In the Arts: L.A. Begins Staff Trims at Culture Agency

The Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs will lay off seven staff members April 1, including the heads of two city-run arts organizations, says the Los Angeles Times.

More job cuts are likely by the June 30 end of the fiscal year as the agency bears its share in the elimination of the city’s $600-million budget deficit. Los Angeles officials aim to further reduce staff size by handing over operation of nine government-financed arts centers to private nonprofit groups, but the facilities could be closed or sold outright if there are no takers.

In other arts news, the Seattle classical music station KING-FM announced Tuesday that it will switch next year from commercial operation to a listener-supported financial model, reports The New York Times.

The move continues a yearslong trend among classical stations, whose generally older listeners are less appealing to advertisers but more apt to become dedicated donors, said Marc Hand, a consultant with Public Radio Capital.

(Free registration is required to view these articles.)