2027-2028 Special Arts Project Grant Application

Special Arts Project Grant Application - 2027, 2028

All fields marked with * are required and must be filled.
ALL APPLICANTS MAY ONLY APPLY FOR ONE GRANT CATEGORY.

The City of West Hollywood is pleased to offer the Special Arts Project Grant to eligible artists and nonprofit arts organizations for the production, performance, or presentation of large-scale art projects that will take place in West Hollywood and serve the local community between March and September 2028. Additional information about the Arts Grants Program can be found at weho.org/arts.

Be sure to read the grant category guidelines carefully. They are available at:

https://www.weho.org/community/arts-and-culture/grants-and-opportunities/grants-guidelines-and-applications

Applicants will apply for 2 years of funding for 1 proposed project. The proposed project should have 2 phases: development/engagement and implementation. The proposed public facing project must occur between March and September 2028.

This special grant category responds to the West Hollywood's Bronze Silver Gold Creative Plan (Creative Plan), which outlines an authentic and bespoke vision for citywide cultural programming that centers artistic excellence and community engagement in order to create immersive experiences and cultural activities which center the City of West Hollywood as a cultural hub during the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

We invite and encourage artists and organizations representing diverse populations and diverse artistic disciplines to apply for these grants. As stated in our Cultural Equity Statement, the City of West Hollywood’s Arts Division and Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission’s definition of diversity includes all ways in which people differ, including but not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, education, age, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ability, geography, citizenship status, religion, language, physical appearance, and the intersection of these various identities. We commit to ensuring cultural equity in all arts policies and practices. Read the Cultural Equity Statement in its entirety at weho.org/arts.

Please Note:

·        Applicants may only apply to one Arts Grant category per year.

·        An allocation of $15,000 will be reserved for applicants who self-identify as disabled, as well as nonprofit organizations that support and serve disabled artists.

$164,300 Total amount of available funding in this category in 2026

$12,000        Maximum award per organization per calendar year

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS 3 P.M. JULY 1, 2026.

ARTS PROJECT GRANT ELIGIBILITY

Applicants MUST:
- Be an individual artist, artist collective, or a registered 501 (c)(3) arts nonprofit.
- Have the primary mission be the production and/or public presentation of one or more disciplines of the arts.
- Be able to demonstrate artistic experience in their field, and an understanding of the unique aspects and cultural diversity of the West Hollywood community.
- Propose an art project that takes place in West Hollywood or in the immediate West Hollywood adjacent area (within 5 blocks of the border) and demonstrate marketing and outreach strategies targeting West Hollywood residents and constituents. If you are unsure of the borders of West Hollywood please see the map found here.
- Be based in LA County.
- Propose a plan for development or community engagement, as well as a plan for execution.
- Propose a project that responds to the theme "Inventing Traditions".
- Submit an on-line application by the deadline.
Applicants ARE NOT ELIGIBLE IF YOU:
- Are already receiving funding in another grant category in 2027.
- Are already receiving funding from another City Division or Department, are co-sponsored by a City Council office.
- Are a City of West Hollywood elected or appointed officials, an employee or their immediate family member.
- Proposed an art project that is a fundraiser, capital campaign, mural, or religious-based programs/event.
IMPORTANT NOTES
- All grant information provided by the applicant becomes public record.
- Any organization that accepts grant funding is subject to audit by the City to ensure that grant funds were used for the project as reported by the organization. Should organizations not adequately account for use of the grant funds, they may be ineligible for any further grant funding from the City.
Applicants are encouraged to propose a cohesive project with a detailed timeline and budget that is realistic in scope and achievable within the grant period.

ARTS PROJECT REVIEW CRITERIA

All applicants will be screened initially by staff to ensure compliance with the eligibility requirements.

Applicants who do not meet these requirements will not be forwarded on to the grants panel for review.

A peer review panel will evaluate and score grant applications using the following criteria:
- THEMATIC ALIGNMENT: Project reflects the theme of “Inventing Traditions” and resonates with West Hollywood’s unique character. (0-10 points)
- DIVERSITY: Project pushes artistic boundaries, contributes to a range of artistic styles, and offers original, site-responsive work tailored to West Hollywood. Demonstrates inclusion of historically marginalized communities, and considers accessibility for all ages and abilities. (0-10 points)
- PLANNING: Clear, cohesive project with a realistic timeline including marketing or outreach plan. Budget is well-documented, realistic, and aligned with project goals. (0-10 points)
- WORK SAMPLES: Applicant demonstrates artistic excellence, strong leadership, and a history of successful programming. (0-10 points)
- WEHO CONNECTION: Strong connection to West Hollywood through theme, site specificity, or applicant’s residence. (0-5 points)
  
  NOTE: Organizations whose business location is within the City of West Hollywood will receive a bonus of 1 point to their total score, per City policy.
NEXT STEPS AND IMPORTANT DATES

Once you begin your application, you are able to save and continue working on it until the deadline.

A peer panel will review applications in August and submit their scores to the Performing Arts and Cultural Affairs Subcommittee for funding recommendations. Those recommendations will go forward to the Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission in September and ultimately to City Council for approval in September. Applicants who have been approved for funding will be notified in September 2026.

