If young people are to contribute to LA County's creative economy, they must have access to information and learning opportunities that prepare them for success in creative careers.
Background
Los Angeles is often seen as synonymous with Hollywood. In fact, the creative industries, made up in large part by Hollywood, generate 21% of the jobs in LA County, according to the 2022 Otis College Report on the Creative Economy. More importantly, the creative industries include more than film and television, offering a number of career options across multiple industries. In order to develop the wide range of skills that lead to these jobs and careers, youth in LA County need access to information, learning, opportunities, and support systems that shatter current barriers to entry.
Mission
Identify, align and leverage resources for providing youth, ages 14-24 years old, with concrete entry points into the creative workforce.
Resources
This career navigation tool allows young people to discover, prepare for, and pursue careers in the arts and creative industries.
This report summarizes what we know about career opportunities in the creative industries and existing pathways to those occupations for youth who experience barriers to employment.
Here you'll find a list of creative occupations across a variety of industries.
Opportunities for work in Los Angeles County's creative occupations are not limited to people who have earned a bachelor's degree. Nor are they only open to those with traditional arts training.
LA County Policies Driving This Work
Creative Career Pathways for Youth was launched with funding from the Cultural Equity and Inclusion Initiative (CEII).
The new Regional Plan for Arts Education extends our work beyond public education and into communities, prioritizing resources for youth who historically have been denied access to the arts.
This policy provides direction for ensuring that LA County every resident has access to arts and culture.
This plan outlines how the arts can support young people impacted by the justice and child welfare systems.
Ways to Engage
Do you represent a community-based organization, nonprofit, educational institution, or an employer that offers career exploration programs, apprenticeships, fellowships, or internships for creative careers? Become a Creative Career Pathways Community Partner and post your program's information to Creative Careers Online (CCO) to reach a wider audience and enhance your impact.
Share information about your interest or work in building creative career pathways for youth. This data will be compiled, added to a growing list of stakeholders, advocates, programs and services within LA County, and shared broadly to align efforts across the region.