MISSION
LA Artcore is a non-profit art space dedicated to the creative exploration, discovery, and expression of Los Angeles and global residents while supporting the careers of established and emerging contemporary artists.
Artcore reflects the global perspectives of Los Angeles by engaging contemporary artists as the visual and performing conduits of and for the residents and communities in which they live, work and serve. Since 1979, LA Artcore has mounted twenty-four exhibits in the two gallery spaces as well as supporting programs.
LA Artcore is committed to cultivating an environment that values the voices of artists, curators, staff, volunteers, visitors, and its surrounding community/ecology. The gallery embraces diversity of all identities including race, gender, sexuality, socio-economic background, and ability; also, proudly champions equity through inclusion and accessibility. Artcore’s endeavor toward programming a space that reflects its values remains continuous and expansive – shown by their efforts in shifting the curatorial and programmatic current through collaboration and radical learning.
This gallery space acknowledges that it operates on the native land of the Tongva tribe. The organization honors the prominent connections of Tongva peoples to this land and recognizes the horrific abolishment caused by local and national governments – including but not limited to colonization, forced removal, and erasure. LA Artcore additionally recognizes its operation within Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo Historic District, acknowledging the precarious history of the historic Little Tokyo community. This gallery aims to conserve its elaborate history through mutually shared community support. Artcore is devoted to respecting the Tongva and Little Tokyo peoples and their ongoing contributions to the cultural fabric of Los Angeles. This organization strives to listen, learn, and amplify local and Indigenous voices and narratives in our programming, exhibitions, and community outreach.
LA Artcore is committed to ensuring accessibility for all. The gallery provides wheelchair accessibility, designated parking spaces, and service animals are welcome to the space. The website aims to follow WCAG guidelines. Feedback is highly valued to improve LA Artcore and its dedication to providing an inclusive environment.
LA Artcore welcomes feedback to help meet our goals. To reach us please contact us at info@laartcore.org.
TEAM
Pranay Reddy - Exectutive Director
Dominique Go - Systems Administrator
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Joyce Kohl - President
Nicholette Kominos - Vice President
Margaret Lazzari - Secretary
Terrence Jackson - Treasurer
Alica Doddy
David Dedlow
Young Ku Park
DONORS
Kaman Foundation, Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts, California Arts Council, LA County Arts Commission, Los Angeles Visual Arts Coalition (LAVA), Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, Los Angeles County Creative Recovery LA Initiative
HISTORY
LA Artcore evolved out of the social and artistic interactions of students at Cal State LA’s fine arts department, under the tutelage of Founding Director Lydia Takeshita during the 1960s and 1970s. Regular gatherings were held at Central Park in Pasadena, to further engage in critiques and discussion outside of class. This became the "core" of LA Artcore and manifested into a student-run space at Cal State University. This activity coincided with Downtown L.A.’s fine arts renaissance of the late, 80’s and early 90s in what is now the Arts District, where LA Artcore relocated on San Mateo street and incorporated as a 501-c 3 nonprofit corporation in 1981. LA Artcore produced numerous exhibits along with its in-house publication, Visions Art Quarterly which covered local and regional artists and exhibits until 1991.
At the same time, LA Artcore established its International Exchange Program and enjoyed partnerships with artists, Kamol Tassananchalee, Yoshio Ikezaki, and Nobu Kano. This collaborative exchange that has been on covid-related pause, allows artists to travel and exhibit in a foreign hosting country. LA Artcore has conducted exchange programs with Thailand, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Italy, San Luis Obispo, and Albuquerque.
In addition to its Downtown space, LA Artcore opened its second space in 1998 at the Brewery Arts Colony, the country’s largest artist's live-work complex.
In 1993, with help from the City of L.A., the Little Tokyo Service Center administered the redevelopment of a church building at 120 Judge John Aiso St. into a multi-use arts complex where LA Artcore, East West Players, and Visual Communications currently reside.
With over 1600 exhibits in its exhibition history, LA Artcore maintains a schedule of at least twelve exhibits per year across its two spaces and conducts related artist receptions, group tours, and workshops.
With the passing of its Founder and Director, Lydia Takeshita at the age of 92 in 2019, Artcore's board of directors reconstituted the organization and tasked its leadership to current Executive Director, Pranay Reddy, who had grown within the organization since 2006. Reddy has since recalibrated the organization with a progressive arts vision that combines boundary-breaking artistic expression with community arts youth arts programming and adult arts education.
We are generously supported by the California Arts Council and the Kaman Foundation.