Cultural Grants Program
Forecasted
Cultural Grants Program supports nonprofits' artistic projects, youth arts learning, and outdoor cultural events to expand free or low-cost arts participation and engage underserved Los Angeles communities.
Funder: City of Los Angeles – Department of Cultural Affairs
Due Dates (Anticipated): August 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Outdoor festivals/parades: up to $40,000; off-cycle artistic projects: $3,000–$5,000; 1:1 match required; reimbursement-based funding
Summary: Supports nonprofit-led artistic projects, youth arts learning, and outdoor cultural presentations offering free or low-cost public activities in Los Angeles.
Key Information: Applicants must be headquartered in Los Angeles County and have at least one year of experience with the proposed project.
Description
The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) Cultural Grants Program funds project-specific public cultural activities rather than general operations. It supports free or low-cost arts participation and presentations serving residents, visitors, and tourists within Los Angeles city boundaries. Its goals include creating jobs for LA-based artists, arts administrators, and arts managers, while engaging specific neighborhoods and communities, particularly arts-underserved areas.
The published FY 2027–28 guidelines emphasize Dance, Music, Theatre, and Transdisciplinary Arts, with limited off-cycle support for other disciplines. The program also supports sequential in-school youth arts learning culminating in public after-school events, plus outdoor festivals and parades. DCA encourages projects that strengthen existing work, demonstrate community impact, create volunteer opportunities, and can be repeated in a second year.
