Call for Event Curators, Lunar New Year 2026 Celebration Citywide Cultural Celebrations, January 18 to March 1, 2026

4th Annual Citywide- Lunar New Year Celebration: January 18, 2026 to March 1, 2026

Issued by the Performing Arts Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs for the City of Los Angeles (“DCA|PERF”).

I. Introduction

The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) seeks qualified and visionary event producers (“curators”) with Chinese, Korean and/or Vietnamese cultural expertise, to conceptualize, curate, and deliver family-friendly events for the 4th Annual Citywide Lunar New Year Celebration.

II. The Division

DCA|PERF serves as the heart of the City’s support of live dance, music, theater, and digital media platforms, offering Angelenos low-cost rental opportunities at six professional, DCA-managed performing arts centers and two public/private partnership theaters. At the core of its mission, DCA|PERF also locally produces world-class programming, providing catalysts for economic development, community engagement, and civic education and pride. When producing its programming, DCA|PERF uses independent, peer-review panels to select artists who respond to calls, and who create and present programming across the City. DCA|PERF’s community-focused programming shapes attitudes, counters cultural stereotypes, and inspires creativity. Both DCA|PERF’s programming and rentals at its arts centers play an essential role

in stabilizing LA’s artistic ecosystem and nurturing the revitalization of our City’s creative communities.

III. The Program – LNY26

In 2023, DCA|PERF launched the first-ever citywide Lunar New Year Celebration, which presented multiple Chinese, Korean, or Vietnamese, culturally-specific events over four weekends in January, in six council districts across Los Angeles. In 2024, the program expanded to nine events, adding an eighth council district. The goal is to present programming in all 15 Los Angeles City Council Districts by 2028. Events include cultural dance, food and arts festivals, film screenings, street fairs, parades, story-telling, and spoken-word performances. 

IV. The Scope of Services – LNY26 Curators

The Department of Cultural Affairs Performing Arts Division (DCA|PERF) seeks to enter into a non-exclusive, project-based agreement with curators who will lead the planning and execution of cultural events across Los Angeles from January 18 through March 1, 2026, as part of the citywide Lunar New Year celebration. These multidisciplinary events will take place in neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles, and will highlight the rich cultural diversity of the City through live performances, family-friendly art activities, and community engagement.

Curators will be responsible for overseeing the creative direction, logistical planning, and on-site execution of their assigned events. These may include—but are not limited to—night markets, cultural festivals, performances, and intergenerational community gatherings.

Each Curator is responsible for the following (including, but not limited to):

1. Identify and secure a location for the events that support community access and visibility.
2. Design a welcoming and culturally relevant event environment that celebrates the traditions and communities highlighted at each event.
3. Define and oversee staging needs, including layout of performance areas, audience space, and gathering zones for food, crafts, or workshops.
4. Contract production support from reputable vendors for technical elements such as audio, lighting, power, trusses, and staging infrastructure.
5. Engage and schedule performers that reflect the cultural focus of the event, including musicians, dancers, DJs, storytellers, and other artists and entertainers.
6. Include signature cultural elements such as traditional dance troupes, ritual or symbolic practices, or themed spectacles relevant to the celebration.
7. Create spaces for family engagement and intergenerational programming, such as hands-on arts and crafts, demonstrations, and workshops.
8. Coordinate food and beverage vendors, ensuring the inclusion of culturally relevant cuisine and securing all required permits.
9. Arrange and/or confirm sanitation and clean-up services, including trash disposal and portable restrooms.
10. Lead all promotional efforts for the event, including social media, flyer distribution, and community outreach.

Curators must be able to manage budgets, meet deadlines, collaborate with city staff and local partners, and produce safe, inclusive, and culturally resonant public events.

V. Fees

For the completion of the above services DCA|PERF will pay the all-inclusive fee listed in (parentheses) for each event.

• K-Popalooza in West LA – Sunday, January 18, 2026 ($25,000)
• A one-day family festival centered on all things K-Pop featuring performances, dance workshops, and food vendors, creating an energetic and communal celebration for K-Pop fans of all ages.
• Lankershim Lunar Block Party in NoHo – Saturday, January 24, 2026 ($60,000)
• A vibrant street market, bringing together with a lively mix of AAPI vendors, diverse food trucks, and energetic live performances.
• Night Market at the KTown Plaza – Saturday, January 31, 2026 ($60,000)
• Activating the mall with live lion dances, festive decorations, and special promotions at the food court, creating an engaging, holiday atmosphere.
• Short Film Screening at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre – Saturday, February 7, 2026 ($8,000)
• A curated collection of short films from Asian American and Pacific Islander creators, offering diverse perspectives and stories.
• LNY Storytelling at Plaza de la Raza – Friday, February 13, 2026 ($6,000)
• A showcase of spoken word, poetry, and song, blending heartfelt narratives with a theatrical flair.
• Tet Celebration in the West Valley – Saturday, February 14, 2026 ($18,000)
• A party for all ages to enjoy traditional Vietnamese food and captivating live performances in a cozy, festive atmosphere.
• Theatre for Young Audiences – Friday, February 20, 2026 ($20,000)
• Present a live theater performance that investigates the AAPI immigrant experience, accessible to family audiences.

