Neighborhood Engagement Artist Residency and Creative Optimism-Uplifting Promises Grants + Extended Application Window for Cultural Grants Program Outdoor Festival/Parade Projects
NEAR: individual or collaborative artists propose community-based, participatory residencies (11+ free/low-cost sessions plus public presentation) at non-arts venues; CO-UP: social justice nonprofits partner with teaching artists for similar projects (11 sessions plus public presentation).
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Get matched →- Deadline
- annual cycle, check dates
- Entry fee
- Free
- Award
- $12,000
- Location
- City of Los Angeles, California
About
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.
Application Deadline
October 31, 2025 at 11:59 pm
- Award
- NEAR: $12,000 or $6,000; CO-UP: $15,000 or $6,000 (depending on budget availability)
- Entry fee
- Free to enter
- Theme
- Community-based, participatory arts projects that provide cultural engagement to neighborhoods with little access to arts programming; CO-UP projects partner with social justice organizations focused on equality (cultural, economic, environmental, immigration, healthcare, or housing-based).
- Eligibility
- Individual teaching artists or collaborative teams (NEAR) or social justice nonprofits headquartered in LA County with $100k+ budget (CO-UP); must reside/be headquartered in LA County; projects must occur within City of Los Angeles; teaching artists must have 2+ years experience at non-arts venues.
- Audience
- Community participants with little exposure to proposed cultural opportunity; projects should engage at least 20 participants with culminating presentation to at least 40 others
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.