Thanks to our supporters, McGroarty Arts Center and the nonprofit community in Los Angeles had a major victory on June 1st when the Los Angeles City Council voted to move a proposed change to the Nonprofit Lease Subsidy into the Arts, Parks, Health and Aging Committee.   The proposal, if passed, would have put onerous costs on McGroarty and other nonprofits operating in city-owned buildings - costs so high that they posed a real threat to the continued existence of McGroarty.

Executive Director Claire Knowlton worked closely with Arts for LA, an advocacy group, and reached out to nonprofits beyond the arts community to mobilize against the proposal.  When the proposal came before the council, over 3,000 advocates had written on behalf of LA nonprofits.  McGroarty staff and board joined representatives from dozens of local nonprofits in council chambers, including advocates from LA Conservation Corps, Central City Action Committee, ONE Generation, West LA Family Resource Center, Barnsdall Art Park, Hollyhock House, Hollywood Arts Council, SPARC, El Centro del Pueblo and the Odyssey Theatre.

There was considerable discussion on the issue, with some Councilmembers lobbying to pass the motion as written.  Councilwoman Hahn noted, "I can't vote for this yet. I don't have enough information before me." Ultimately, the majority of Councilmembers agreed and voted to move the proposal back into committee as our supporters had asked. 

More info:

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-cityarts-20100428,0,1267169.story

http://artsforla.org/news/nonprofit_lease_subsidy_issue_moved_committee_june_1st

To view all City Council files & information or receive up-to-the-minute updates on this issue, visit cityclerk.lacity.org and search for Council File 08-2762.