LOS ANGELES (October 10, 2024)—Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis announced a $2 million contribution to LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes to expand and renovate its permanent exhibition, L.A. Starts Here.

Since its opening in 2011, L.A. Starts Here has provided an alternative to traditional interpretations of Los Angeles history, challenging visitors’ perceptions of the role of Mexicans and Mexican Americans in the city’s development, beginning with the 18th-century pre-settlement Indigenous culture and continuing through the 1960s Chicano Civil Rights Movement.  

In the next three years, LA Plaza will reimagine and renovate L.A. Starts Here! to include the past five decades of cultural progress and recognition for Latinos in Los Angeles, bringing this vital exhibition into dialogue with the current and future landscape of the County of Los Angeles.  

"I'm thrilled to announce a $2 million grant for the renovation of LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes’ permanent exhibition L.A. Starts Here. This vital institution plays a crucial role in celebrating and preserving the rich tapestry of Latino culture and history in Los Angeles,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, First District. 

“It serves as a beacon of representation, ensuring that our community's stories are not only told but cherished. By investing in this space, I hope to honor the past and empower future generations to connect with their heritage and take pride in their identity.”  

LA Plaza Board Chair Jamie Casso says, “We are deeply grateful to Supervisor Solis for this significant contribution and her unwavering commitment to the Latino community.” Casso continues, “People with deep roots and connections to the region founded this organization. As LA Plaza evolves, we will build upon the foundation and legacy of the past while creating a community hub reflective and representative of the diverse voices and perspectives of Latino L.A.” 

The renovation will incorporate Central, South American, and Indigenous stories, enhance access to research and information, increase community engagement, and introduce advanced interactive audiovisual technology to create a more accessible and welcoming experience for visitors.  

 “The expansion of LA Starts Here! is not just a physical change, but a significant step towards our vision to bring a broader sense of belonging for Latinx people in Los Angeles built on a recognition of our shared history and impact on the region,” states Leticia Rhi Buckley, CEO of LA Plaza. 

LA Plaza’s curatorial team will lead the $5 million project and include a comprehensive stakeholder engagement process.  

“LA Plaza is uniquely positioned to challenge the norms and standards of Eurocentric Museum collecting practices,” shares Karen Crews Hendon, LA Plaza’s Director of Exhibitions and Senior Curator. “The expansion will facilitate the acquisition of objects and archives that amplify unheard voices and family histories whose names and stories are not typically known, registered, exhibited, or archived.”