LA’s Department of Cultural Affairs Announces Cultural Grant Guidelines

The Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs announced its guidelines Monday for nonprofit organizations and festival producers applying for grants to support free or low cost cultural events that will take place between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.

Grants are available for artistic or arts education projects proposed by nonprofit arts organizations or arts educational organizations. Nonprofit community service organizations with missions that aren’t arts-exclusive can propose an outdoor festival or parade in partnership with a tribal elder, arts curator or arts agency, according to DCA.

During odd-numbered years, like 2021, DCA encourages applicants to apply in the categories of culture/history presentations, literature or publishing projects, media activities or presentations, design/visual art exhibitions or museum projects, or traditional/folk arts activities/presentations.

“DCA’s grant guidelines contain incremental changes to increase the city’s alignment with contemporary topics regarding social justice, with one category name-change, and a stratification of the `Outdoor Festivals/Parades’ category into three sizes,” said Joe Smoke, DCA’s grants administration Division Director.

“New instructions welcome applicants to present their authentic values toward fostering inclusion, diversity, equity, excellence, and access. This can be demonstrated by showcasing specific workers and/or themes within project-proposals.”

Smoke asked applicants to carefully read the educational introduction and online instructions.

The department will conduct webinars and in-person workshops to assist applicants, including:

• on Aug. 6 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. DCA will hold a virtual meet- and-greet where applicants can discuss their organization and project eligibility with grants staff;
• on Aug. 12 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. DCA will hold a webinar;
• on Aug. 18 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. DCA will hold an in-person workshop with the grants director at the Sun Valley Youth Arts Center, at 8642 Sunland Blvd.; and
• on Aug. 21 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. DCA will hold a webinar.

People can register for the events and webinars at bit.ly/3zJ8Yah. People must RSVP at least two business days in advance and webinars are limited to 30 participants.

The program requires applicants to be a nonprofit organization with a primary purpose related to the arts or be partnered with an arts expert or agency for the project. The organization must be headquartered in Los Angeles County and have a project that will specifically serve Los Angeles County residents within the city’s boundaries.

Applicants also must have a year of experience with the proposed project.

The deadline to apply for the grants is Aug. 27. Applicants will be notified of the results in May or June, 2022. More information is available at culturela.org/grants/cultural-grant-program-org.

“Our Cultural Grants Program supports creative projects that reflect the core values of the Department of Cultural Affairs: inclusion, diversity, equity, excellence, and access,” said Danielle Brazell, the department’s general manager.

“Through these vital partnerships — with local organizations, we deliver world-class arts and cultural — experiences throughout the year that activate and engage our residents and visitors in neighborhoods all across Los Angeles.”