The California Arts Council has awarded a $5,000 grant to LAUNCH Productions Inc., organizers of the annual Tarfest held on the grounds of the Page Museum and the La Brea Tar Pits.

The grant was made for organizational development and was one of 1,300 awards made to arts organizations throughout the state. LAUNCH Productions Inc, will use the funds to hire public relations firm Hijinx to create and implement a marketing strategy to raise awareness about its programming. The goal is to increase the effectiveness of LAUNCH’s outreach to artists, audiences and potential funders. The focus will be on providing a consistent and targeted message in support of the organization’s mission, which is to bring quality arts productions to the public and enhance artists’ creative expression.

LAUNCH Productions Inc. is part of LAUNCH LA, which operates a gallery at 170 S. La Brea Ave. Executive Director James Panozzo said in addition to Tarfest, which celebrates local art and music, the gallery hosts exhibits and is holding pop-up art shows. The LAUNCH LA Gallery currently has a collaborative exhibit by artists Phung Huynh and Chukes featuring paintings and sculptures.

“One of the goals is to raise awareness about what we do outside of Tarfest. It allows us to have a strategic plan to educate the public about what we do and how we do it,” Panozzo said. “It will enhance fundraising opportunities and programming.”

For information, visit launchla.org.