For more information please call: Eva Angeloff at (323) 848-6354 or email eangeloff@weho.org.

You can also find more information at www.weho.org/arts
What is your experience with the WeHo Arts Grant Program?*

I have received funding before.I have applied, but never received funding.I have never applied.I have attended the WeHo Artists Bootcamp.Other
APPLICANT CONTACT INFORMATION

UPON FINAL SUBMISSION, ALL PARTS OF THIS GRANT APPLICATION MUST BE COMPLETED. ALL REQUIRED FIELDS (*) MUST CONTAIN DATA BEFORE SAVING OR SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
Name of Applicant (as known by the IRS)*
For 501(c) Non-Profit Organizations - Upload 501(c)3 letter

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Organization Director & Title*
Must be name and title of person who will sign contract.
Contact E-mail*
example@example.com
Contact Phone Number*
Phone NumberFormat: (000) 000-0000.
Applicant Address - must be based in LA County*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip CodeCountry
General Project Information
Arts Discipline (select one that best describes the PROJECT)*

Dance PerformanceComedy PerformanceLiterature/Poetry/Spoken WordMusic PerformanceTheatre PerformanceVisual Art / ExhibitFilm/Multi-media/Video PresentationOther
Grant Request Amount*
The maximum request is $12,000.
How does the proposed project reflect or integrate the theme of "Inventing Traditions"? (350 word limit)*

0/350
Planning and development + Community Engagement - YEAR 1 (2027)

All applicants should fill out this section. This section only applies to your first year project. Grantees will use this year to develop their project concept, build partnerships, and prepare for implementation. As part of this phase, grantees are expected to engage the community in their creative process – this could include, but is not limited to, workshops, open studios, listening sessions, or other participatory activities that inform or shape the final project.
Provide a description of the community engagement aspect of the proposed project. Include who, what, when, where, and why. Include the intent of your project in the narrative. (350 word limit)*

0/350
When: Anticipated month of proposed community engagement in 2027 *
Where: Please provide the anticipated location for the community engagement. Note: The proposed engagement must take place in West Hollywood or the immediate West Hollywood adjacent area or within 5 block radius of the City of West Hollywood.*
Be sure to provide a specific location.
Does the applicant plan to use a City facility as the location for the proposed engagement?*

NoYes. By checking this box, the applicant acknowledges that use of a City facility is not guaranteed. Grantees are limited to 10 hours of city facility usage per funded year. For screenings, theatrical and visual presentations in the West Hollywood City Council Chambers the cost for technical support is $580 (total cost for the required 4 hour minimum). For all other city facilities, there is NO available audio or visual equipment, so be sure to include any rentals in your budget.
Year 2 (2028) Project Implementation

To receive its year two grant, the applicant must be in compliance with all eligibility requirements and have submitted their Final Report for the year one component within the 30 days of completing its grant project.
Project Title*
When: Anticipated month of proposed project implementation in 2028 *
Where: Please provide the anticipated location for the community engagement. Note: The proposed engagement must take place in West Hollywood or the immediate West Hollywood adjacent area or within 5 block radius of the City of West Hollywood.*
Be sure to provide a specific location.
Does the applicant plan to use a City facility as the location for the proposed engagement?*

NoYes. By checking this box, the applicant acknowledges that use of a City facility is not guaranteed. Grantees are limited to 10 hours of city facility usage per funded year. For screenings, theatrical and visual presentations in the West Hollywood City Council Chambers the cost for technical support is $580 (total cost for the required 4 hour minimum). For all other city facilities, there is NO available audio or visual equipment, so be sure to include any rentals in your budget.
Provide a brief and concise description of your year 2 project (to take place in calendar year 2028). Include who, what, when, where. (250 word limit)*

0/250
MARKETING TO WEHO: Briefly explain how the applicant plans to market and outreach to the West Hollywood community. How is your project relevant to the West Hollywood audience? Projects must demonstrate marketing and outreach strategies targeting West Hollywood residents and constituents. Briefly describe any community engagement strategies. (250 word limit)*

0/250
Anticipated total number of attendees (check one box)*

up to 50between 50-100between 100-200more than 200Other
Ticket cost:

Please note that the City of West Hollywood highly recommends grant funded projects, which do charge admission, to offer free or discounted admission for West Hollywood residents and disadvantaged groups.

Ticket Cost (if any) - if none, mark 0*

Rows	Amount
General Admission
Older Adults
Students
West Hollywood Residents

PROJECT BUDGET (2027, 2028)

Do not enter annual budget. If the proposed project is part of a much larger production, only include income, in-kind contributions and expenses specific to the West Hollywood component. You must add all totals. Do not leave blank. Describe how grant funds will be used in the corresponding column to the right.

