Dear Mayor Garcetti,

I am delighted to learn that the City Budget FY19-20 now being considered for approval includes a long-overdue request submitted by the Department of Cultural Affairs to enlarge and upgrade vital staff positions at the Watts Towers Arts Center Campus.

I fully and enthusiastically support those budget items that will provide the additional full time staff positions of Administrative Clerk and Arts Center Director I for the Charles Mingus Junior Arts Center, Gallery Attendant serving both the Watts Towers Arts Center and the Mingus Junior Arts Center, and Arts Manager I for Campus Tours and Restoration Programs, as well as the equally necessary upgrades of existing Arts Instructor I to Arts Instructor II and current Campus Director from Arts Center Director II to Arts Center Director III.

The approval of these budget items will go a long way to alleviate the decade-long shortage of Campus personnel due to the recession. The Watts community and all of us in the greater Los Angeles community, and lovers of the arts from all over the world have admired and benefited from the unflagging vision and efforts of Ms. Hooks and her staff over this entire time to maintain this world-renowned cultural and educational site.  With the added staff approved in the budget for the coming fiscal year, I have no doubt that we will see the Campus administration surpass its already remarkable achievements in the next cycle programming and exhibitions and music festivals in September.

I look forward to the passage of next year’s budget with these personnel enhancements for the Watts Towers Arts Center Campus and all other items that further Campus activities, including the Homeless Training Project and all supportive services, as requested.

Most sincerely,