Los Angeles, CA –In a motion authored by Los Angeles County Chair Pro Tem and Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, the Board of Supervisors has proclaimed March 2025 as Arts Education Month to recognize the critical role that arts education plays in the development of young people and its broader benefits to the community. As part of this proclamation, Chair Pro Tem Solis also announced the launch of a new arts internship program for high school students, developed in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies. 

The new Los Angeles County Bloomberg Arts Internship Program will provide rising high school seniors across the county with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the arts and creative industries. Through paid internships, mentorship, and career exploration, students will engage with professionals in arts and cultural organizations, developing essential skills for future careers in the arts. The program will prioritize equitable access and aims to create transformative opportunities for youth from diverse backgrounds, helping them explore and develop careers in the creative sector. 

“Arts education provides a powerful opportunity for young people to express themselves, explore their potential, and gain valuable skills that will shape their futures,” said Chair Pro Tem Solis. “This initiative, along with our celebration of Arts Education Month, highlights the importance of nurturing creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration – skills that will serve our youth for years to come.” 

The month-long observance of Arts Education Month will highlight the importance of arts education, which encompasses disciplines such as visual arts, music, theater, dance, and digital arts. Arts education plays an essential role in nurturing creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and social-emotional development in students. Research has shown that students engaged in arts education exhibit higher academic performance, improved graduation rates, and better emotional and social outcomes. 

Furthermore, arts education contributes to the cultural and economic vitality of Los Angeles County, driving both local creative industries and cultural exchange. The new internship program, building on the success of the Los Angeles County Arts Internship Program for college students, will further expand opportunities for youth, fostering the next generation of artists and creative professionals. 

“This partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies ensures that we are creating transformative opportunities for young people across Los Angeles,” added Chair Pro Tem Solis. “We are excited to offer high school students the chance to gain meaningful experience in the arts while preparing them for a diverse range of careers in the creative sector.” 

The Los Angeles County Bloomberg Arts Internship Program aligns with the goals of the Los Angeles County Cultural Policy, which emphasizes fostering an inclusive and equitable arts ecosystem, strengthening the creative economy, and ensuring that all communities have access to cultural resources that reflect their unique identities. 

The new internship program will be fully funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies and will be designed to complement the ongoing efforts of local arts organizations, schools, and businesses in expanding career pathways for youth in the creative industries. The Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture will lead the implementation of this program.

Read the motion in full here.