Los Angeles, CA: Arts for LA, the bipartisan nonprofit arts advocacy organization committed to fostering a healthy environment in which the arts and culture may thrive and be accessible to all in Los Angeles, will hold a candidate forum with Senator Ridley-Thomas on Saturday, April 12th from 10:30-12:00pm at the Veterans Memorial Complex located at 4117 Overland Ave, Culver City 90230. This event is free and open to the public; however, seating is limited. Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made through the Arts for LA website: wwwartsforla.org

The conversation, moderated by Val Zavala, V. P. News and Public Affairs, KCET, Los Angeles,will provide stakeholders an opportunity to learn about Ridley-Thomas’ awareness of and commitment to the arts and arts education in Los Angeles County. A forum with Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard Parks, identified as the other top candidate vying for the seat, is also being organized.

Additional candidates include Antonio Alvarez, a real estate agent; Martin Luther King Aubrey, a maintenance painter; Drew Fenton, a physician; Morris Griffin, a maintenance technician; Thomas Neusom, an attorney; Delaney Smith Jr., a physician; and Florian Thompson, who works in dental medicine.

California State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas is running for the 2nd District LA County Supervisorial seat vacated by Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke. Mark Ridley-Thomas was first elected to public office in 1991 and has since served more than a dozen years on the Los Angeles City Council and two years at the State Senate. Before embarking on his political career, Ridley-Thomas worked as Executive Director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Los Angeles. His interest and investment in neighborhood councils led him to found the Empowerment Congress, one of the most successful neighborhood councils in the region.

Val Zavala oversees KCET's local news and public affairs productions.
For the past sixteen years she has been a vital part of KCET’s signature series, Life & Times, serving as its anchor or co-anchor from 1999 through 2007. Life & Times has won 21 L.A. Area Emmys and 30 Golden Mikes.

Los Angeles County’s investment in the cultural life of our region is significant. Its commitment to fostering artistic excellence, diversity, vitality, understanding and accessibility of the arts in Los Angeles county is evidenced through its cornerstone cultural institutions, LACMA, the Music Center and the Natural History Museum, and through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. Founded in 1947 by the County Board of Supervisors, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission provides leadership and staff to support the regional blueprint for arts education, Arts for All, administers a grants program that funds more than 250 nonprofit arts organizations annually; oversees the County’s Civic Art Program for capital projects, funds the largest arts internship program in the country in conjunction with the Getty Foundation, programs the John Anson Ford Theatres and supports the Los Angeles County Cultural Calendar on ExerienceLA.com. The Commission also produces free community programs including the L.A. Holiday Celebration broadcast nationally, and a year-round music programs that funds more than 40 free concerts a year in public sites. Combined this commitment has made Los Angeles County the largest public arts funder in the region.

Additional support for this event is provided by the California Artist Coalition of Los Angeles, Emerging Arts Leaders Network/Los Angeles, the Harmony Project, and LA Stage Alliance.

California Artist Coalition of Los Angeles (CACLA) supports artists by exposing them to the business of art, while at the same time helping them gain public recognition. CACLA helps under-served populations; especially artists of color follow their passion and turn their passion into prosperity.

Emerging Arts Leaders/LA (EAL/LA) is a network of emerging leaders in the field of arts administration whose purpose is to grow and support
the next generation of creative leaders in Los Angeles County.
Members conceive of programs designed to expand their network, share resources, and enhance their professional development.

The Harmony Project is a non-profit organization whose vision is to serve the cultural and artistic needs of underserved children in the Los Angeles area. Its mission is to promote the healthy growth and development of children through the study, practice and performance of music; to build healthier communities by investing in the positive development of children through music; to develop children as musical ambassadors of peace, hope and understanding amongst people of diverse cultures, backgrounds and beliefs. Currently over 500 students receive free music instruction in Hollywood and South LA.

LA Stage Alliance, a 501c3 organization founded in 1975, is dedicated to building awareness, appreciation, and support for the performing arts in Greater Los Angeles. Serving over 325 members annually, LA Stage Alliance accomplishes its mission through community building, collaborative marketing, advocacy, audience development, professional development, and strengthening operations for its members.

Arts for LA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts advocacy organization committed to fostering a healthy environment in which the arts and culture may thrive and be accessible to all in LA County. Arts for LA’s primary goals are to advocate for increased support for artist and arts organizations, develop infrastructures that allow for greater exchange of information and sharing of resources between arts and cultural organizations and increase the pubic value of the arts through the media and informed discussion.

For more about Arts for LA, contact Executive Director, Danielle Brazell at (213) 225-7580, dbrazell@artsforla.org or visit www.artsforla.org.