County Department of Arts and Culture launched the innovative Creative Recovery LA initiative. This unique grant program will deliver an unprecedented investment in LA County arts to support COVID-19 recovery. Over $26 million in one-time funding will be awarded to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations to sustain—and grow—the arts and creative economy, one of the most economically significant sectors in the County, and one of the hardest-hit by the pandemic.

LA County-based 501(c)3 nonprofit and Model A fiscally sponsored organizations that are arts focused, or have a demonstrated history of arts programming, may be eligible to apply for up to five grant opportunities that address key field needs—all through a single, streamlined application process, open from January 18 to February 15, 2023.

The five opportunities are:

• Arts Relief and Recovery Grant
• Creative Works and Jobs for Artists Grant
• Reopening Culture, Tourism and Marketing Grant
• Creative Career Pathways for Youth Grant
• Arts for Justice-Involved Youth Grant

“The County is working hard to address inequities and transform underserved communities that have been hard hit during the pandemic, and one of most important tools in this charge is the American Rescue Plan Act funding,” said Janice Hahn, Board of Supervisors Chair. “The Department of Arts and Culture’s Creative Recovery LA initiative will bring ARPA funds to our creative sector and bring them equitably. What I am excited about is this—when we invest in arts and culture, we are also strengthening LA County’s crucial creative economy and our communities’ health and wellbeing.”

“Arts are vital to our County’s recovery—our economy, civic engagement, creative jobs, and vibrant communities. But hundreds of LA County organizations that provide arts and cultural services were hit hard by COVID-19, and continue to face challenges as they resume programming and operations. The pandemic also disproportionately impacted communities of color and those who already faced barriers, historic disinvestment, and systemic inequity,” said Kristin Sakoda, Director of the LA County Department of Arts and Culture. “By investing in the arts today, Creative Recovery LA will build a more equitable recovery, ensure a sustainable arts and creative sector for the Los Angeles region, and strengthen the capacity of the cultural field as we look ahead to the 2028 Olympics and the long term.”