Enter the projected INCOME figures for the project (cash)*

Rows	Amount (Year 1)	Amount (Year 2)
Admission/Ticket Sales
Individual Donations
Foundation Support
City of West Hollywood (enter requested amount)
*Other City, County, State and Federal Funds
*Other Income

*If other income was indicated, please explain.
Total Projected Income for Year 1 (will calculate automatically from table above)
Total Projected Income for Year 2 (will calculate automatically from table above)

Enter projected IN-KIND CONTRIBUTION figures for the project

Rows	Amount (Year 1)	Explanation	Amount (Year 2)	Explanation
Services
Goods
Facility/Space
*Other In-Kind

Total Project In-Kind Amount from Year 1 (will calculate automatically from above table)
Total Project In-Kind Amount from Year 2 (will calculate automatically from above table)

Enter projected EXPENSE figures for the project (cash)*

Rows	Amount (Year 1)	Amount (Year 2)	Explanation (i.e, how much each artist will be paid, etc.)
Salaries
Artist Fees
Equipment (screens, projector, speakers, lights, etc.)
Materials (costumes, makeup, set)
Space Rental
Marketing/Publicity/Advertising
Other

Total Project Expenses for Year 1 (will calculate automatically from above table)
Total Project Expenses for Year 1 (will calculate automatically from above table)
Budget Notes (2027, 2028)
Please explain any further budget discrepancies.
PART 6 - ARTISTIC DOCUMENTATION

Artistic documentation is crucial for evaluating the artistic quality of the applicant and/or project. The artistic samples should reflect concepts and quality of the organization's work. Please provide two (2) samples of artistic documentation. Samples should be recent and relevant to the project. Do not submit press, marketing or promotional materials as artistic documentation.
Enter link to online artistic documentation performing arts
Enter one (1) URL beginning with ‘www’ or ‘http'
Enter link to online artistic documentation performing arts
Enter one (1) URL beginning with ‘www’ or ‘http'
Upload artistic documentation visual or literary arts

Accepted file formats: PDF, DOC, DOCX, JPG and PNG
Cancelof
Upload artistic documentation visual or literary arts

Accepted file formats: PDF, DOC, DOCX, JPG and PNG
Cancelof
PART 7 - SOCIAL PAGES
Twitter ID:
Instagram:
Facebook Page:
Website:*
PART 8 - APPLICANT DATA SURVEY - OPTIONAL

Please Note: This section is optional. The information requested below is CONFIDENTIAL and will be used for internal purposes only to better capture and understand the population we serve. As such, the information you provide may be used in summary statistics. IF you are applying on behalf of an organization, please complete the survey using the data that is relevant to YOU, not the general organization.
What is the zip code for your primary residence?
How did you learn about this grant opportunity? (Select all that apply)*

City websiteArts Division Monthly NewsletterArts Division Social MediaDirect notification/email from Arts Division StaffDirect notification/email from Arts CommissionerOther (please list)
What is your age? (Select one)

18-2930-4546-6061+Prefer not to answer
With which gender(s) do you identify? (Select all that apply.)

FemaleGender Non-conforming / Non-binaryIntersexMaleTransTwo SpiritOther (allow for fill in the blank)Prefer not to state
Do you identify as LGBTQ? (Select one)

YesNoPrefer not to answer
Do you identify as a person with disability? (Select one)

YesNoPrefer not to state
How do you identify? (Select all that apply.)

Arab, Arab American, Middle Eastern, North AfricanAsian American, East Asian, Southeast AsianAsian Indian, South Asian, Asian Indian AmericanAfrican, African American, BlackIndigenous, Native Alaskan, Native AmericanLatin American, Latino/a, LatinxNative Hawaiian, Pacific IslanderSephardic, Ashkenazi JewWhite, Caucasian, European AmericanOther (allow for fill in the blank)Prefer Not to StateOther
What is the highest degree or level of education you have completed? (Select one)

Less than 10-12 years of formal schooling [like Abraham Lincoln]High School graduate (or equivalent) [like Fred Korematsu]Some (0-4 years) College [like Charles F. Lummis]College graduate (BA or equivalent) [like Dolores Huerta]Graduate school or beyond [like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.]Prefer Not to State
Have you ever received funding, financial award, or commission from the City of West Hollywood’s Arts Division? (Select one)

YesNo
CERTIFICATION*

By checking this box, I certify that all of the above information is correct to the best of my knowledge.
If you haven't completed the application and would like to 'save' it for future editing, you may click the 'Save' button below. You may edit the application via the 'Edit Link' provided in the 'Thank You' email until the application deadline at 3 p.m. of July 1, 2026.

PLEASE NOTE: All PARTS OF THIS GRANT APPLICATION MUST BE COMPLETED IN FULL BY THE DEADLINE OF 3 P.M., JULY 1, 2026 TO BE CONSIDERED FOR AN ARTS GRANT.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
Should be Empty:

Special Arts Project Grant Application - 2027, 2028

APPLICANT CONTACT INFORMATION

General Project Information

Planning and development + Community Engagement - YEAR 1 (2027)

Year 2 (2028) Project Implementation

PROJECT BUDGET (2027, 2028)

PART 6 - ARTISTIC DOCUMENTATION

PART 7 - SOCIAL PAGES

PART 8 - APPLICANT DATA SURVEY - OPTIONAL