STARS (Super Talented Artists Resource Studio) Fosters Artistic Entrepreneurship in L.A.

Conduct research

Engage residents and stakeholders

Implement a pilot or new project

Advocate with policymakers and leaders

Implement and track policy

Employment in the creative industries

Arts establishments per capita

Jobs per capita

Minority- and women-owned firms

Number of high growth startups

Measures of cultural and global economic influence (“soft power”) (Dream Metric)

Recruiting and retention rates for local higher education institutions (Dream Metric)

Percentage of graduates from local higher education institutions that remain in LA County 5 years after graduating (Dream Metric)

Our organization will make LA a better place utilizing STARS to foster artistic entrepreneurship along with cultural and economic diversity. Currently, Los Angeles is the mecca for creativity within the entertainment industry. However, it is difficult for aspiring and mid-level professionals to effectively pursue their entertainment careers when they lack key resources. According to UCLA’s 2014 Hollywood Diversity report, women, minorities and low-income creative professionals are underrepresented in the entertainment field. Our STARS’ facility will help our LA entertainment capital diversify its working population to be more reflective of the mirage of artists pursuing their careers.

STARS will provide the creative community with access to state-of-the art shared equipment, education and training, and accountability partnerships. As a result of STARS, more diverse artists will be better equipped for industry jobs and to produce their own projects, which will ultimately stabilize their finances as an artisticpreneur.

STARS will not only be a destination for creatives, but the heart of where careers are developed and artistic dreams come true for all. Currently, our organization hosts over 25 educational networking events at various locations throughout the year with a total attendance of 2,000 entertainment professionals. This grant will allow our organization to use one venue for our events and programming. Los Angeles will become a better place to create because artists will not only have an avenue to learn about the creative arts, but also an artistic location to create their projects and showcase their talent within our center’s facility.

Every professional coming through the door of the resource center will have an opportunity to become involved with our various Sections. STARS’ Sections are divided into each profession, such as the Acting Section, Writing Section, Directing Section, Producing Section, Music Composing Section, etc. Section Members can work individually within their Section, or collaborate with other Sections. Each Section has a Chair that is responsible to make sure that each Section showcases at least one project, or a joint project with another Section.

We will evaluate our work through surveys and keep track of the number of people as well as the demographics of the people utilizing STARS. Each person taking advantage of the studio will be required to complete an initial survey and an ‘exit’ survey upon completion of a personal career project or Section team project.

We will monitor the number of projects being created within our center on a regular basis. Through our quarterly evaluation methods, we will be able to make any necessary adjustments to maximize the center’s operational goals.

Money (financial capital)

Volunteers/staff (human capital)

Publicity/awareness (social capital)

Infrastructure (building/space/vehicles, etc.)

Education/training

Technical infrastructure (computers, etc.)

Community outreach

Network/relationship support