User:Shaunam/The Hollywood Arts Council

The Hollywood Arts Council The Hollywood Arts Council is a not-for-profit corporation established in Hollywood, California in 1978. The mission of the Council is promote, nurture and support the arts in the community of Hollywood. The Council was started in the 1970's as a grassroots membership organization open to all who believe the arts should play a vital role in the lives of Hollywood's residents and visitors. The Council enjoys a unique position in the Hollywood community as a public advocacy group for the ongoing Hollywood renaissance, serving in an advisory capacity for everything from public art installations and murals to beautification and preservation efforts. Through the years, the Council has been a leader in coalition building and organizational support to advocate for preserving historic infrastructure in Hollywood. Advocacy issues have included a live/workspace ordinance for Hollywood, and support the development of such a building, advocacy to the California Arts Council, Cultural Affairs Dept., L. A. County Arts Commission, and has been instrumental in media advocacy resulting in more coverage for the arts, artists, and local productions in Hollywood. Through the support of membership contributions and private foundations, the Council is responsible for a number of public service programs and initiatives in the Hollywood area. A complete list of Hollywood Arts Council programs and supporters can be found at www.hollywoodartscouncil.org.

The Hollywood Arts Council recognizes outstanding achievement in Hollywood with the Charlie Awards. In 2011, the Charlie Awards celebrated its 25th anniversary at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood. Over the years, the Council has recognized the outstanding achievements of corporations, small businesses, individuals, and companies in Hollywood who have made significant contributions to the community. The Council is responsible for many public outreach programs, significantly Project S.O.A.R. (Students Overcoming All Risks)after-school arts workshops offered to at-risk public elementary school children in Hollywood. The Council hires local artists to provide hands-on training in a variety of creative disciplines: dance, theater and improv, ceramics, mixed media, cultural arts, photography, puppetry and others. The Council also sponsors the annual Children's Festival of the Arts, held every summer on the back lot of Paramount Studios.