center for sustainable communities

LA2050 is an initiative for a shared vision of Los Angeles. Led by the Goldhirsh Foundation, LA2050 is dedicated to driving and tracking progress towards that vision. This year they have accepted qualified submissions to apply for a $100,000 grant in the categories of PLAY, CONNECT, LIVE, CREATE, and LEARN.

Here at Citizens Of Culture we are big supporters of LA2050 and with all the submissions we wanted to help our community sort through all of the wonderful selections. We’ve combed through each of the categories for projects that we think are most interesting to our editors and have picked a few selects to highlight in each category.

Everyone of the applicants aspires to do something amazing for the city, we simply wanted to lend our support to a few of the ones that resonated with us deeply.

Voting began on September 2nd and will continue until Tuesday September 12th, stay tuned as well post updates on all the categories.

 

Check out who we like, and why, and feel free to check out other applicants here and tell us who you will be voting for in the comments as well.

Category : CREATE

 

WHO WE LIKE: LA Mosaic Mecca

Artists and Arts Orgs provide skills training to recently homeless persons to provide labor for large-scale mosaic art installation

WHY WE LIKE THEM:
We have a problem in Los Angeles with homelessness. Not only the sheer numbers of people but we have a problem with they way they are often perceived. We believe this project brings the ability to instill pride in those experiencing homelessness and also humanizes them to those that may dismiss them as not a part of the community.

WHO WE LIKE: *FORT (Resident Makers Program)

FORT plans to expand its current operation and launch Resident Maker Programs (complete with DIY workshops, 3D Printing & Ted-like talks).

WHY WE LIKE THEM:
Using reclaimed materials to catalyze a market is one thing. Then add on top of that a residency program and incubator. That is unlike any fort we’ve ever built as children. This is an incredible project that allows for the education and exploration of the creative mind in a safe environment.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNqNTSXVqsI</span>

WHO WE LIKE: Center For Sustainable Communities In Compton,CA

Turning an abandoned, blighted grocery store in Compton into the Center for Sustainable Communities.

WHY WE LIKE THEM:

One of the great things about using an old grocery story as the site for a community center, is that the location is near certain to be perfect. The commercial grocery industry puts a lot of thought in to their site selection and because of this the community center will be centrally located to the population it serves. The mission to serve South LA is such a needed undertaking that it can’t be stated enough. This project is impactful, feasible, and important.

WHO WE LIKE: New Filmmakers LA

NFMLA accomplishes these goals with 3 programs: The NFMLA Monthly Screening Series, Stage 5 Interviews & On Location: The LA Video Project

WHY WE LIKE THEM:  As stated in this groups video. The narrative of Los Angeles, has never really been told properly. This is because there are so many perspectives that can describe Los Angeles, capturing only one of them in a film is a disservice. That is why we like the idea of bringing many filmmakers in to a project to show their own version of Los Angeles. We gain from these perspectives and unlock cultural experiences that are sitting right under our noses.

Since you can only vote once make sure you choose wisely. We wish best of luck to all the applicants and a bright future to the city of Los Angeles.

For more information on LA2050 visit their website or follow them on twitter. @LA2050

* members of Citizens Of Culture may know or have met members of applicant organization.