This study found that bout half of all arts nonprofits in LA County had paid staff in 2011. They paid a total of $266.6 million in salaries to the equivalent of 4,650 full-time employees. The average salary for a full-time employee was $57,345 in 2011 , up from $51,046 in 2007. Annual per capita income in LA County, by comparison, is $27,900.
The mission of the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture is to advance arts, culture, and creativity throughout LA County. We fulfill our mission by providing services and support in areas including grants and technical assistance for nonprofit organizations; professional development opportunities; commissioning civic artworks and managing the County’s civic art collection; implementing countywide arts education initiatives; research and evaluation; career pathways in the creative economy; free community programs; and cross sector creative strategies that address civic issues. This work is framed by the County’s Cultural Equity and Inclusion Initiative and a longstanding commitment to fostering access to the arts.