The Fastest Grant in the West: How fast can you be?

Monday, October 22, 3:45pm – 4:45pm

Organized by Joe Smoke, director, Grants Administration Division, Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

Presented by Joe Smoke, director, Grants Administration Division, Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs; Ian Williams, community outreach coordinator, Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs; and Dianne Debicella, program director, Community Partners.

In this session, we will offer an introduction to the City of Los Angeles’ monthly Arts Activation Fund (AFF) which provides grants to community activists (artists, ensembles, for-profit business owners, etc.) within 40 days. AAF has three years of success and several lessons to offer. With the fast turn around and 75% of support provided at contracting, AAF has seed-funded for more than 30 new pop-up and festival-style events in LA. AAF is proof that government grant-making can be easy, speedy, and high-touch. This model can be recreated in any city or region.