Los Angeles Public Library and Library Foundation of Los Angeles Launch
Open Call for L.A. Residents to Apply for LAPL Creators in Residence Program

Los Angeles, CA – [June 5, 2023] – The Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) and the Library Foundation of Los Angeles (LFLA) are thrilled to announce an open call for applications for the second cohort of the Los Angeles Public Library Creators in Residence program. This initiative is an opportunity for creative Angelenos to develop an original project inspired by the vast resources, collections, and/or services of the Library. Two creators will be selected and each will receive a $20,000 honorarium plus additional support for materials and production expenses. The open call for applications is now live, with a final deadline for submission on July 14, 2023.

“We invite a diverse range of creators from visual artists, scientists, and filmmakers to composers, podcasters, and beyond to apply for the LAPL Creators in Residence program,” says LFLA President and CEO Stacy Lieberman. “The Library Foundation is committed to supporting the Library as a creative haven, and this special initiative provides a wonderful opportunity to more deeply engage our city in the power of our libraries.”

The two Creators will be selected in the fall of 2023, with their projects culminating in a public presentation in spring 2024. They will have the opportunity to work closely with LAPL and LFLA staff, examine the Library’s extensive collections, utilize its facilities, and participate in Library programs. The new Creators are expected to explore these resources and experiences to propose and develop an original project that meaningfully contributes to or enhances the Library’s mission and increases awareness and engagement with the Library broadly.

“The Los Angeles Public Library is pleased to provide these types of unique opportunities for L.A.’s creative community and looks forward to the insightful work that will evolve from this collaboration. The Creators in Residence program offers a platform to showcase incredible local talents and use the Library’s collections to spark new ideas and contribute to the cultural enrichment of the community,” says City Librarian John F. Szabo.

Each Creator is expected to produce unique physical or digital deliverables that become part of the Library’s permanent collection, along with a public engagement component such as an exhibition or workshop series. Eligible applicants must be 18 years of age or older and residents of Los Angeles County. Detailed information about the program and the online application can be found at lapl.org/creators. Questions about the application process can be directed to creators@lapl.org.

The work of the inaugural Creators in Residence—photographer Kwasi Boyd-Bouldin and interdisciplinary visual artist River Garza—remains on view in the First Floor Galleries at Central Library through the summer of 2023. The Los Angeles Public Library Creators in Residence was established in 2021 with an endowment provided by the Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg Fund. It is an ongoing initiative with cohorts of two Creators participating in an 18-month cycle.

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About Los Angeles Public Library
Celebrating 150 years of service, the Los Angeles Public Library serves the largest and most diverse urban population of any library in the nation. A recipient of the nation’s highest honor for library service—the National Medal from the Institute of Museum and Library Services—its Central Library, 72 branch libraries, collection of more than eight million books, state-of-the-art technology accessible at lapl.org, and thousands of public programs provide everyone with free and easy access to information and the opportunity for lifelong learning.

About Library Foundation of Los Angeles
The Library Foundation of Los Angeles supports the Los Angeles Public Library in its effort to provide all 3.8 million Angelenos with equitable access to thousands of free programs, resources, and services. Through fundraising, advocacy, and innovative programs, the Library Foundation strengthens the Library’s commitment to educate and empower every individual in our city’s diverse communities. At the Foundation, we are committed to keeping the Library thriving for generations to come and to providing all Angelenos with the tools to enrich and improve their lives.