FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 7, 2023

Contact: Liz Odendahl, Supervisor's Communications Director
O: (213) 974-4444, C: (213) 379-6301, lodendahl@bos.lacounty.gov

Hahn Accepts $8 million for SELA Cultural Center

State funds were secured by Speaker Emeritus Anthony Rendon and Senator Lena Gonzalez

South Gate, CA -- This morning, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn accepted a total of $8 million in state funds secured by Speaker Emeritus Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) and State Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) for the future Southeast LA (SELA) Cultural Center. One check for $5 million will go to the LA County Arts and Culture Department's work on the project, while the other check for $3 million will support the work of an advisory panel that will guide the Center's creation. Hahn, Rendon, and Gonzalez were joined by local artists and by LA County Director of Arts and Culture Kristin Sakoda.

"LA County is the creative capital of the world. No one should have to cross the county to be part of it. I'm thankful to Speaker Emeritus Rendon and Senator Gonzalez for their leadership, and I'm ready to carry the torch and see this project through," said Hahn. "The SELA Cultural Center is going to be the creative home that artists, creators, and residents of Southeast LA deserve."

Rendering of the future SELA Cultural Center along the Los Angeles River in South Gate

The Frank Gehry-designed center will be the first institution of its kind in Southeast Los Angeles. In March, Hahn and Rendon welcomed Gehry and Governor Gavin Newsom to the site along the Los Angeles River, which currently hosts a Los Angeles County Public Works yard. 

“It was the residents and artists of Southeast Los Angeles that asked for a state-of-the-arts cultural center be built in our community and today we are seen very positive progress happening with this check presentation of $8 million dollars. We are moving forward with the development of the SELA Cultural Center and are excited to have the support and leadership of Supervisor Hahn!” said Speaker Emeritus Anthony Rendon. 

Plans for the 500,000 square-foot facility include a multipurpose theater, outdoor amphitheater, galleries, educational workshops, culinary arts facilities, and more.

Full-size images below

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Rendering

Site plan

Views from the street

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