Save The Smell!

Save The Smell!

We, the present and past generations of The Smell family, are taking action to ensure that future generations will continue to have a safe home in Los Angeles - a place where they can pour their guts out, dance like maniacs, rebel, volunteer, perform, and be moved by the performances of others.

For the past 18+ years, The Smell has been more than just a music venue.  Our mission is to create and maintain a DIY artistic youth center that bridges the divide between disconnected communities and cultures, reflecting the racial, ethnic and socio-economic diversity of this city, and to allow these communities to unite in one space, to make and support art or just hang out in a different social space.  It is volunteer-run, open to people of all ages, free of drugs and alcohol, with a low door cost (most shows are $5).  

Right now our building at 247 S. Main St, where The Smell has lived for almost 17 years, is scheduled to be DEMOLISHED.  We are working to prevent or delay this for as long as possible, but we must also be proactive, and start raising the necessary capital NOW to find a new, permanent home.

It is time to MOBILIZE!

Our goal is to raise the funding needed to purchase a small building in central Los Angeles so that we never have to face eviction again!

We realize that we are setting our sights high, but this fundraising goal has been carefully considered, and in researching costs for buildings centrally located and of comparable size, and also considering other associated costs of moving and getting a new space up to code and permitted, we feel that this fundraising goal is pretty close to what it will take to accomplish our objectives.

We don't necessarily expect to raise all of the money though this portal, alone.  We plan to come up with other fundraising initiatives over the next several months to supplement this campaign, and we are open to input from the broader Smell community for other creative means of reaching our goal.


HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1.  Dig deep and consider what the Smell means to you then donate what you can honestly afford. We need your help. No amount is too big or too small. ($1,000, $100, $10?) You can be anonymous or list your name.

2.  Sign the Petition/Write a testimonial about what The Smell means to you.  We ask that you take the time to sign a petition that we can present to the building owners and the city -- the more signatures the better.  We also need everyone to speak up as we are seeking a legal designation as a “cultural institution” which helps us prevent or delay demolition.

3. Share this with everyone. Our family is HUGE let’s get the word out.  #savethesmell on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram.

4. Volunteer!  If there is another way you think you can give back (through music, art, expertise, professional services, labor, etc.) please contact Greg Cole at [email redacted].  We will be planning other fundraising initiatives and events, and will need all of the help we can muster. 

Your contributions will go toward legal fees, moving, the purchase of a new home for The Smell, renovation, materials, permitting, and other associated costs.  Once a location is established - we will provide all of our supporters with a transparent budget showing how the money will be allocated.  The names of donors and volunteers will be listed in a permanent THANK YOU installation on the grounds of the new Smell.

WE CAN DO THIS!!

The Smell is and will always be your home.  Your input and support are invaluable to the community.

Sincerely,
Jim Smith and The Smell Volunteers

Website:  https://www.thesmell.org
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/The-Smell-142946471699/
Instagram:  @thesmell247
Twitter:  @thesmellLA
#savethesmell