Photo by Aaron Perez.
Kristin Sakoda is the inaugural director of the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture. She previously served as an arts executive, attorney, and performing artist. Before taking part in the Zócalo, Thomas Mann House, and L.A. Review of Books program “How Should Arts Institutions Navigate the Culture Wars?”—part of the two-day conference “Arts in Times of Crises”—Sakoda joined us in the green room to talk about ABBA, “The 1619 Project,” and her dreams for arts and culture in L.A.
What’s the earliest creative act that you remember doing?
Reading, if reading is a creative act, because you’re also using your imagination. I was a voracious reader; my mother taught me to read when I was 3, so I read a lot growing up.
You’re the youngest in your family. Do you think you fit into any younger sibling tropes?
I probably fit the bill pretty well. I think being more of the black sheep or the one that does things that are unexpected or without getting permission. I did that kind of thing more than my sisters.
In a different life, you were performing in productions like Mamma Mia!. What’s your favorite ABBA song?
Interestingly enough, I didn’t know ABBA before I auditioned and got the show. So it’s really through the show that I learned a lot. A lot of the songs are really memorable. I don’t know if I could say I have a favorite, but definitely, when I hear the songs, I think about them through the show.
You’re the first-ever director for the L.A. County Department of Arts and Culture. What’s your biggest pie-in-the-sky dream for it?
I would first want to really bolster all the incredible work we’re already doing, and after that, there’s an entire world of cultural creative space. I see in front of us really strong opportunities to build on the positive practices we’ve started, and integrate the arts into our civic infrastructure in a much stronger way.
If you have a free Sunday, where can we find you?
At home, for sure, hanging out with my family, maybe cooking dinner with a glass of wine, that kind of thing. I love to be a homebody.
What’s something you read that’s been on your mind lately?
“The 1619 Project.” I got to hear Nikole Hannah-Jones speak at the Grammy Museum, and she was amazing. That night was the premier of the “MUSIC” episode of the Hulu show of The 1619 Project. It was really just a wonderful conversation.
You’re hosting a dinner party with artists: Who’s one person you’d have on the guest list?
My mind went to so many places, including folks that I know, like Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, who’s a MacArthur winner, and just premiered an incredible opera at Houston Opera called Intelligence. I would love to have her as part of the conversation.