The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) Performing Arts Division (PERF) is proud to announce commissions in the disciplines of dance, music, theater, and media for its annual Language of the Cosmos project at the Taxco Theatre in Canoga Park.
Request for Proposals: Language of the Cosmos
The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) Performing Arts Division (PERF) will commission eight (8) performing and/or media artists and three (3) youth development organizations to share their work in Language of the Cosmos, our second annual festival-style weekend of performances, community workshops, and multimedia installations inspired by the wonders, sounds, and visuals of the cosmos.
In celebration of the intersection of art and science, DCA invites Los Angeles area performing artists and of theater, music, dance, poetry, and media arts to engage with partners from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA/JPL) in the creation of new works or the reimagining of existing ones.
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, founded in 1936, has a rich history of encouraging, cultivating, and nurturing artists. NASA/JPL’s scientific exploration of the Earth, solar system, and beyond has served as a resource for artists to unlock creativity and communicate the inspiration of science through non-conventional methods.
Commission:
Eight (8) artists at $2,500
Three (3) youth development organizations at $3,000
Project Timeline:
April 18 – Application Deadline
April 22 – Commission Winner(s) Announced
Production Timeline:
April TBD – NASA JPL Tour
June 25 – Technical Rehearsal at Taxco Theatre
June 26 – Technical Rehearsal at Taxco Theatre
June 27 & 28 – Performance at the Taxco Theatre
Application Guidelines:
Artists may use this opportunity to revisit previous work or start a new piece. A team of science communicators from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory will facilitate conversations and interviews with scientists, engineers, designers, and other NASA/JPL staff.
Performances may be solo works, duets, or small ensembles. Multimedia works will be presented as part of an installation for educational viewing. All works should not exceed ten (10) minutes in length.
FUNDING AND PAYMENT CONDITIONS
The City of Los Angeles does not front-fund projects. The commission will be paid in full after the project concludes and when all contractual requirements have been met. Please note that this may take up to six (6) to nine (9) months to complete.
Applicants receiving 2024/ 2025 grants from DCA’s Grants Division are not eligible for commissions.
The individual or organization receiving the commission payment must submit a copy of their Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC). For more information visit https://finance.lacity.gov/tax-education/new-business-registration/how-register-btrc.
A complete application consists of answering all the questions below and submitting the required documentation by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 18, 2025. The subject line should read Language of the Cosmos Application [Your Name].
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Submission requirements and scoring below. To be considered, interested artists, arts organization, and youth development groups must submit the following by the application deadline stated on the call:
Cover Letter (10 points)
Includes an introduction, artist statement, the specific call for which you are applying and why
Proposal (10 points)
A paragraph describing the proposed work and use of the commission funds outlined in a budget.
A Short Bio (10 points)
A brief biography detailing the applicant’s background, accomplishments, and artistic statement.
Resume (10 points)
A comprehensive resume outlining your experience relative to the call.
Work Sample(s) (10 points)
Links to video/film samples (up to five minutes) showcasing the applicant’s work relative to the call for which you are applying.
Social Media and Press (5 points)
Provide any links to social media, reviews, press coverage, or testimonials of previous projects.
BTRC (Business Tax Registration Certificate) (5 points)
The artist or organization receiving the commission payment must submit a copy of their BTRC.
The highest total score that can be reached by peer panel review is 60 points.
Please forward your packet of materials to dca-taxcotheatre@lacity.org with the heading Language of the Cosmos, in the subject line by Friday, April 18 by 11:59 p.m.