Mayor Eric Garcetti marked the two-year anniversary of the Evolve Entertainment Fund Wednesday, a public-private partnership that he said has connected more than 400 young Angelenos from underrepresented communities to internships and career opportunities in the entertainment industry.
“The studios and soundstages and backlots of Hollywood should be open to any Angeleno, no matter where they’re from or who they are,” Garcetti said. “The entertainment industry brings great ideas to life, and Evolve is ensuring that more people have a shot to add their voices and creativity to the work of inspiring audiences everywhere in the world.”
Launched in 2018 by the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, Evolve has worked with more than 100 entertainment companies, as well as 23 community “pipeline organizations” and educational institutions, to open professional pathways into film, television, music and digital media for participants, according to the mayor’s office.
So far, Evolve participants have secured 379 paid internships and 37 full-time jobs and participated in 16 educational experiences with Netflix, Warner Bros., Endeavor and Walt Disney Television, among other companies.
By the end of 2020, Evolve aims to place Angelenos into 500 paid internships, secure full-time offers for all graduated students and offer educational workshops and experiences to participants, the mayor’s office said.
To reach those goals, Evolve has developed a website, EvolveEntertainmentFund.org, and will partner with industry leaders on a new set of programs and outreach efforts, according to the mayor’s office.