The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an unprecedented impact on Los Angeles dancers and the performing arts community resulting in dramatic job loss from canceled in-person shows, performances, concerts, and other public gatherings as well as the closing of dance studios across LA.
To support dancers living and working within Council Districts 2, 3, 8, and 10, the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), in partnership with the Los Angeles Dance Workers Coalition, are offering project awards of $2,000 to qualified dancers and choreographers to create a 1 to 3-minute online performance filmed in their district.
DCA’s Performing Arts Program has identified funds to support dancers in the 2nd, 3rd, 8th, and 10th Council Districts through the Madrid Theatre Cultural Hub (MaTCH) and the Leimert Park Cultural Hub (LPCH). A significant number of project awards will be available per district through a peer panel review process to determine the awardees.
Each award consists of a $1,000 Artists Fee and $1,000 production fee. Production costs include rehearsing, costuming, videography, collaborators, marketing, administration, and others related to the cost of production.
As part of the project award, applicants will be required to produce, present, or provide one 1 to 3-minute virtual, online performance that is family friendly, free, and publicly accessible for DCA, LADWC, and other partner organization websites.
Performances must take place in the council district that the artist is affiliated with, and should highlight some place within that district that holds value to the dancer, such as: a park, street, business, home, and public space, among others. Dancers and choreographers that live and/or work in the districts are eligible.
Award recipients will receive a $2,000 contract that is payable in two installments of $1,000. The initial payment will be made upon contract execution, and the second payment will be made after the project is completed with submission of a final invoice.
Eligibility
Applicants include: professional dance sector artists; heritage-based dance practitioners and culture keepers; dance educators; and/or choreographers engaged in diverse commercial, nonprofit, and independent dance practices inclusive of classical, traditional, and contemporary forms. These artists create meaningful contributions to the field, community, and dance ecosystem; are essential to the field; produce cultural content for the audiences of LA County; and maintain knowledge and expertise of their dance discipline.
Applicants must live or work within the geographic boundaries of Council Districts 2, 3, 8, or 10. Visit https://neighborhoodinfo.lacity.org/, enter your physical street address in the search field, and click on “FIND.” In your search result, you should see your City Council District number and the LA City Councilmember’s name listed under Elected Officials. Adjacent districts will be considered.
Applicants must have a social security number.
We encourage BIPOC, LGBTQIA2+, and/or persons with disabilities to apply.
Application
A complete application consists of answering the application questions and submitting the required documentation to dcaperform@lacity.org no later than Friday, April 29, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. The subject line should read: Dance in the Districts, Your Name.
For more information on the history of Dance in the Districts and an Application Packet, please click on the button below.