(image courtesy of The Ford)

Spoken Literature Art Movement co-founders Matthew “Cuban” Hernandez and Alyesha Wise will curate “Poetry, Now” on Oct. 6. (image courtesy of The Ford)

In-depth conversations and live performances examining the future of arts in Los Angeles are what’s in store this year as part of The Ford’s online virtual season.

A new digital series as hosted on YouTube, “State of LA!” gives audiences a chance to listen in on some of the county’s most forward-looking creative collectives, culture makers, entrepreneurs and thought leaders who are shaping the future of the arts in Los Angeles.

The second conversation in the five-part series is Oct. 6 at 6:30 p.m. In “Poetry, Now,” which is curated by Spoken Literature Art Movement co-founders Matthew “Cuban” Hernandez and Alyesha Wise, audiences will get a snapshot of poetry in Los Angeles today through a panel discussion and dynamic performances. Participating artists include slam champion and “Write Bloody” author Buddy Wakefield, Da Poetry Lounge curator Jasmine Williams and youth justice advocate Justus Jones.

In previous seasons, the Ford would play to a packed house. (image courtesy of The Ford)

On Oct. 20 at 6:30 p.m., influential DJ and culture worker Sasha Ali (a.k.a. Miss Modular) will curate “Midnight in the Diaspora.” This evening’s conversation will explore how L.A.-based artists either born outside the United States or working between more than one country are bringing a combination of global influences to bear on L.A.’s music and nightlife. This combination panel discussion and DJ set features Discostan’s Arisha Fatima Haq, NTS DJ and Junkyard Jouvert producer Adam Cooper (a.k.a. foreigner) and creative producer Anita Herrera.

On Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m., join Tuesday Night Project for a day of Asian-American creative expression and discussion about their multigenerational, intersectional approach to art and community at “This is Not Just The Asian Night.” The festival includes a look back at the history of TNP’s flagship program, “Tuesday Night Cafe.” For more than 20 years, “Tuesday Night Cafe” has provided a space for artists of Asian and Pacific Islander descent to express themselves through hip-hop dance, improv comedy, spoken word, music, the visual arts and more.

To conclude the series, on Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m., Young Queer LA will highlight queer folks of color who are coming together to reimagine the club scene through drag.

Led by Alison M. De La Cruz, a multi-disciplinary theatre artist, arts educator, and community organizer, panelists will reflect on how race, culture and place inform their artistic expression, while also discussing the intimate relationship between collectivity and freedom in queer communities.

For information, visit theford.com.