LOS ANGELES — At a launch event held at the Getty Center in Los Angeles, Otis College presented its latest findings as part of its long-running Report on the Creative Economy. The new dashboard provides interactive data tracking of revenue, regional trends, and the health of the state’s creative nonprofit ecosystem.
The platform, developed in collaboration with Westwood Economics and Planning Associates, highlights the key challenges facing arts organizations as they strive to sustain programming and partnerships while avoiding layoffs. According to the report, the number of creative nonprofits in Los Angeles County grew by 21 percent between 2018 and 2023, reaching more than 900 groups — about 30 percent of all such organizations in California.
However, during the same period, there was a decline in financial support. Half of the surveyed nonprofits reported a decrease in private donations, and 66 percent stated that government funding had declined over the past year.
The launch event featured remarks from Joan Weinstein, Director of the Getty Foundation, and artist Kohshin Finley, an alumnus of Otis. A panel discussion titled “Creative Capital: Fueling the Next Wave of L.A.’s Nonprofit Arts Growth” was moderated by NPR’s Mandalit del Barco and included Jason Foster of Destination Crenshaw, Gustavo Herrera of Arts for LA, Naima Keith of LACMA, and Thor Steingraber of The Soraya.
Otis officials stated that the new dashboard will enable policymakers, funders, journalists, and community leaders to understand better how creative nonprofits contribute to the state’s economy and cultural vitality.
Now in its 19th year, the Otis College Report on the Creative Economy is recognized as a key resource on California’s creative industries. The program examines trends shaping art, design, and cultural sectors, offering insights to inform future policy and support systems.
More information and access to the new dashboard are available at otis.edu/creative-economy.
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