NEW PROJECT TO AID MULTICULTURAL ARTS

The County Board of Supervisors has announced a new nonprofit pilot program to advance artistic development of multicultural (ethnic minority) artists and arts organizations.

The Arts Assistance Program for Multi-Cultural Artists and Organizations is designed to give Los Angeles County multicultural artists and organizations in all disciplines an opportunity to work with noted professional artists in their respective fields.

The professional artists, or “artist consultants,” are to provide multicultural artists with instruction, critiques and assessments as part of the program, which will also offer single-discipline discussions led by nationally recognized artists and intended to initiate ongoing dialogues.

Program spokeswoman Lee Werbel said consultants who have expressed interest in participating in the program are choreographer Bella Lewitzky, dancer Rudy Perez, actor Edward James Olmos, director Clyde Ventura, film maker Jose Luis Ruiz and video artist Bruce Yonemoto.

Though the program’s funds will go directly to the consultants, they must be requested by the multicultural artists and arts groups, who may attend one of two meetings to learn about the program. The 7 p.m. meetings will be held Jan. 5 at the Japan America Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro St., and Jan. 6 at the Museum of African American Art, 3005 Crenshaw Blvd.

The new program is being funded with a total of $40,000 by the California Arts Council (which has its own separate multicultural program, funded this fiscal year with $500,000), California Community Foundation and the Los Angeles County Music and Performing Arts Commission. It will be administered by the National/State/County Partnership in cooperation with California Community Foundation. Program applications and guidelines are available through the National/State/County Partnership: (213) 974-1317.