“Beyond Baroque is one of the last bastions of the spoken word in Los Angeles,” Rosendahl said. “It is appropriate that it maintain its home and its special relationship with the community of Venice, so long a haven for poets, artists and writers.”

The council action came after weeks of intense concern by many in the literary arts community who worried that Beyond Baroque might lose its headquarters and be forced to close or move from Venice, which it has called home since 1968. City agencies had sought a new policy that would have prohibited low-cost leases with struggling arts organizations. Rosendahl intervened, effectively saving Beyond Baroque from possible extinction.

“We are extremely grateful to Councilman Rosendahl for his support and for his leadership,” said Fred Dewey, director of Beyond Baroque. “Beyond Baroque is part of Venice, and Venice is part of Beyond Baroque. I am delighted we will be able to stay there, and I am extremely grateful for the City’s continued support for the literary arts and for our public mission.”