The Los Angeles region will see an uptick in employment for artists and designers, according to a 2009 report from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC). Data show that the “creative economy” is one of the largest business sectors in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, generating nearly 1 million in direct and indirect jobs and almost $140 billion in sales/receipts from the arts, design and entertainment industries combined.
Over $5.1 billion in state and local tax revenues are generated by art and design-oriented businesses found in the following industries: entertainment, toy, digital media, fashion, architecture, interior design, industrial design, and communication arts, as well as fine and performing arts.
These findings were shared last week as part of a presentation of the 2009 Otis Report on the Creative Economy of the Los Angeles Region, hosted by Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, which annually commissions the report to put real numbers to the business of creativity and to spotlight an under-recognized driver of the regional economy.
“Our current economic challenges mandate long-term solutions. It is time for us to join forces in a creative offensive for economic recovery and a better future,” said Samuel Hoi, president of Otis College. “At Otis, we look forward to partnering with leaders from across sectors to take practical steps in unleashing the creative potential of the Los Angeles region.”
The 2009 Otis Creative Economy report was presented by Dr. Nancy D. Sidhu, VP/chief economist of The Kyser Center for Economic Research at the LAEDC. “Excluding the manufacturing segments, employment in the service-oriented creative industries of Los Angeles grew by 21,500 jobs, or 9.9 percent, between 2003 and 2008, and by an estimated two percent in Orange County,” stated Sidhu. “And Los Angeles County is projected to grow by 4,000 more jobs, or 1.6 percent, by 2013.”
The digital media sector is expected to grow the fastest between 2008 and 2013, with employment of digital artists rising by more than 10 percent in both Los Angeles County and Orange County.
Projected declines in fashion, furniture and toy employment by 2013 are due largely to expected losses in the manufacturing sector; however, employment growth is still expected here in the “other specialized design services” category, which includes fashion designers.
Little if any employment growth is projected for the communication arts and entertainment sectors overall. However, job counts will increase in certain segments of both sectors, including graphic design and post-production services.
At the end of the presentation, which included a panel discussion, Bryan Stockton, president of Mattel International, presented a $1.85 million gift from Mattel, Inc. to Otis College of Art and Design to support student scholarships, art and design curriculum and facility enhancement. “To be competitive in the world and in this age of ideas and innovation, we must embrace creativity in our schools as well as our workplaces,” said Hoi in accepting the check.
This year’s event was sponsored by the California Community Foundation, the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles, and toy maker Mattel. “To us, the data in the 2009 Otis Report are more than the facts of creativity’s economic impact,” stated Hoi. “They also tell the story of possibilities made real by a combination of education and talent.”
Fernanda Torres’ Oscar Nomination Has Made Her Brazil’s Carnival Muse
Brazil's Carnival muse this year isn't one of the divas or drum queens parading with the Rio de Janeiro samba schools. It's Fernanda Torres, who's competing for the best actress Oscar on Sunday.
The Oscars fall smack in the middle of Carnival, Brazil's largest celebration, which runs through Tuesday. During the five-day revelry, the rest of the universe usually fades into the background as Brazilians cut loose and indulge.
Not this year, and the keen focus on the Oscars speaks to Brazil's pride for its culture and desire to be recognized on the global stage.
"Just imagine, her winning the Oscar on Carnival Sunday. It'll be a double celebration," Clarissa Salles, 33, told The Associated Press while buying a replica Oscar statuette in Sao Paulo for her costume.
Torres is nominated for her performance as the lead in the Walter Salles-directed "I'm Still Here," which is also nominated for best picture and best international feature. Excitement around the awards has prompted TV Globo, Brazil's largest network, to resume live coverage of the ceremony after a five-year hiatus. It will forgo the nationwide airing of high-ratings Carnival parades, instead broadcasting the Oscars everywhere except Rio.
Bars and nightclubs across Brazil are organizing Oscar watch parties and results will even be shown on a big screen to the tens of thousands of spectators gathered at Rio's Sambadrome for the parades.
"Today, all of Brazil only thinks about this," President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on his social media channels. "Everybody is cheering for 'I'm Still Here' and Fernanda Torres at the Oscars."
As far away as the Amazon, an Indigenous community in the Inhaa-be village promoted a screening of the film on Friday. With singing... Read More