A Gift to Sunland-Tujunga
The McGroarty Arts Center in Tujunga operates out of the 90 year old home of former California Poet Laureate, U.S. Congressman, and author of "The Mission Play", John Stevens McGroarty (1862-1944).
McGroarty Arts Center is a beloved and treasured institution that serves as the art/cultural hub for Sunland-Tujunga and the surrounding Foothill communities. It's also a building in desperate need of major repairs and upgrades.
On Monday, Councilman Krekorian paid a visit to McGroarty and met with Claire Knowlton, the director of the center. Watch the video to see the Councilman completely catch Ms Knowlton off guard with his surprise announcement;
LOS ANGELES – Councilmember Paul Krekorian on Tuesday introduced a motion that allows the city to invest $250,000 of non-General Fund money in McGroarty Arts Center, the largest such investment ever made by the city to the Tujunga-based cultural landmark. Housed in a 90-year-old building, McGroarty serves 7,000 people each year. But its aging infrastructure has led to power outages and a host of problems that have disrupted activities and annually cost the city thousands of dollars to fix.
McGroarty Arts Center is a beloved and treasured institution that serves as the art/cultural hub for Sunland-Tujunga and the surrounding Foothill communities. It's also a building in desperate need of major repairs and upgrades.
On Monday, Councilman Krekorian paid a visit to McGroarty and met with Claire Knowlton, the director of the center. Watch the video to see the Councilman completely catch Ms Knowlton off guard with his surprise announcement;
LOS ANGELES – Councilmember Paul Krekorian on Tuesday introduced a motion that allows the city to invest $250,000 of non-General Fund money in McGroarty Arts Center, the largest such investment ever made by the city to the Tujunga-based cultural landmark. Housed in a 90-year-old building, McGroarty serves 7,000 people each year. But its aging infrastructure has led to power outages and a host of problems that have disrupted activities and annually cost the city thousands of dollars to fix.
“Los Angeles is one of the world’s great artistic destinations, yet we have let one of our city’s most treasured art centers fall into disrepair,” Councilmember Paul Krekorian said. “Now, with this infusion of $250,000 – money that does not come from the General Fund –McGroarty Arts Center will be able to fix its electrical problems, keep the heat on this winter and ensure a safe environment for its guests. Instead of tapping its own depleted budget to fix a broken fire alarm, they can teach another child to paint. Valuable resources that had been used to fix failing plumbing will ensure a potter’s wheel will continue to turn. This action sends a powerful message that as we contemplate a leaner Los Angeles, we will preserve our city’s natural place as a visionary, artistic leader.”
Claire Knowlton, executive director of McGroarty Arts Center, praised Tuesday’s action.
“We are so incredibly grateful for this support, not only for the essential investment in our City’s arts infrastructure, but for the attention this will bring to the Center. McGroarty Arts Center is a cultural oasis that belongs to every Angeleno and I’m so thankful that these new funds will allow it to flourish for years to come.”
The motion was introduced Tuesday and is scheduled for a vote in front of the City Council next week.
Posted by Unknown @ 5/11/2011 01:31:00 PM
9 Comments:
It's always so touching when politicians give away other people's hard-earned money. It just makes me misty.
I wish we could have seen the smile that must have lit up the face of Tony Cardenas's brother-in-law, when he got the good news that taxpayers would hand him $35,000 -- or did it wind up being $50,000? -- to take low-rider cars to Mexico.
If only there were some way we could pay higher taxes, so more people could enjoy the fruits of our labor. . . .
What a pearl of wisdom from Walter Moore! Reminds me of when he ran for Mayor and promised to take back this city by using your tax dollars to remove every non English sign in the city. Now that's Walter's version of supporting the arts!
8:03am, your generic dislike of Walter does not make his point invalid.
Walter's point is totally valid. Grow up and take things on a case by case basis, rather than your own personal pecadillos.
Leave it to the Latino and cultural arts hater, Wally Moore, to cry about the city actually using funds to repair a cultural landmark.
Really trying to micro-niche your audience to just about nothing. How about changing the name of this blog to the "Joe B. Is Being Used As A Tool To Post Stories of Micro-Interest To Drive This Blog Into Obscuresville." (Check the clickety-clicks. A fraction of the past.)
Councilmember Huizar offered the owner of the Southwest Museum access to $25 million of low interest loans from the Economic Stimulus, if the owner would agree to renovate the 1914 Southwest Museum building and restore it to public service.
The building's owner, the Autry Museum's Board of Directors, turned down the $25 million in financial assistance. Instead, Autry applied to the State for $6.5 million to renovate the basement of the Autry Museum in Griffith Park so it could move the Southwest Museum's exhibitions inside its own museum building.
Sometimes, the incompetent management of the Autry boggles the mind.
well,now we know what's going on in sunland-tujunga how about anywhere else
Thank you Paul Krekorian for making this wonderful gift come to Sunland-Tujunga. I remember the days in our early neighborhood council meetings (before certification) when we passed the hat to keep McGroarty from closing completely. Every month it was a struggle as there just wasn't any money to pay for electricity and water. It has come a long way due to the dedication of the McGroarty staff and hundreds of volunteers and supporters. We are all proud of our historic resources here in Sunland-Tujunga and across the City of Los Angeles. They must be preserved for peace to learn, enjoy and progress.
Mulholland Terrace was complaining about McGroarty getting funding but not Barnsdall. Obviously the plight of either is a lesson in politics.
Both are great facilities, as is the Lankershim Arts Center in NoHo. I have a fundamental issue, particularly in this economic climate, with taxpayer money going to funding these types of facilities.
I would prefer to see them completely run by non-profits, free from government interference, and funded by contributions.
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