Scion's Got the Arts Covered

Multimedia artists and designers. Filmmakers. Musicians. They're all being helped by an automaker. In this economy. No, really.

Scion, a marque of vehicles made by Toyota, has a number of initiatives taking place to help various artists across the country. These include:

• Scion Space - The company has an art gallery in Culver City, Calif., and hosts art shows and other arts-related events. The new collection "This Must Be the Place" opens on June 20, and Scion pays for the artists to fly out for the openings.
• Easy 10 - Founded in 2007, Scion partners with 10 up-and-coming filmmakers each year to create a short film. The completed films then premiere in both New York City and Los Angeles.
• House Parties - The company hosts free concerts in select cities, with one nearly every month in Los Angeles, including tonight at the Roxy (you can RSVP here).
• Scion A/V - Scion actually owns its own record label, releasing CD samplers and remixes of songs by leading artists.

Scion covers all the overhead costs (producing the CDs, the gallery space for the artists, etc.) and the artists receive all the profits. It's a great way for Scion to spread its brand name, sure, but it's equally impressive how they're helping artists get their work out.

Logo courtesy of Scion