Neighborhood Engagement Artist Residency and Creative Optimism-Uplifting Promises Grants + Extended Application Window for Cultural Grants Program Outdoor Festival/Parade Projects

Overview

NEAR grants support freelance teaching artists in community-based, participatory projects in non-arts venues. CO-UP grants support collaborations between social justice nonprofits and teaching artists. Both should culminate in public presentations accessible to the community.

Project Structure

• NEAR: 11+ free/low-cost sessions (or minimum 5 workshops) culminating in one or more public presentations
• CO-UP: 11 sessions ending in one public presentation; $12,000 for artist payment, $3,000 for nonprofit administrative expenses

Funding

• NEAR: approximately $12,000 (or reduced $6,000 depending on City budget)
• CO-UP: $15,000 (or reduced $6,000 depending on City budget)
• DCA aims to support approximately 15-22 NEAR residencies and 10-15 CO-UP residencies

Goals

• Supply creative arts resources to neighborhood organizations in each Council District
• Support projects engaging at least 20 participants with culminating presentation to at least 40 others
• Provide host organizations with opportunities to test or develop new arts services or partnerships

Eligibility

• NEAR: individual artists or collaborative duos/teams with primarily self-developed, self-directed community-based practices
• CO-UP: social justice nonprofits headquartered in LA County with operating budget of at least $100,000
• All applicants must reside in or be headquartered in LA County
• Teaching artists must have 2+ years of experience instructing in proposed discipline at non-arts venues, schools, parks, libraries, or community centers
• Projects must take place and culminate within City of Los Angeles

Social Justice Organization Definition (CO-UP)

DCA defines eligible social justice organizations as nonprofits with board-approved, publicly printed/repeated mission statements naming primary cause for equality (cultural, economic, environmental, immigration, healthcare, or housing-based), plus history of advocacy to rebalance public policies and community-based programs addressing historic/current inequities. Religious, political, legal, and statewide/national/international nonprofits are not eligible.