The Eastside Arts Initiative (EAI) plays an integral role in furthering the arts in Eastern LA County by providing grant funding for visual and performing arts programs while supporting local artists and arts organizations to develop innovative creative work. Up to $150,000 in total funding will be awarded this cycle.

DEADLINE: December 20, 2023, 11:59 PM (PST)

IMPORTANT: To adequately prepare your grant proposal, please:

  • Review the grant guidelines thoroughly.
  • Take the tutorial before beginning the application.
  • Ensure that all documents included in your application open easily.
  • Keep a copy of your grant proposal in the unlikely event it is lost due to a technical malfunction.
  • For questions or technical support, contact the EAI as far in advance of the deadline as possible by EMAIL ONLY at: arts@eastsideartsinitiative.org. Include full name, phone number, name of organization (if applicable), and specific question or issue.  Do not call or leave a phone message.

GRANT AMOUNTS $

  1. INDIVIDUAL ARTIST: May apply for a grant from $2,500 to $10,000. Must apply with a fiscal agent.
  2. ARTS ORGANIZATION: May apply for a grant between $10,000 to $25,000. Must be a 501C3 non-profit organization and apply directly and not with a fiscal agent.

FUNDING PRIORITIES

Grants are awarded through a competitive process based on the merits of the proposal and these funding priorities:

  • Significance: Program fills a need in the community and has long-lasting value.
  • Distinction/Innovation: Concept is creative and innovative offering unique experiences.
  • Approach: Implementation and outreach plans are well-thought-out with goals to be executed within a specified period.
  • Suitability: Budget and goals are realistic.
  • EAI Partner: Program furthers the arts in Eastern LA County and opens pathways to opportunities in the visual and performing arts.

ELIGIBILITY / REQUIREMENTS

  • Applicant must be an artist or arts organization serving Eastern LA County: Westlake/Rampart/Downtown LA to East L.A; Northeast LA to the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys; and the Southeast LA/Gateway communities of Bell, Bell Gardens, Commerce, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Maywood, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pico Rivera, South Gate, Vernon and Walnut Park unincorporated.
  • Artists must be 18 years of age or older and may apply only with a fiscal agent that is an established 501c3 non-profit arts organization that can provide: an IRS determination letter, IRS 990, and annual budget (see “fiscal agent responsibilities” section below for further requirements).
  • Artists must have sustainable creative work and submit a resume summarizing a minimum of two years of artistic work history and accomplishments.
  • Arts organizations must be an established 501c3 non-profit and able to provide: an IRS determination letter, IRS 990, and annual budget.
  • If the proposal is for a Public Art Project, the applicant must provide a letter signed by the site property owner and a permit from the municipality (if applicable) confirming approval of project specifications and site location.
  • Public art projects must be permanent installations and include a programming component. Non-permanent public art projects are not applicable.
  • Grant proposals are not accepted from schools or government entities.
  • Applicants may submit proposals for after-school community arts programming at schools or government-owned sites.
  • Proposals are not accepted from prior EAI grant recipients who have not submitted closing report from previous grant award (this does not apply to EAI emergency grant recipients).
  • Grant must be utilized directly as proposed, and within one year of award or funds must be refunded.
  • Grant closing reports to the EAI are due two months following conclusion of program.

ELIGIBLE ARTS DISCIPLINES

  • Creative Crafts: Contemporary or Cultural/Folk Art
  • Dance
  • Film
  • Literary Arts
  • Digital and Media Arts
  • Graphic Arts
  • Music
  • Photography
  • Technical Arts
  • Theatre
  • Visual Arts
  • Arts Trades: (i.e., recording engineer, production assistant, set designer, costume designer, make-up artists, etc.)
  • Commercial printing, advertising, marketing does NOT qualify

MANDATORY MEETING

  • Applicants are required to have attended a grant informational meeting within one year before applying for an EAI grant. All applicants are encouraged to attend. The virtual meeting provides a Q&A session regarding the EAI’s funding priorities, grant guidelines and application process. Register for one of the meeting dates listed below:

           Register Here for NOV 15, 2023 - 7PM (PST)

           Register Here for DEC 6, 2023 - 7PM (PST)

 

“SHOW YOUR CREATIVITY” – VIDEO EXAMPLE REQUIRED

Video must include example of proposed program or of applicant's work.

  1. VIDEO (Required):
  • Maximum NO MORE than two minutes (more than two minutes will be disqualified).
  • Film in 1080p or higher (may use Smart Phone).
  • Video must have full rights and clearances for promotion, including all music; and may not be commissioned for commercial use.
  • If video is submitted in foreign language, must include English-language subtitles.
  • Applicant agrees that the video furnished may be retained for file, reference, and archival purposes, and will be viewed partially or in its entirety during review of the grant application.
  • See grant application for URL instructions.

2. IMAGE (Optional to also include for visual arts program)

  • See application for upload link and acceptable formats such as photos, renderings or others
  • Applicant agrees that the image furnished may be retained for file, reference and archival purposes, and will be viewed partially or in its entirety during review of the grant application.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FISCAL AGENT (for artist applicants only):

  • Established for seven years or more as a 501C3 non-profit arts organization.
  • Receives and is responsible for the grant funds on behalf of grant recipient.
  • Reviews grant proposal to understand the program deliverables and fiscal obligations before applicant submits proposal to the EAI.
  • Along with applicant, responsible for closing report if grant is approved and when closing report is due.
  • Provides a letter signed by both the Executive Director and Board President to be included in grant application confirming the organization agrees to take on the responsibilities of the Fiscal Agent, including the grant closing report to be submitted along with artist if grant is approved.
  • Legally, the Fiscal Agent is required to: maintain its own records of the grant expenditures/disbursements; keep receipts for at least three years following receipt of the grant; make financial records related to the grant available upon request; distribute funds directly to the grant recipient in accordance with the grant proposal and on disbursement schedule upon mutual agreement between grant recipient and Fiscal Agent; and is responsible for required tax forms with grant recipient.
  • Must be written on organization's letterhead, signed by the Executive Director as well as the Board President and list the responsibilities of the fiscal agent as specifically written in the EAI guidelines. This is not an MOU between the applicant and fiscal agent.