Open Call

Open Call for cultural workers & creatives

The Goethe-Institut Los Angeles is currently seeking Los Angeles-based cultural workers, creatives, artists, artisans, curators, performers, choreographers, musicians, filmmakers, and others to develop, manage, and realize cultural programs that focus on and uplift the neighborhood of Westlake/MacArthur Park and surrounding areas. Exhibitions/installations/performances and other programs will be presented as part of the Neighborhood Interpretive Center in 2025 at the Goethe-Institut Project Space in Westlake/MacArthur Park. 

Objective:

The Goethe-Institut is the cultural institute of Germany with a global reach. In fulfillment of the Goethe-Institut's mandate to foster international cultural cooperation, this Open Call seeks to connect the work of the Goethe-Institut with the needs of cultural workers, creatives, artists, artisans, curators, performers, choreographers, musicians, filmmakers, creatives, community partners, and residents of the Westlake/MacArthur Park area and surrounding communities. The program provides awardees access to an innovative and multi-use venue ready to be a space for experimentation and ideas.

The selected cultural workers and creatives will receive institutional and financial support from the Goethe-Institut and members of the selection committee, including access to the space, guidance in preparation for the exhibition/installation/performance or other programs, and additional promotional support through the Goethe-Institut's network. In addition, awardees shall receive a $2,000 honorarium for curatorial research and work and a production budget of $4,000 to produce, install and de-install their work.

Selected cultural workers and creatives are expected to program the space with critical and engaging formats and be directly involved in the organization, installation, and promotion of proposed exhibitions/installation/performance or other programs and related events. Additionally, they will work closely with the Goethe-Institut to administer the space, create relevant press releases and program-related publications, and augment the program with events that draw attention to the work and associated issues. Awardees thereby gain experience in the operation of a small art space with a distinctive international profile.

GUIDELINES:

Proposals should focus on cultural projects and themes that are innovative, challenging, engaging, and relevant to the Westlake/MacArthur Park community.
Extra consideration will be given to cultural workers and creatives that live or work in Westlake/MacArthur Park or surrounding areas.  
Extra consideration will be given to proposals that demonstrate a greater understanding of and focus on the unique history, dynamics, heritage, and distinctiveness of the Westlake/MacArthur Park neighborhood and surrounding areas.  
Extra consideration will be given to proposals that include work from artists who qualify as under-recognized (no gallery representation and no solo exhibitions in a major venue within the past five years).
Strong proposals are flexible and have room for growth. As such, a proposed exhibition that has already been shown elsewhere is less favorable than one in which the cultural worker or creative seeks to build upon previous work.
The Goethe-Institut strongly encourages project proposals that contribute to our ongoing commitment to diversity.

WHAT THE OPPORTUNITY INCLUDES:

Up to ten-week program in 2025 at the Goethe-Institut Los Angeles Project Space in Westlake/MacArthur Park.
Mentoring from one of the jury members, if requested.
Opportunities to develop related public programming in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut
Opening reception
Press and PR support through the Goethe-Institut
$2,000 unrestricted honorarium
$4,000 production budget to cover costs associated with production, install/de-installation of the program.

SELECTION: 

The proposals will be judged in two stages. All applications will first be screened for eligibility. Finalists will be selected by a jury comprised of cultural practitioners that will convene in February, 2025. Selected project finalists will work in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut throughout the planning stages of the project.

SUBMISSION PROCESS:

CV (or comparable resume)
Brief synopsis of the proposed project – up to 150 words
Detailed proposal that outlines both the concept and plan for the project. The proposal should also include a short explanation detailing why your proposal should be selected to be exhibited, how this opportunity would benefit you at this point in your career and how you imagine using the potential of the Goethe-Institut Project Space as a venue.
Preliminary budget proposal. Finding further financial support in addition to the $4,000 production budget of the Goethe-Institut to realize the project is encouraged.
Optional: List of proposed works (including images or links to proposed works), short bios for each artist, and/or work samples. 
Acknowledging all literacy levels, you may also submit your application by video.
All applications will be evaluated based on the proposal submitted, the cultural worker or creative’s prior experience, and their ability to work within the scope of the budget provided. 
All submitted proposals will be considered final. All incomplete or duplicate applications will be disqualified.

Please submit your application and all relevant materials to Daniel.chaffey@goethe.de by January 27th 2025.