In the aftermath of the Altadena and Malibu fires, a coalition of Los Angeles artists, curators, and cultural organizers came together to strengthen the connective tissue of the city’s creative life. The initiative launched with a kickoff gathering at Soho House Downtown Los Angeles, convening a focused group of practitioners to share resources, align efforts, and begin the work of collective recovery.
Led by the impetus and service-design leadership of Halston Bruce, the gathering took the form of a service design charrette—a practical, participatory framework for listening, mapping needs, and co-creating responses. The aim was not only to process the immediate crisis, but to lay groundwork for a more resilient cultural ecosystem: one capable of mutual aid, rapid coordination, and sustained care in the face of future disruptions.
At its core, the effort foregrounded collective interdependence as a natural and necessary condition of Los Angeles’ creative community. Through conversation and shared inquiry, participants asked what it would take to maintain this energy beyond moments of emergency—and how roles, relationships, and generosity might be activated over time.
Guiding principles
• Know your role
• Find your people
• Give where you can

Participation was by RSVP, with a Zoom option provided to ensure broader access for those listening and contributing remotely.
I conducted an inductive performance to help center the group.