Neighborhood Engagement Artist Residency (NEAR) + Creative Optimism-Uplifting Promises (CO-UP) Grants
The Neighborhood Engagement Artist Residency (NEAR) and Creative Optimism-Uplifting Promises (CO-UP) Grants fund artists and social justice nonprofits to lead community residencies that expand access to arts in Los Angeles.
Funder: City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs
Due Dates: October 30, 2026 (online submission, 11:59 p.m. PDT)
Funding Amounts: NEAR: $12,000; CO-UP: $15,000; qualifying NEAR art therapists may request up to $15,000
Summary: Supports participatory artist residencies at non-arts venues that expand access to arts and culture in Los Angeles neighborhoods.
Key Information: Each proposal needs a Los Angeles City host venue and letters of support from its proposed hosts.
Description
The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) runs two residency grants for socially engaged arts projects co-created with community participants. Neighborhood Engagement Artist Residency (NEAR) supports independent artists; Creative Optimism–Uplifting Promises (CO-UP) supports social justice nonprofits working with teaching artists on new or pilot projects.
Both programs bring a series of participatory or educational workshops and a culminating public presentation to non-arts venues within Los Angeles City. DCA aims to reach audiences with limited access to arts and culture, build creative skills, and help neighborhood hosts explore new services and collaborations. It particularly encourages work in arts-underserved council districts and seeks projects that connect a strong artistic vision with meaningful exchange in the host community.
