Mission
We engage communities in artistic and cultural expression that tells their unique stories and serves as the basis for dialogue, interaction and a shared understanding of Los Angeles. Through community-based art programs, centered on youth leadership development, we help diverse, generally low-income neighborhoods create dynamic works of public art that build community connection and promote healing.
Our Story
LA Commons was born in 2000, when Karen Mack had an idea to use art and cultural programming as a vehicle for building a stronger sense of belonging in Los Angeles. “LA Commons” would refer to the places where people connected around shared, participatory arts experiences. Karen got inspiration from cultural events like Mardi Gras which inspired people to create together for months, building deep bonds of connection in the process and from a notable book by Robert Putnam; “Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community”.
Karen and Beth Peterson developed LA Commons’ first project, “Taking Flight: Migration Dreams,” a series of installations in the trees of MacArthur Park dedicated to the experiences of local immigrants, meanwhile creating a model process that we still use today.
Since then, LA Commons has worked in partnership with neighborhoods across Los Angeles engaging diverse youth, residents and artists who through their creative talents drive our Neighborhood Story Connection projects with the goal of amplifying local narratives and exerting community power.
As we look to the next 25 years, we know that achieving equity, well-being and climate resilience for the people we serve requires that we activate the creativity embedded in our communities and neighborhoods.
With a passion for using their work as tools for change, the artists we develop and collaborate with are essential leaders of innovative problem-solving efforts. In the coming years, we are excited to grow opportunities for these creators to fulfill their roles as catalysts for community agency and impact. We intend to ensure that they are able to build sustainable lives as part of LA’s robust creative economy.
Our stories will empower all of us to face our challenging present and lean into our exciting future of a Los Angeles that works for everyone.
Values
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EMPOWERMENT
Our work helps foster more empowered community members who make their neighborhoods more just, healthy and livable.
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EQUITY
Recognizing that systemic racism is at the root of many challenges faced by our neighborhoods, we center equity as a foundational principle.
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TRUST
Through collaborations with local partners, with whom we have built deep wells of trust, we leverage artistic and cultural approaches to create positive change.
Karen Mack
Executive Director
Twenty-five years ago, Karen Mack created LA Commons based on a vision of communities where everyone has the access and freedom to express themselves and the ability to tap into the power that creativity provides. Since that time, she and her team have worked in neighborhoods across the city, implementing artistic programs that foster interaction, dialogue and collaboration for a better Los Angeles. LA Commons plays a unique role as a facilitator of local engagement in arts and culture as well as in other important issues – health, transportation and education to name a few, giving residents and particularly young people, a voice and an onramp to making positive change. Prior to LA Commons, she served as a Public Service Fellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University where she researched the role of culture in community building. She holds an MPA from Harvard University and an MBA from the John Anderson School of Management at UCLA and is currently a mayoral appointee to the City of Los Angeles Planning Commission and serves on the board of California Humanities.
Meet the Team
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Beth Peterson
Community Arts Program Director
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Leslie Tamaribuchi
Strategy and Operations Director
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Valery Mendoza-Martinez
Community Arts Program Associate Director
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James Keum
Finance Manager
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Susie Garcia
Senior Operations Manager
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Anahit Poturyan
Grants and Contracts Manager
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Elizabeth Cho
Program Manager, Partnerships
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Tamika Quillard
Community Arts Program Manager
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Kaitwan Jackson
Program Manager, Partnerships
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Sara Strange
Development Manager
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Tatum Hawkins
Communications and Marketing Manager
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Guillermo Alvarez
Cultural Organizer
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Oscar Alberto Dominguez
Cultural Organizer
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Rosio Romero
Cultural Organizer
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Momodu Mansaray
Cultural Organizer
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Alex Ylagan
Communications Coordinator
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Jore Aaron
Executive Assistant and Special Projects Coordinator
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Indeya Eubank
Programs Coordinator, Partnerships
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Tyger Lynch
Partnerships Coordinator
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Tevon Mitchell
Marketing & Development Intern
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Maricarmen Solis
Operations & Special Project Associate
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Briana Rivera
Communications Associate
Our Board
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Todd Becraft
Attorney at Law Office of Todd Becraft-LA
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Tammy Brown
Director of Marketing and Communications at the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
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Glenn R. Gatien
Operational, Administrative and Financial Executive
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Susan Gray
Consultant
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Teresa Lara
Associate Director of Campus Health Initiatives at USC
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Ibert Schultz
Executive Director of Black College Success
Our Collaborators
Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center
California African American Museum
CARECEN
CD Tech
Community Coalition
Esperanza Community Housing
Expo Center
The Ford
Fowler Museum
John C. Fremont High School
Getty
Grand Performances
Homies Unidos
Hyde Park Organizational Partners for Empowerment
KAOS Network
Korean Youth and Community Center
LA Neighborhood Land Trust
LAUSD
Levitt LA
MacArthur Park Elementary School
MacArthur Park Recreation Center
The Music Center
Natural History Museum
SCOPE
SLATE-Z
UCLA Labor Center
UMMA Clinic
USC
Willowbrook Inclusion Network
The World Stage
ROSE (Reclaiming Our Sisters Everywhere South LA)
Press
Visit our LA Commons Press page by clicking the link below
25th Anniversary Presentation
Annual Report
View the most recent LA Commons Annual Report by clicking the link below
Support
LA Commons is a nonprofit organization that relies on the generosity of government, foundation and corporate funders, as well as individual donors. LA Commons is a member of and supported by the Los Angeles Visual Arts (LAVA) Coalition.
As an organization at the intersection of arts, youth development and community empowerment, our commitment is to engage communities in artistic and cultural expression. As we continue to create spaces for stories, dialogue and a shared understanding of Los Angeles, we need the support of our community to sustain this work.
Regardless of the amount gifted, your donation is received with gratitude and will sustain us to continue to foster resilience and solidarity in our communities.
Donations can be made anytime here or by clicking the button below. All support is 100% TAX-DEDUCTIBLE THROUGH OUR FISCAL SPONSOR, Community Partners.
Partners & Funders
