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Council, Arts Council mark April as Arts, Culture and Creativity Month; Arts Council highlights economic role
Summary
Long Beach recognized April as Arts, Culture and Creativity Month; the Arts Council for Long Beach presented economic figures and emphasized workforce pipelines from local colleges and the expected Long Beach Amphitheatre's economic impacts.
The Long Beach City Council received a presentation and proclamation recognizing April as Arts, Culture and Creativity Month and heard from the Arts Council for Long Beach about the creative economy's contributions and local assets.
Councilmember (sponsor) and context: Councilmember (name as introduced in the agenda) introduced the resolution noting the city joins municipalities and state efforts to celebrate how arts and culture contribute economically and socially. The resolution recognizes local creative-sector activity and the Arts Council for Long Beach’s advocacy work as the city prepares for large regional events including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Arts Council presentation: Griselda (executive director of the Arts Council for Long Beach) told the council the creative economy is an economic driver. She cited a regional figure: in 2022 Otis College estimates the creative economy in the county had substantial economic output and she said local institutions—most notably California State University, Long Beach—help fuel the creative workforce. Griselda said CSULB ranks second in the nation and first in California for awarding fine arts degrees (behind the School of the Art Institute of Chicago), and she noted Long Beach City College pathways that connect students to paid internships and degree programs. She also described the forthcoming Long Beach Amphitheatre project as an economic engine that will create jobs in construction, production and operations and benefit small businesses.
Why it matters: Council and Arts Council speakers said investments in arts and culture generate revenue, support jobs and build local pipelines for creative careers. The Arts Council is planning state advocacy in Sacramento and requested alignment with statewide efforts to increase funding and resources for arts programs.
Next steps: The council accepted the presentation and issued the proclamation recognizing April as Arts, Culture and Creativity Month.
