Independent Master Artist Projects Grant Program
Individual master artists create a new mid-career solo work with grant support.
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Get matched →- Deadline
- annual cycle, check dates
- Entry fee
- Not listed - check the source
- Award
- $10,000
- Location
- Los Angeles, California
- Exhibition window
- Jul 1, 2026 → Jun 30, 2027
- Applicants notified
- May 1, 2026
About
Overview
The COLA-IMAP Grant Program allows accomplished artists to create a new mid-career solo work with the freedom to refocus on themselves and their core impulses. Approximately 6-12 grant-contracts will be offered for designers/visual artists (including architects, graphic designers, and product designers including fashion designers), literary artists (poets or fiction writers), and performing artists (including choreographers, musicians, and multi-disciplinary theater artists). DCA will organize an online and/or printed catalog to promote the grantees and attempt to showcase a curated selection of each master-artist's new work in either a gallery exhibition or performing arts showcase.
Eligibility
Current residents of Los Angeles County who either live in the City of Los Angeles or have a 3 or more-year history of presenting work in the City of Los Angeles. Competitive applicants must be individual artists or independent duos who are professional masters of self-evolved ideas (not curators, presenters, or interpreters of other artists' works, and not artists who have primarily built their credentials within collaborative groups or social practices). Professionals who demonstrate on their resume at least 15 years (8 years for choreographer/dancers) of a progressive, ongoing exhibition, publication, or performance record.
Ineligible Projects
Projects are ineligible if they are collaboratively made and interactive with audiences or other artists. If the art practice involves groups, interactivity with a specific type of person, or is conceptualized to be sited in a self-selected place, applicants should apply to DCA's NEAR grant instead.
Key Dates
- Opens Wednesday, September 24, 2025
- Deadline to apply is Friday, October 31, 2025
- Applicants will receive notification of results in May/June 2026
- Grant activity/projects will take place between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027
Webinars
- Monday, October 6, 2025 Online Webinar 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
- Saturday, October 18, 2025 Online Webinar 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
Award
Approximately 6-12 COLA-IMAP grant-contracts will be offered. Each award is $10,000.
How to Apply
Review the program guidelines at dcaredesign.org/cola/. Submit your application at dca-la.smapply.org/.
Contact
City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs Grants Division 213-202-5566
- Award
- $10,000 grant contract
- Theme
- The program supports accomplished artists creating new mid-career solo work that represents a relevant progression through their pieces or series and exemplifies a generation of core ideas in their field.
- Eligibility
- Current residents of Los Angeles County with 3+ years presenting work in City of Los Angeles; at least 15 years (8 years for choreographers/dancers) of progressive exhibition, publication, or performance record; individual artists or duos only.
- Audience
- Accomplished mid-career artists
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.