Neighborhood Engagement Artist Residency (NEAR) and Creative Optimism-Uplifting Promises (CO-UP) Grants (2027-28)

The City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs is offering two grant programs—Neighborhood Engagement Artist Residency (NEAR) and Creative Optimism‑Uplifting Promises (CO‑UP)—to support freelance teaching artists who will design and deliver free or low‑cost workshops for community groups and social‑justice organizations. NEAR grants are applied for by individual artists; CO‑UP grants are applied for by nonprofit social‑justice organizations that will hire a freelance teaching artist. Grants may be as high as $12,000 (NEAR) or $15,000 (CO‑UP) and projects must occur in non‑traditional arts spaces. Applications open September 18 2026 and must be submitted by October 31 2026. • Supports freelance teaching artists to lead community‑relevant workshops • Two tracks: individual artist‑led (NEAR) and nonprofit‑led (CO‑UP) • Funding up to $12k (NEAR) or $15k (CO‑UP) per project • Projects must be held outside conventional arts venues • Application deadline 2026‑10‑31; posting date 2026‑09‑18 • Contact: Ben Espinosa ([email protected])