In 2012, as part of an intensive strategic planning process to deepen our commitment to the Los Angeles creative community, the Fund conducted a needs assessment in partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs of the City of Los Angeles. Affordable housing and workspace for artists emerged as urgent needs for performing arts professionals, who struggle with episodic employment, low income and insufficient access to vital healthcare services due to the inability to obtain affordable health insurance.
The Hollywood Arts Collective was conceived and designed to address these needs. The project, constructed in two buildings, combines affordable housing with a neighborhood community arts center and is the first of its kind in Southern California.
The Cicely Tyson Residential Building features 151 units of affordable housing, three resident gardens, a fitness room, with plans for a rehearsal studio for residents, as well as the new home for the Entertainment Community Fund Western Region Headquarters. The Rita Moreno Arts Building will be home to the 71-seat Glorya Kaufman Performing Arts Theater; LA Contemporary Exhibitions (LACE); Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) satellite campus for diverse young filmmakers; and the Entertainment Community Fund’s Rosenthal Family Foundation Training Center.
The need for affordable housing within the entertainment community existed long before the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was significantly exacerbated by the industry's shutdown and the loss of income this workforce faced for nearly two years. Yet, even in times of crisis, the arts played a crucial role in helping the world navigate the challenges of the pandemic, offering connection, solace, and inspiration. Despite their contributions, many artists found it increasingly difficult to remain housed and access space to create new works while pursuing employment and independent income opportunities. The Hollywood Arts Collective is addressing this urgent need by providing co-located affordable housing, creative space, and supportive services, ensuring stability for this vital workforce. By doing so, it not only supports the individuals who fuel LA County’s creative economy—one of the region’s largest economic drivers—but also reinforces the essential role of the arts in times of hardship. The initiative prioritizes community engagement and outreach with low-income and BIPOC artists, ensuring a more equitable and sustainable future for the entertainment industry.
