Today we’d like to introduce you to Center For Cultural Innovation.
Hi Center for Cultural, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI) was founded in 2001 as a California 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation. Its mission is to support individuals in the arts—artists, culture bearers, and creative entrepreneurs—to realize greater self-determination so as to unfetter their productivity, free expression, and social impact, which contributes to shaping our collective national identity in ways that reflect the diversity of society.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
CCI was founded to support individuals in the arts. At the time of its founding, very few organizations focused on channeling resources to artists of all disciplines and career stages. This has enabled CCI to stand out in California’s arts and culture ecosystem. Even better, many peer organizations have emerged over the years that, like CCI, have a focus on individuals in the arts. Having a more formidable infrastructure for artists and arts workers benefits everyone as it strengthens regional arts and culture ecosystems and the larger creative economy.
As you know, we’re big fans of Center for Cultural Innovation. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Headquartered in Los Angeles, CCI is a grantmaking intermediary that’s focused on artists and arts workers. We support individuals in the arts through funding opportunities, research and advocacy, and strategic investments. We’re distinct in the field for our focus on self-determination and our embrace of artists and arts workers of all disciplines and career stages. We are known for our innovative thinking and solutions, pattern recognition, and ability to bring together leaders from all industries.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
We can’t do our work alone and rely on a network of peer organizations, funders, grantees, and allies from fields beyond arts and culture. Most recently, we were especially proud to partner with the J. Paul Getty Trust, which established the LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund and led a coalition of funders to support the Fund. CCI administered this Fund and distributed over $14 million to 1,500+ artists and arts workers affected by the January fires. We also want to shout out The Armory and Side Street Projects for helping us get the word out about the Fund and hosting applicant workshops.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cciarts.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cci_arts/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cciarts
Image Credits
Photo 1: Staff Photo – Dec 2024. (Pictured from left to right_ Lorena Moreno, Laura Poppiti, Leeann Wallett, Christopher Audain, Jessica Mele, Lauren Bailey, Angie Kim, Brian Dang, Nadia Chrisanto, Cate Fox, Nyia Hawkins, Stephanie Barajas
Photo 2: Courtesy of CCI. CCI Staff Sharing a Meal at Hipcooks. (Pictured from Left to Right_ Brian Dang, Lorena Moreno, Lauren Bailey, Nyia Hawkins, Angie Kim, Jessica Mele, Jennelyn Bailon, Nadia Chrisanto, Stephanie Barajas, Laura Poppiti, Chris Audain.
Photo 3: LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund Technical Support and Community Gathering. (Pictured_ Lorena Moreno, Nadia Chrisanto, Lauren Bailey, Angie Kim, Stephanie Barajas, Katherine Bray-SImons, Brian Dang.) 13 March 2025. The Geffen Contemporary
Photo 4: Courtesy of Zócalo Public Square. What Alliances Do We Need in Perilous Times_ 2 (Pictured_ Angie Kim.) 13 March 2025. Zócalo Public Square, Los Angeles. Photo by Chad Brady.
