The Los Angeles Post

Assemblymember Mike Fong Announces $1 million for East Los Angeles College Vincent Price Art Museum

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MONTEREY PARK, CA – Assemblymember Mike Fong and the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) announced the allocation of $1 million to the East Los Angeles College (ELAC) Vincent Price Art Museum (VPAM) today at 8:00 a.m. CA Assemblymember Fong (D- 49) was joined by LACCD Board Vice President David Vela, President Alberto J. Roman, D.P.A., East Los Angeles College, and Steven Wong, Vincent Price Museum Director.

“I am proud to secure $1 million in state funding for the Vincent Price Art Museum (VPAM) to increase access to its world-class collection through digitization and to expand the Museum Studies Certificate Program to all nine LACCD colleges,” said Assemblymember Mike Fong. “Thank you to my colleagues in the state legislature, as well as my former colleagues at LACCD and VPAM for investing in the arts and promoting arts education.”

 

The funds were included in the FY 2022-23 State Budget and will enable the Museum to digitize its 9,000-piece collection, making it accessible and available to the community, K-12 schools, and community college students District and statewide.

 

“The $1 million state grant will enable the Vincent Price Museum to produce a complete inventory and digitization of the Museum’s 9,000-piece collection and make it available online,” said LACCD Board Vice President David Vela. “The collection’s online access will make the Collection available to the general population, K-12 schools, and other post-secondary institutions, allowing it to be enjoyed by everyone.”

 

The funding will also improve and expand the Museum Studies Certificate Program to all LACCD colleges. This unique program provides a career pipeline to students of diverse socio-economic and academic backgrounds. Through the opportunity to engage in rigorous academic study, professional training, and professional development, students cultivate a solid foundation for obtaining entry-level job opportunities within the museum field.

 

“On behalf of our LACCD Board of Trustees, students, staff, and faculty, a heartfelt appreciation to Assemblymember Mike Fong for always being our steadfast advocate,” said LACCD Chancellor Francisco C. Rodriguez, Ph.D. “Currently, the District has almost 8,000 students majoring in the visual arts. This grant will make the Vincent Price Museum Collection more accessible to these students and the public, further enriching our entire community’s educational experience.”

 

“This funding will be vital for the Vincent Price Art Museum. It will allow the Museum Studies Certificate program to expand to all nine colleges in LACCD and will also help to ensure that all have access to their amazing collection once digitized,” said ELAC President Alberto Roman.