Outfest Head Pleads to Keep Arts Funding

As Los Angeles downsizes the budget for its Department of Cultural Affairs, several arts organizations are also facing budget cuts, including Outfest, the city's major annual LGBT film festival.

The staff of the department faces 24%-48% of jobs being eliminated as well as the slashing of $2.2 million in annually disbursed grants. According to a plea for support from Kristen Schaffer, executive director of Outfest, for every dollar spent by the department, $8 is generated directly in jobs for arts and businesses.

Schaffer is urging Angelenos to reach out to their city council member as well as council president Eric Garcetti. For those who don't live in the city, Schaffer suggests writing letters to Garcetti and council member Janice Hahn, who represents the district where the Angels Gate Cultural Center is located.