The Getty has awarded a $420,000 grant to the L.A. Conservancy, aimed at developing a cultural asset mapping project to help preserve Altadena’s rich cultural, historic, and architectural heritage. This initiative comes in the wake of the destructive Eaton fire that impacted the community in January.
Community involvement will play a pivotal role in this project, as the conservancy seeks to document buildings and significant sites while also recognizing the community’s intangible heritage, including traditions, oral histories, and cultural practices. Longstanding businesses that have shaped Altadena’s diverse neighborhoods are also likely to be cataloged as part of this effort, ensuring their historical significance is not overlooked.
The output from this cultural mapping project will be instrumental in collaborating with the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning. This partnership is expected to influence policy discussions and decisions, incorporating Altadena’s cultural heritage into recovery plans following the devastating fire.
Reconstruction efforts in Altadena, an unincorporated part of Los Angeles County, have encountered challenges due to the absence of a definitive cultural mapping record, including sites of historic relevance. In contrast, Pacific Palisades, which also suffered from fires, had established a thorough record of its cultural heritage through SurveyLA, a historic resources survey conducted by the city.
Joan Weinstein, director of the Getty Foundation, expressed that addressing the gaps in Altadena’s cultural resources is vital for the community, particularly as residents consider rebuilding. “L.A. Conservancy is an excellent partner to lead an alliance of community-based organizations and preservation professionals who are working to ensure that Altadena’s vibrant cultural history is not lost in redevelopment efforts,” she stated in a news release.
The grant is expected to empower the L.A. Conservancy, with a focus on historic preservation. The funding will facilitate the creation of a comprehensive inventory of Altadena’s heritage sites, which will be accessible through an online map.
In related news, Artistic collaborations are being fostered through initiatives such as Artists at Work. This program provides artists with job opportunities, benefits, and a stable salary for 18-month terms. Among the new participants for the 2025-26 term is Altadena’s own Alma Cielo, a ceramicist who plans to partner with the L.A. Conservancy during her term. Cielo tragically lost her home in the Eaton fire and aims to concentrate on recovery efforts related to the aftermath of the disaster.
As an arts and culture writer, I, Jessica Gelt, am inspired by the resilience demonstrated by Altadena residents who continue to recover and support one another as they rebuild their community.
In this week’s cultural news, several events and exhibitions capture attention. One notable event includes the installation at the J. Paul Getty Museum, “Artemisia’s Strong Women: Rescuing a Masterpiece.” Including the showcase of a recently recovered painting by the prominent 17th-century Italian artist Artemisia Gentileschi, this exhibition presents the story behind the work, “Hercules and Omphale,” which was discovered among the debris following the tragic explosion in Beirut five years ago. Following an extensive restoration process, this piece is now part of a collection featuring four additional paintings by Gentileschi. As a significant figure in feminist art, Gentileschi’s work has gained newfound recognition and is seen as a vital aspect of modern feminist discourse.
The exhibition will be available for viewing at the Getty Museum through September 14. Visitors can immerse themselves in Gentileschi’s art and the broader societal themes she engaged with throughout her career.
In the realm of music, Mumford & Sons, the popular British folk-rock band, return to Los Angeles for a performance at the Hollywood Bowl. With their debut nearly 17 years ago at the Hotel Cafe, the group has made significant strides, garnering a best album Grammy for their 2012 work, “Babel.” This week, they bring their latest album, “RUSHMERE,” to the iconic venue, supported by the indie rock duo Good Neighbours. With the absence of member Winston Marshall, who departed the band in 2021 after a wave of controversy, the remaining members are poised to deliver a memorable show.
In theater news, the 2025 Tony Awards gala was held at Radio City Music Hall, celebrating Broadway excellence. The best musical award went to the surprise hit “Maybe Happy Ending,” which led the evening with six wins, while the musical “Buena Vista Social Club” garnered four awards. Times theater critic Charles McNulty previously articulated his support for Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ play “Purpose” as deserving of the best play Tony, contending that it offered a higher level of complexity compared to Cole Escola’s “Oh, Mary!” Although Escola’s piece received acclaim, including the Tony for best lead actor in a play, McNulty argued that honoring significant playwriting was essential for the support of future productions.
Amidst challenges facing the arts sector, reports indicate a downturn for the Kennedy Center following President Donald Trump’s administration. Recent revelations show that subscriptions fell significantly, totaling a decline of $1.6 million from the previous year. The steepest loss was recorded in theater subscriptions, which plummeted by 82%. This alarming trend reflects broader concerns about the financial stability of cultural institutions in these challenging times.
In literary news, journalist Stephanie Elizondo Griest is set to release her new book, “Art Above Everything,” through Beacon Press later this month. The book chronicles the lives and sacrifices made by more than 100 female artists worldwide, raising pressing questions about the value of pursuing art in the face of numerous challenges.
Returning to the SoCal arts scene, L.A. Opera has recently closed its season with a captivating production of Verdi’s “Rigoletto.” Mark Swed, the Times classical music critic, highlighted the political undertones and visceral energy of this iteration of the opera. Departing music director James Conlon’s direction has helped elevate the performance compared to past versions that often fell flat. Swed remarked that this production has finally moved the ‘Rigoletto’ needle in the right direction, marking a significant achievement for the company.
Finally, readers are encouraged to catch Mikael Wood’s recent interview with Cynthia Erivo concerning her new album, “I Will Forgive You,” and her endeavors during her break from “Wicked.” Erivo’s reflections on her journey as a queer artist reveal her resilience amidst both support and backlash. Notably, the backlash she faced earlier this year in response to her casting as Jesus in the upcoming Hollywood Bowl production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” shows the complex terrain public figures navigate when expressing their identities.
As Altadena continues to recover and the arts community adapts to evolving challenges, it remains clear that art and culture are central to the spirit and resilience of these communities.
image source from：https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/newsletter/2025-06-09/essential-arts-getty-grant-l-a-conservancy-altadena-heritage-mapping-eaton-fire-tony-awards
