Public-Space Activation Fund (PAF)
Submit a proposal for a temporary, site-related creative project in LA public spaces to activate underserved neighborhoods through community engagement.
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Get matched →- Deadline
- rolling, apply anytime
- Entry fee
- Free
- Award
- $600
- Location
- Public spaces (streets, sidewalks, parks) throughout City of Los Angeles
About
Overview
The Public-Space Activation Fund (PAF) supports temporary creative engagements at publicly accessible outdoor spaces in Los Angeles neighborhoods where the arts are currently absent or scarce. PAF is a monthly funding opportunity supporting new ideas, pop-up concepts, and start-up projects needing outside capital to launch or lift.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants are Los Angeles-based community entrepreneurs including artists, cultural activists, collectives, neighborhood businesses, nonprofit organizations, and collaborative pairings under stewardship of one lead-agent. All applicants must have a strong connection (place of work or residence) to the proposed project site and provide the exact address and a letter of support from the site's venue owner/operator. Priority is given to projects in arts-underserved LA City council districts.
Funding Levels
Grants range from $600 to $45,000 based on project category, geographic location, and complexity. PAF includes four categories: Neighborhood Expressions ($600–$1,200 for individual artists), Arts and Social Wellness ($7,500–$10,000), International Festivals & Intercultural Foods ($7,500–$10,000), and International Participation And Promotion Projects.
Project Types
Eligible projects include community picnics, outdoor festivals, pop-up performance events, outdoor food/food-truck festivals, temporary banners/vinyl murals, candlelight vigils, live performances, and community-relevant mini-festivals.
Project Timeline
Applicants should submit applications 3 to 5 months in advance of their proposed event date. All planning, development, and implementation should be feasibly coordinated within this production timeline. Applications are generally reviewed within approximately 20 business days.
Key Dates
- Monthly submissions: October 2023 to July 2024
- Deadline: July 31, 2024 at 12:00 am
- Status: Program preparing to re-open for 2025/2026 cycle
Support and Capacity Building
In partnership with Community Partners, a local business incubator agency, grantees receive enterprise advising and intermediary services to promote capacity building and sustainability.
Contact
For questions or to discuss project eligibility before submitting, contact Sarena Khasawneh ([email protected]), the primary PAF contact. Additional contacts: Haley Roeser ([email protected]) and Ben Espinosa ([email protected]).
- Award
- Grants ranging from $600 to $45,000 depending on project category and complexity
- Entry fee
- Free to enter
- Theme
- Temporary creative projects that activate public spaces and provide cultural enhancement in LA neighborhoods where arts and culture are currently absent or scarce.
- Eligibility
- Los Angeles-based community entrepreneurs (artists, cultural activists, nonprofits, or collaborative pairings) with strong connection to proposed project site; priority given to arts-underserved LA City council districts.
- Priority given to
- Priority for arts-underserved LA City council districts
- Audience
- Los Angeles-based community entrepreneurs including independent artists, cultural activists, nonprofit organizations, and collaborative partnerships
- Contact
- [email protected]
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.