The planning and development for an Art’s District in Boyle Heights is underway. Artist are uniting and getting the ball rolling on making sure this opportunity doesn’t get shelved and tossed to the side. The projects origins can be traced back to local council member Jose Huizar approaching a teacher at UCLA.  From there, 12 urban planning students surveyed Boyle Heights and presented their findings to Huizar a while back. Alfredo Huante and Carolina Martinez are two of the students and were at tonight’s meeting explaining what the current situation is and who their meeting with Huizar went. The students finished their commitment and got their credit. They explained that they no longer have a stake in the survey and said that projects like this usually go ignored because there is no one to pick up where they left off. That’s where A.R.T.E.S. comes in. With so much ground work already started, the students are passing everything on to them as they are getting organized and creating an infrastructure to make sure that the district meets the needs of the community and artist.
Here are some of the key points discussed and prioritized during the forum and will be developed further:
- having stores that cater to the communities needs and there by eliminating the need to shop in other areas.
- artist incentives for living in the immediate area (Rent control)
- services catering to artist and residents needs
- programs to help kids in the neighborhood get involved with the arts
- more murals and setting up programs to help youth learn about the importance of murals as well as educating them
- securing funds from the city and grants to help fund future projects.
- securing abandoned and unused buildings and converting them into community art spaces
- defining the boundaries of the Eastside and establishing cultural integrity/identity as a way to bring in tourist
- preserving the neighborhoods culture and heritage
- knowing how the system works to take advantage of it and maximize it to its full potential
- getting more artist involved and like minded people involved in the planning who can contribute
A.R.T.E.S. main priority right now is so get everything ready ASAP for a second meeting with Huizar. If anyone is interested in helping stay tuned as I will post contact information and the day and time of the next meeting as soon as I get the heads up. Other wise contact me through the blogs email or leave a comment saying what skills you have and what you can contribute and I’ll plug you in to the right people. Change is coming one way or another and if residents are on the front lines saying what we want then there’s no limit as to the possibilities in revitalizing our community.
Sorry I couldn’t make it, Thursday nights are tough for me, that is my part time gig night.
I do have a few comments and questions about the key points.
ERH wrote:
>having stores that cater to the communities needs and there by eliminating the need to shop in other areas.
– From living in Boyle Hts. for 13 yrs I don’t know anyone who shops outside of BH. Everything is there that we need. Sure we could use better produce, I heard there is Farmer’s market starting this summer, but overall we are doing just fine. I go to Trader Joe’s because its on the way home from work and because they have servings and portions for a bachelor. The majority in BH are families, Trader Joe’s wouldn’t serve their needs.
>artist incentives for living in the immediate area (Rent control)
-Why do we have to make it easier for artists to move in? What makes their presence so needed? so valuable and desirable? Maybe because those promoting this are artists? Why not make the parks better, the streets safer from speeding cars, a tree planting project (we are near the fwys, trees help filtre the air) or other incentives that would serve the existing community? Are you trying to change the existing community to look more how you think it would be best?
>services catering to artist and residents needs
– Like what? an art supply store? this needs more detail, and we all know the devil hides in the details
>programs to help kids in the neighborhood get involved with the arts
– now this is great. yes we need this. do we need to have the artists live on cheaper rent than the kid’s families to make this happen NO!!!!
> more murals and setting up programs to help youth learn about the importance of murals as well as educating them
– YES this way they won’t tag on the murals, great.
> securing funds from the city and grants to help fund future projects.
– again details. future projects that serve who?
> securing abandoned and unused buildings and converting them into community art spaces
– good, couldn’t we also use technology centers? not just art spaces? there is this thing called a digital divide and Raza is way on the other end of it.
> defining the boundaries of the Eastside and establishing cultural integrity/identity as a way to bring in tourist
– I’m worried about this one. Never seen a tourist trap that wasn’t crap to live in. Tourist come and they have THEIR NEEDS, and corporate America is ready to provide them and landlords are ready to provide corporate renters spaces over independent bizness. Edumacate me on this one. Why do we need people coming in taking pics of us hanging our clothes or our all night parties? (ooops there might be some law against that in the future, so the toursits can sleep) Or our makeshift food courts in the streets?
> preserving the neighborhoods culture and heritage
– good. which culture? last year’s? the multi ethnic distant past? the 99% Mexican present? the art culture? the cholos? the working class? the old school chicano? the immigrante? which culture?
