Now Open: 2026 West Hollywood Arts Grant Applications – A Major Opportunity for Artists!

April 01, 2025 | Calling all artists! We're now accepting applications for our 2026 Arts Grant Program! 🎨 🎬 🎭

The City of West Hollywood has officially opened applications for its 2026 Arts Grant Program, offering an exciting funding opportunity for artists, collectives, and nonprofit organizations.

If you’re working on a project that connects to West Hollywood or serves the local community, this grant could be a great fit for you. Whether you're an actor developing a performance piece, a director staging a new work, or an artist creating community-centered experiences, now’s the time to apply!

The Arts Grants categories with open application processes for 2026 are as follows:

Arts Project Grant — Supports non-profit arts organization in the production, performance, or presentation of art projects that take place in the City of West Hollywood and that serve the West Hollywood community. The proposed projects should take place in the City of West Hollywood in 2026 and 2027. Proposed presentations may include, but are not limited to comedy show, dance performance, drag performance, film screening, visual art exhibit, music presentation, poetry reading, and theatre presentation. The Arts Project Grant category is awarded in a two-year cycle (with one application, grantee can be awarded for two years). The maximum grant award is $20,000 per grantee ($10,000 per year). The deadline for this category is Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

Community Arts Grant — Supports individuals and non-profit arts organizations with a history of supporting BIPOC, LGBQ, and/or female artists and audiences. Proposed projects should take place in West Hollywood in 2026. Proposed presentations can include an art centered presentation or performance, and/or an educational and participatory program (workshop) which engages BIPOC, LGBQ, and/or female artists and audiences. The maximum grant award for both artists and non-profits arts organizations for this category is $6,000. The deadline for this category is Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

Filmmakers Grant (New Category for 2026) — Supports filmmakers with funding for finishing a film project, (film must be, at minimum, in rough cut stage with a description of remaining work needed to complete and completion must occur within 2026). Funds may be used for the following: Picture/Sound editing, Additional photography, Post Sound, Color grading, DCP, Music/composing/music rights, VFX. The maximum grant award for this category is $10,000. Up to four grants are expected to be funded in this new category. The deadline is Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

Transgender, Gender Diverse, Intersex, + (TGI+) Arts Grant — Supports and enhances the presentation of artworks in West Hollywood by transgender, non-binary, intersex, and gender nonconforming artists and non-profit organizations with a history of supporting artists in these communities. Proposed projects should take place in West Hollywood in 2026. Proposed presentations should include art presentations which engage transgender, gender diverse, and/or intersex artists and/or audiences. The maximum grant award is $6,500 for both artists and non-profit arts organizations. The deadline for this category is Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

WeHo Artist Grant — Supports the long-term development of an artist’s ideas by providing funds that increase the capacity for artists to realize work, advance the conditions of creation, and navigate the complexities of both making art and making a career. Eligible artists must reside in the City of West Hollywood. The grant award is $6,000 per year for five artists. The deadline for applications is Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

Application Deadline: July 1, 2025

Who Can Apply:

• Individual artists

• Artist collectives

• Nonprofit arts organizations

  Projects must either take place in West Hollywood or serve its residents.

Get More Info:

Two virtual workshops are being offered to guide applicants through eligibility requirements, the application process, and more:

• May 21 at 1 PM

• May 28 at 1 PM

  
  

Why This Matters:

Grants like the West Hollywood Arts Grant can open doors for independent projects and provide critical funding for new works. If you’re looking to build your portfolio, gain community exposure, or fund your creative passion, this is a great opportunity to consider.

(Highly recommend attending if you’re interested — grants like these can make a huge impact!)

Visit weho.org/arts or tap the link in @WeHoCity or @WeHoArts Instagram bio for full details and to apply.

Please note: I’m not affiliated with the City of West Hollywood or the Arts Grant Program. I’m simply sharing opportunities I believe are valuable for our creative community!