Building on the success and excitement surrounding LA’s first-ever Arts Datathon in 2017, the LA County Arts Commission (LACAC) presents Arts Datathon: Collections, which aims to explore collections data as a way to increase access to the arts. This event brings together artists, curators, civic hackers, educators and arts administrators from across the region to explore collections data on topics from military memorabilia to street art. The event will take place at the iconic Bob Hope Patriotic Hall located in downtown Los Angeles.

The Arts Datathon was born from a desire help people who care about the arts get smarter about using data, while simultaneously educating data enthusiasts about the kinds of arts data available to address issues affecting all Angelenos.

“LA County is full of organizations and individuals who are working to make this region even better for arts and culture than it already is,” said LACAC Director of Research & Evaluation Bronwyn Mauldin. “An event like this is a chance to harness the power of data as we support each other’s work. And working across sectors is how innovation is born.”

Last year’s Datathon focused on the theme of arts access. This year, access is still a topic of discussion. But that focus has also narrowed to the way that arts institutions think and talk about the artwork in their collections. Through working on projects related to collections in civic art, street art, veterans’ memorabilia, music and community assets, participants will explore how those collections can be made more open and available to everyone.

Arts Datathon: Collections is presented by the LA County Arts Commission in partnership with Angels Gate Cultural Center, City of LA Department of Cultural Affairs, County of LA Public Library, LA County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and USC Libraries, with support from Arts for LA, Sotheby’s Institute of Art at Claremont Graduate University, Ford Theatres, East of Borneo, LACMA and Hack for LA.

Applications for the program are now open. Any current undergraduate students, as well as any students graduating between May 1 – September 1 are eligible to apply. All applicants must have completed at least one semester of college by June 2018 and/or be currently enrolled in a community college or four-year university. Applicants must also be residents of or attending schools that are located in Los Angeles County, and they cannot be previous participants of the Program. Eligible students of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

“Data is a powerful tool in the work we are doing to improve access to the arts for all,” said LA County Arts Commission Executive Director Kristin Sakoda. “And events like the Arts Datathon are opportunities to build channels of communication across sectors while we simultaneously explore new ways of seeing and interacting with the arts in Los Angeles.”

Arts Datathon: Collections is part of Arts Month LA, a month-long series of events and opportunities for dialogue between the arts community and local representatives. It will take place on Friday, April 27 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall in downtown LA. Registration is still open. Visit artsdatathon.org for more details.

The Los Angeles County Arts Commission fosters excellence, diversity, vitality, understanding and accessibility of the arts in Los Angeles County. The Commission provides leadership in cultural services for the County, encompassing 88 municipalities, including funding and job opportunities, professional development and general resources. For more information, visit lacountyarts.org.