Abstract
The Watts Towers, a US National Historic Landmark in Los Angeles, are a work of art created by Italian immigrant Sabato (also known as Simon) Rodia (1879–1965) between 1921 and 1954. Since 2011 the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) has worked to formulate a preservation and maintenance protocol for the Towers and has provided daily preservation maintenance. The Towers hold important value for Watts, a neighborhood that faces significant economic and social challenges. Responding to the project’s context, LACMA pursued a local hiring policy and implemented a training program for local high school students. Challenges encountered in the development of an outreach program and ideas for future preservation-related outreach and local investment are discussed in this paper.
Highlights
The adjacent City-staffed and -funded Watts Towers Art Center (WTAC) has provided art and music education for local residents and served as an art exhibition venue since 1964 and is an important local stakeholder
The Watts Towers Since 2011, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) has worked on contract to the Cultural Affairs Department of the City of Los Angeles on the update of a comprehensive conservation plan for the restoration of the Watts Towers, a National Historic Landmark
Neighborhood Context The Watts Towers are embraced by the South Los Angeles community for their artistic significance and as symbols of resilience
Summary
The adjacent City-staffed and -funded Watts Towers Art Center (WTAC) has provided art and music education for local residents and served as an art exhibition venue since 1964 and is an important local stakeholder. Neither tourism at the Towers nor public community development funding in their proximity has spurred significant local business investment.
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