Toy maker helps fund art and design education

By Jason Segarra on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 22:30

Get a degree in

In a move that should help stimulate the future of the arts and design industry, Mattel Incorporated, makers of iconic children''s toys like Barbie and Hot Wheels, has presented a gift of more than $1.8 million to the Otis College of Art and Design.

The announcement came on the same day that the college released its annual Otis Report on the Creative Economy, a study that seeks to quantify the current state and predict the future successes of creative businesses in the Los Angeles region.

The study found that the region saw an increase of 1 million jobs thanks direct or indirectly to creative business ventures over the past year.

"To be competitive in the world and in this age of ideas and innovation, we must embrace creativity in our schools as well as our workplaces," said college president Samuel Hoi at a press conference announcing the study. "Mattel clearly understands this important issue by responding with this generous gift."

The money will go towards creating a new scholarship program, strengthening the art and design curriculum and improving the campus facilities.