Please join us for the Launch of the 2020 Otis Report on the Creative Economy
February 12, 2020 at the Mark Taper Auditorium at the Richard J. Riordan Central Library Los Angeles
9:00 a.m. Check-In & Continental Breakfast
10:00 a.m. Program Start
11:30 a.m. Networking Reception
This year marks the 13th annual Otis Report on the Creative Economy, an invaluable advocacy tool commissioned by Otis College of Art and Design and authored by Beacon Economics. The program will include a presentation of 2020 Report findings by Beacon’s Director of Research Adam J. Fowler. The keynote speaker is Amir Whitaker, staff attorney for the ACLU of Southern California, who will share insights on the state of equity in arts education. A panel discussion with students and a question and answer session will follow the formal remarks. The report will be available for download online on February 12, 2020 at 10am. Follow updates on social media using #OtisReport.
Parking:
524 South Flower Street Garage
More information on parking and public transport options here: https://www.lapl.org/branches/central-library/parking
About the speakers:
Adam J. Fowler
Director of Research, Beacon Economics
Adam J. Fowler is Director of Research at Beacon Economics, LLC. In addition to overseeing the firm’s research staff, Mr. Fowler leads the firm’s Housing, Land Use, and Real Estate Advisory, and works heavily in its Sustainable Growth and Development practice. His projects focus on the creative industry, environmental economics and domestic energy, housing and population trends, public opinion and attitudes, public policy analysis, and regional economics. Recently, he co-authored a high profile analysis of the film and digital media industry in Los Angeles for the Los Angeles County Economic Development Division, which revealed the specific effects of technological disruption in the industry and highlighted the competitive value of diversity. Other recent high profile projects include an analysis and critique of California’s regional housing goals for the public policy group Next 10, and the Otis Report on the Creative Economy 2019 for the Otis College of Art and Design.
Mr. Fowler holds an M.A. degree in Political Science from the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and pursued a Ph.D. in Political Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Amir Whitaker
Staff Attorney, ACLU of Southern California
Amir is a staff attorney with the ACLU of Southern California. Prior to joining the ACLU, Amir represented students and incarcerated youth throughout Florida and Alabama for the Southern Poverty Law Center. Referred to as a "civil rights and education stalwart" by the Daytona Times, Amir has negotiated settlements and policy changes improving the lives of hundreds of thousands of children. He has worked as a researcher with the UCLA Civil Rights Project, and has written for TIME Magazine and other publications. At the ACLU, Amir is responsible for legislation focused on education equity and funding.
Amir has taught across multiple educational settings for more than a decade, and has held teaching credentials in Florida, California, and New Jersey. He received his doctorate in Educational Psychology from the University of Southern California, juris doctorate from the University of Miami, and his bachelors from Rutgers University. Often referred to as "Dr. KnuckleHead," Amir was arrested at age 15 and eventually expelled from school. In 2014, Amir started Project KnuckleHead to inspire vulnerable youth and help them reach their potential through education, music, and art programs. Amir is also the board chair of the Arts for Incarcerated Youth Network, a collaborative of a dozen organizations providing art programming to youth throughout L.A. County.
Media partners include AIGA LA; Arts for LA; Arts Orange County; California Arts Council; Californians for the Arts; Create CA; California Alliance for Arts Education
Funding for the 2020 Otis Report on the Creative Economy has been provided by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs; Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Second District; Stuart Foundation; Endeavor Foundation; City National Bank; Gallagher; and Moss Adams.