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When artists and artisans can’t make a living, we all pay the price. Scott Timberg’s original and important new book, Culture Crash: The Killing of the Creative Class, examines the roots of a creative crisis that has put booksellers, indie musicians, architects and graphic designers out of work and struggling to afford healthcare, stable housing and educational opportunities for their kids. This panel of creative thinkers and doers convenes to examine this urgent issue and explore what we can do to change course.

Please join us in the Library’s courtyard after the program for a public reception!

Scott Timberg

Scott Timberg

Scott Timberg is a Los Angeles-based culture writer, contributing writer for Salon, and one-time LA Times arts reporter who has contributed to The New York Times, GQ, and The Hollywood Reporter. His book Culture Crash: The Killing of the Creative Class will be published by Yale University Press in January. He also co-edited, with Dana Gioia, the anthology The Misread City: New Literary Los Angeles. Scott runs ArtsJournal’s CultureCrash blog.


John McCrea

John McCrea

John McCrea is a founding member of the band CAKE, which originated in Sacramento, California. McCrea is lead vocalist, primary writer and lyricist, in addition to playing rhythm acoustic guitar, piano and Vibraslap. He and the rest of the band have produced all of their albums. McCrea is a vocal activist for various causes, notably artists’ rights, environmental and clean water initiatives and world poverty. Additionally, John is a founding member of the Content Creator Coalition organization, an artist-run non-profit advocacy group representing all creators in the digital landscape.


Barbara Bestor

Barbara Bestor, AIA, is Principal of href=”http://bestorarchitecture.com/”Bestor Architecture and is the executive director of Woodbury University’s Julius Shulman Institute. Bestor Architecture was founded in 1995; work includes the new headquarters for Beats By Dre and Nasty Gal, an innovative small lot housing complex in Echo Park, and a variety of custom residences and commercial entities. Barbara Bestor is the author of Bohemian Modern, Living in Silver Lake and is a partner in Sisters of Los Angeles (SoLA), which creates design-based gifts and housewares for Los Angeles and California.


Sasha Anawalt

Sasha Anawalt

Sasha Anawalt is director of USC Annenberg Arts Journalism Programs, including the Masters degree in Specialized Journalism (The Arts) program. She also directs the USC Annenberg/Getty Arts Journalism Program and the NEA Arts Journalism Institute in Theater and Musical Theater. In October 2009, she co-directed and co-produced with Douglas McLennan the first-ever National Summit on Arts Journalism. Anawalt wrote the best-selling cultural biography, The Joffrey Ballet: Robert Joffrey and the Making of an American Dance Company. She was chief dance critic for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, LA Weekly and on KCRW, 89.9 FM. Her reviews and features have been published widely.


Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why do programs fill so quickly?

    ALOUD provides a unique experience for the public to engage with scholars, authors, and artists in the intimate 235-seat Mark Taper Auditorium. Library Foundation Members have the benefit of reserving for programs in advance of the public. Consider joining as a Member to receive this benefit, and check the website on an on-going basis for program availability. Be sure to subscribe to our email alerts, and visit our Media Archive for podcasts and other items from our recent programs.

  • Where does ALOUD take place?

    Unless otherwise noted, ALOUD programs are held at the downtown Central Library’s Mark Taper Auditorium.

  • Where should I park?

    We recommend taking public transportation. Parking for the Central Library is at the Westlawn Garage at 524 S. Flower Street. For more information, visit the Library’s website.

  • Should I purchase the author’s book in advance?

    We encourage you to purchase books from the Library Store. All proceeds benefit the Los Angeles Public Library. Books are made available for purchase when you reserve for a program online, and are also on sale at programs. In order to participate in the book signing, you must purchase at least one book from The Library Store. Members receive discounts on purchases.

  • Where can I find podcasts and videos of ALOUD programs?

    Podcasts and videos from our programs are available free online at our growing Media Archive. Visit the archive at lfla.org/media-archive to explore hundreds of podcasts and videos spanning 20+ years of ALOUD’s history bringing authors, artists, and t thinkers to the Los Angeles Public Library.