Nearly 60 years ago, Dorothy Buffum Chandler moved to make the region a center of cultural excellence and accessibility by spearheading the creation of the Music Center of Los Angeles County. The concert hall Pavilion named in her honor was the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic from 1964 until the opening of Disney Hall nearly forty years later. The curtains rose at the Mark Taper Forum and Ahmanson Theater in 1967. But it is with the Music Center’s newly raised, dramatically renovated Plaza, that Music Center President and CEO Rachel Moore says Dorothy Chandler’s dream of democratizing the arts can finally come true. “The Plaza is now a warm, inviting and active space where all people can play, learn, create, and participate with wonder, curiosity and imagination,” says Moore, “and most importantly, feel right at home.”

Arts Alive
From the Central Coast to San Diego, from Santa Monica to Palm Springs, there are fascinating people creating incredible art and performances. KUSC will be covering those experiences on Arts Alive. And when you’re in the mood for a little more, like a longer version of an interview, more Arts Alive coverage is available online at kusc.org/artsalive.