The City of Los Angeles does not front-fund projects. Payments will be made when the Curator meets deliverable benchmarks. The final payment will be made after the completion of the

project, the Curator meets all necessary criteria, and may take up to four (4) months to be fully disbursed.

VI. Application Process

Recipients of 2025-2026 Grants from DCA are not eligible to respond to this call.

Only one application may be submitted per Curator.

Proposals must include a description of the work to be created, and all performance styles of Chinese, Korean and/or Vietnamese entertainment are welcome. Video samples such as B-roll and/or still photographs from previous, similar events may be attached to submitted proposals. All entertainment and decor must be suitable for audiences of all ages.

A complete application consists of answering all the questions below and submitting the required documentation to julia.chavez@lacity.org by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. The subject line should read Lunar New Year Call - [Specify Event(s)]

Response proposals must include the following [Rating value]:

1. Contact information for the primary Curator;
2. A 100-word description of the proposed event and services provided; [20 points]
3. Completion of the budget template, demonstrating how Curator intends to utilize the commission; [20 points]
4. Examples of relevant past projects and examples of prior work and pertinent materials in digital formats or web links. [10 points]

The highest total score that can be reached by peer-panel review is 50 points.

VII. Selection Criteria and Process

DCA|PERF will review submitted proposals for completeness and qualifications. Selection for a contract award will be made based on meeting the following criteria:

• Responsiveness to the specifics of this call;
• Expertise and experience of Curator and/or firm(s) in providing similar services;
• Creativity and innovation of past work history.

Curators may apply for more than one event, but each application will be reviewed separately.

Given the cultural traditions associated with the Lunar New Year, DCA|PERF is seeking Curators with a history of providing authentic services within Chinese, Korean or Vietnamese communities. DCA|PERF also encourages the submission of proposals from underserved and/or underrepresented Curators or firms owned by minorities, women, immigrants, and veterans. DCA|PERF does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, national origin, disability, or veteran status in consideration of these commissions. The City of Los Angeles is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

VIII. The Fine Print

The following terms and conditions apply to all responses to this call:

1. DCA|PERF reserves the right to reject any and all proposals submitted; to select one or more responding parties; to void this call and the review process and/or terminate negotiations at any time; to select separate responding parties for various components of the scope of services; to select a final/parties from among the proposals received in response to this call. Additionally, any project elements, requirements, and schedules are subject to change and modification. DCA|PERF also reserves the unqualified right to modify, suspend, or terminate at its sole discretion any aspects of this selection process, to obtain further information from any responding parties, and to waive any defects as to the form or content of this call or any responses by any party;
2. This call does not commit DCA|PERF to award a contract, to defray any costs incurred in the preparation of a response, or to contract for any services. All submitted responses become the property of DCA|PERF as public records. All proposals may be subject to public review, upon request, unless exempted as discussed elsewhere in this call;
3. By accepting this call and/or submitting a proposal in response thereto, each responding party agrees for itself, its successors, and assigns, to hold DCA|PERF and its affiliated entities, the City of Los Angeles, and all of their various agents, commissioners, directors, consultants, attorneys, officers and employees harmless from and against any claims and demands of whatever nature or type, which any such responding company, its representatives, agents, contractors, successors or assigns may have against any of them as a result of issuing or revising this call, conducting the selection process and subsequent negotiations, making a final recommendation, selecting a responding party/parties or negotiating or executing an agreement incorporating the commitments of the selected responding party;
4. By submitting responses, each responding party acknowledges having read this Fine Print in its entirety and agrees to all terms and conditions set therein;
5. Responses shall be open and valid for a period of three (3) weeks from the due date.

IX. Schedule

• Call Issued Monday, September 15, 2025
• Deadline for Submissions Tuesday, September 30, 2025
• Selection of Curator / Contract Awarded Monday, October 13, 2025
• Mandatory Lunar New Year virtual meeting Friday, October 24, 2025
• Term of Contract Begins Monday, January 5, 2026
• Term of Contract Ends Sunday, March 2, 2026

Proposals must be received no later than 11.59pm on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. DCA|PERF is not obligated to consider proposals received after this date and time.