LACHSA Celebrates 40 Years of Star-Making Arts Program
· news
The Value of a Star-Making Machine: Why Arts Programs Like LACHSA Matter
The Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) is marking 40 years of cultivating talent, with alumni like Josh Groban and Phoebe Bridgers achieving success in the entertainment industry. Its anniversary concert, LACHSAPalooza, will feature headliners Ozomatli and Fitz and the Tantrums. However, beneath the glamour lies a pressing concern: the precarious future of arts education in the United States.
Public education in California has been underfunded for decades, according to Trena Pitchford, executive director of the LACHSA Foundation. The school relies heavily on donations to supplement its state funding, but even with a high-profile list of alumni, fundraising efforts have been strained by recent disasters and donor fatigue. This is not an isolated problem – arts programs across the country are facing similar challenges as education priorities shift.
The impact of these cuts extends far beyond the loss of talent pipelines for the entertainment industry. Arts education provides a unique form of creative expression and socialization that has long-term benefits for students, including higher GPAs, increased college attendance rates, and greater community engagement.
What sets LACHSA apart from other performing arts programs is its emphasis on fostering a sense of community among students. Former student Anthony Anderson recalls the school as “a space where being an artist was taken seriously.” This focus on validation and support helps students develop their craft but also has broader implications for society, promoting social cohesion in an era of increasing polarization.
As Anderson notes, schools like LACHSA are essential not only to young artists but also to our society. By supporting these programs, we’re investing in the development of better, more empathetic citizens.
The irony is that arts education has become increasingly marginalized despite its proven benefits for students and society. With the rise of standardized testing and accountability measures, many schools have been forced to cut their arts programs or prioritize more “practical” subjects like math and science. This approach neglects the critical role arts education plays in fostering creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration.
LACHSA is currently seeking to secure its future with a $2.5 million fundraising campaign. Its track record speaks for itself: countless alumni have achieved success in their chosen fields, crediting LACHSA with giving them the tools and support they needed to succeed.
In a world where arts education is under threat, it’s essential that we recognize the value of programs like LACHSA. By supporting these initiatives, we’re not just investing in the next generation of artists – we’re investing in the very fabric of our society. As Anderson so eloquently puts it, “Schools like LACHSA are a huge setback for the arts” if they disappear.
Let’s come together to support programs like LACHSA and recognize their value to our communities and culture. The future of arts education depends on it.
Reader Views
- CMColumnist M. Reid · opinion columnist
While LACHSA's impressive track record of churning out successful artists is undeniably inspiring, it's worth considering the larger implications of prioritizing arts programs in public schools. Namely, how do we ensure that these programs are accessible to students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds? Research suggests that private donors often target high-profile institutions like LACHSA, neglecting struggling arts programs in underfunded districts. By focusing solely on showcasing success stories like Josh Groban and Phoebe Bridgers, we risk overlooking the systemic inequalities that plague arts education across America.
- CSCorrespondent S. Tan · field correspondent
While LACHSA's impressive alumni roster and anniversary celebrations rightly garner attention, the real challenge lies in sustaining these programs over the long haul. The article highlights the immediate funding struggles, but doesn't delve into the systemic issues driving underfunding: California's woefully inadequate arts education budget. Until this is addressed, institutions like LACHSA will continue to rely on donations and goodwill to fill the gaps – a precarious foundation for artistic excellence.
- RJReporter J. Avery · staff reporter
While LACHSA's 40th anniversary celebration is well-deserved recognition for its commitment to arts education, we should also acknowledge the structural issues that threaten the sustainability of programs like this. The reliance on private donations to supplement state funding is a Band-Aid solution that can't be relied upon indefinitely. As budgets continue to shrink and priorities shift, we need to have a more nuanced conversation about what constitutes "essential" education in California's public schools – and whether arts programs are merely elective indulgences or vital components of a well-rounded student experience.