$12 Million Emergency Fund Established for Artists Impacted By Fires

The Los Angeles arts community is rallying to support artists affected by devastating wildfires with a $12 million emergency fund.

At a Glance

Major LA cultural institutions have established a $12 million emergency fund for fire-affected artists.
The fund aims to provide immediate financial assistance for housing, food, and clothing.
The Center for Cultural Innovation will administer grants starting Monday.
The initiative highlights the global cultural impact of the LA wildfires.

Los Angeles Arts Community Unites in Crisis

Los Angeles’ leading cultural institutions have joined forces to create a $12 million emergency fund for artists and arts workers impacted by the recent wildfires. This initiative, spearheaded by the J. Paul Getty Trust, brings together an impressive coalition of museums, foundations, and philanthropists to address the urgent needs of those whose lives and livelihoods have been upended by the disaster.

The LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund, set to begin distributing grants on Monday, will be administered by the Center for Cultural Innovation. This rapid response underscores the art world’s recognition of the fires’ far-reaching consequences, not just for individuals, but for the cultural fabric of Los Angeles and beyond.

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 Impact of Local Tragedy

The establishment of this fund acknowledges the international significance of Los Angeles’ art scene. Katherine E. Fleming, President and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust, emphasized this point, stating, “People around the world are watching in horror as vast areas of Los Angeles burn, but this regional tragedy has global cultural repercussions.”

“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 said.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth Alexander, president of the Mellon Foundation, noted, “Far beyond its borders, the city of Los Angeles shapes our collective consciousness as a locus of astonishing imaginative power and artistic ingenuity.” The fund’s creation reflects a collective understanding that preserving LA’s artistic community is crucial to maintaining its global cultural influence.

Immediate Relief and Long-Term Support

The emergency fund aims to provide immediate financial assistance for essential needs such as housing deposits, clothing, and food for fire victims. However, the initiative’s vision extends beyond short-term relief. Fleming emphasized the ongoing nature of the support, stating, “This is rolling, we’re still gathering funds. This isn’t one and done, and it’s really important that it not be one and done.”

This commitment to long-term support is crucial for the sustainability of LA’s artistic community. The fund plans to distribute resources in phases over months or potentially years, recognizing that recovery from such a devastating event is a prolonged process. This approach aims to ensure that artists and arts workers have the support they need to rebuild their lives and continue their creative work.

A United Front in the Face of Disaster

The creation of this fund represents a collaboration within the Los Angeles arts community. Los Angeles County Museum of Art Director Michael Govan highlighted the speed and scale of this response, noting, “I think it’s the first time, really, that the L.A. arts community has gotten together so quickly, across so many institutions. The fires are still burning. We’re not out of the woods, and yet the Los Angeles arts network is not only connected within itself, but connected globally.”

This united front includes contributions from major institutions such as LACMA, MOCA, and the Hammer Museum, as well as global entities like Qatar Museums. Individual philanthropists, including the family foundation of Mellody Hobson and George Lucas, have also stepped forward to support this crucial initiative. The broad base of support underscores the art world’s recognition of Los Angeles as a vital center of cultural production and the urgent need to preserve its artistic community in the face of this natural disaster.

As the fires continue to rage, this emergency fund stands as a beacon of hope and resilience for the Los Angeles arts community. It serves as a powerful reminder of the art world’s capacity for unity and action in times of crisis, ensuring that the creative spirit of Los Angeles will endure even in the face of unprecedented challenges.