers are also considering long-term rebuilding efforts. The initiative is designed to be an ongoing effort, with plans to distribute funds in phases over months or potentially years. This approach recognizes the extended impact that natural disasters can have on the creative community and aims to provide sustained support.

The fund also emphasizes inclusivity, acknowledging the disproportionate impact of disasters on disabled individuals within the arts community. This comprehensive approach aims to ensure that all affected artists and arts workers receive the support they need to recover and continue their creative pursuits.

A United Front in Crisis

The rapid formation of this relief fund demonstrates the strength and resilience of the Los Angeles arts community. It marks a significant moment of collaboration among various institutions and highlights the global connections that support the city’s cultural landscape.

As the Los Angeles arts community faces this unprecedented challenge, the creation of the LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund stands as a testament to the power of collective action and the enduring spirit of creativity in the face of adversity. The fund not only provides crucial support to those directly affected by the wildfires but also reaffirms Los Angeles’s position as a global cultural hub worthy of protection and preservation.