> knowing how the system works to take advantage of it and maximize it to its full potential
– this just sounds too capitalist for me. ‘take advantage’ ‘maximize’ never met people who used these terms to serve anyone other than themselves first.
> getting more artist involved and like minded people involved in the planning who can contribute
– Yes I will try to be at the next meeting.
This all scare me on some level. I am a jaded mofo too. So try understand where I’m coming from.
Imagine someone coming to your house and saying you need to make room for these people because they will benefit you in the long run. They will bring stuff you need and didn’t even know you needed. They will change your house around so that you all can fit.
Can’t we just be?
Boyle Heights has a long and colorful artist tradition and I hope that the proposed “Arts District†will reflect the neighborhoods’ rich art culture.
After seeing the success of CASA 0101 and the sprouting of First Street Studios Gallery, I thought, “what if we expand and leverage these two arts focused organizations and attract others to add to Boyle Heights’ art scene?” I approached Professor Leo Estrada and he provided UCLA’s Urban Planning Comprehensive Project Class to examine the possibilities. The result was a comprehensive and community-based report that lays the foundation for the possibility an arts focused corridor along 1st Street between Breed Street and Boyle.
I’d like to thank Leo Estrada and his students for doing great work and for their dedication. Let me tell you, I am very excited about the possibilities and truly believe that we can make this happen. It will take a lot of hard work and commitment from both my office and the community. I believe the artist community shares my enthusiasm and I’m ready to work with them and local residents to make this happen.
Let me provide you some updates on what my staff and I are currently working on. This week we met with the Latino Museum on their efforts to relocate in the Arts District. We think their presence will invigorate the corridor and provide a tool for Arts education. We will soon meet with local residents and artists as the class of students hands off the baton to further this project.
With the Metro Gold Line opening in June and the opportunities for easy access to public transportation and visibility for the arts corridor, the timing is right.
It will take lots of work and some time to evolve, but let’s not miss this opportunity to launch what will be another great reason to say, “I know Boyle Heights!”
If you have any questions, please call Edel Vizcarra from my staff at 213-473-7014.
In the words of EL Chavo, “Eso, eso, eso.”
Wow this is exciting news for Boyle Heights and East LA and the greater LA region. I;ve lived in East LA for 25 years and i’m glad this is happening now to improve the quality of life for myself, my sons and grandkids.Lets not forget the ELA music scene in this plan. EastsideLuv has been a good start. Lets do more to provide performance venues for our talented ELA musicians. orale
Please send me an email when you have the details of your next meeting. Being that I am a fourth generation “East Los Angeleno,” I am very intrigued by the idea.
Per your request, you can check out my skills at http://www.18thstreet.org/staffboard.html
scroll down to Ronald Lopez
Thanks and keep it up,
Ronald Lopez
Artist, Curator, Program Director
I was also fortunate to attend this meeting last Thursday. Bridging the existing arts organizations in Boyle Heights and East LA is vital and is a healthy start with all the change that is happening in the area. During the meeting, several people discussed the little involvement or connection the residents have to the services that Self Help and Casa0101 provide. As a resident, I know this is true. Most of my neighbors don’t know (or didn’t know until I told them) about the local theatre on 1st and Cummings, that there is a literary arts salon, that Liliflor Studios offers craft-making workshops. Most of my neighbors are also families, whose children go to Roosevelt HS and Sheridan Elementary.
How do we educate and encourage parents about the power and beauty of incorporating arts activities (visual, music, theatre) in their children’s upbringing? There is so much activity going on, including sports, in the community that children and teenagers can take advantage of but it begins with a strong push from parents.
Before an “arts corridor” is even established, there needs to be a more comprehensive analysis on what and how to educate and serve the residents. Communication should be happening among local educators at Roosevelt HS, Hollenbeck MS, the elementary schools, parents, and the arts organizations. What is “community” without such communication?
Quesion:
– Is there a separate board/committee that represent Casa0101, Self Help Graphics, District 14, local arts businesses (First Street Studios, Teocintli, Eastside Luv…) to discuss their services to the community?
– Would property value in Boyle Heights and East LA go up upon the establishment of a commercial art supply store (like Blick), an official arts district, a Trader Joe’s, making it difficult for current residents to afford the affordable rent now?
My heart jumped when I read this. As a local artist raised in Boyle Heights I’m down to support in any way I can. Please keep me posted and lets gain momentum on this project.
DOPE!!!!
We have a website now. smile