Destination Crenshaw is built for and by Black Los Angeles.
Destination Crenshaw is a community-inspired public art exhibit and streetscape design project that highlights the world-class contributions of Black Los Angeles to American and world culture. Home to the largest black community west of the Mississippi River, we have produced and influenced some of the greatest musicians, athletes, faith leaders, entertainers, and artists the world has ever seen. Black LA is also the center of some of the most effective multiracial community organizing and political activism in the nation.
CREATIVE OPPORTUNITY
In response to the federal removal and proposed sale of Kehinde Wiley's painting from the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic, Destination Crenshaw is issuing an open call for art that affirms a simple truth: We Will Not Be Erased.
We invite Black artists, spoken-word artists, storytellers, musicians, dancers, theater artists, designers, and cultural workers to submit proposals for original work responding to this theme — a call to create more art, more truth, more permanence, and more space for Black expression in public life.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
We're seeking powerful original works reflecting on the enduring influence, humanity, and impact of Black artists, musicians, writers, performers, designers, and cultural innovators who have shaped American identity and history.
Selected work will be professionally documented and featured across Destination Crenshaw's website, newsletter, and social media, with opportunities to present at future public programs, community events, and private gatherings.
PROJECT DETAILS
Format: Any medium suitable for professional documentation and presentation — spoken word, music, visual art, design, dance, theater, storytelling, performance, or other creative forms.
Submission Deadline: September 30, 2026 Artist Notification: October 15, 2026 Project Launch: October 2026 Compensation: $1,500–$2,500 one-time commission, based on scope and production needs
WHO SHOULD SUBMIT
- Black artists, storytellers, musicians, dancers, theater artists, designers, performers, and cultural workers, emerging or established
- Artists who live, work, create, or maintain meaningful ties to South LA and Crenshaw's cultural legacy
WHAT TO INCLUDE
- A brief bio and artist statement
- A short description of the proposed work and how it responds to the theme
- Proposed format and presentation/documentation needs
- Up to three examples of previous work (video, audio, images, writing, or portfolio links)
- Website and/or social-media links, if available
IDEAS TO SPARK YOUR PROPOSAL
Examples only. We welcome any original work, in any form, that responds to "We Will Not Be Erased."
Visual Artwork — portrait, painting, drawing, collage, illustration series, mural concept, sculpture, installation
Spoken Art — poem, story, monologue, call-and-response piece, oral history performance
Rap — single, verse, cypher, roll call of artists and neighbors, short set of tracks
Music — original composition, live performance, vocal or instrumental piece, cross-generational collaboration, recording built from oral histories or archival sound
Zine — printed zine, digital zine, oral-history zine, poetry-and-image zine, story archive
Photography — portrait series, documentary essay, then-and-now project, single image with a story
Videography — short film, documentary portrait, film-poem, music video, series of short clips
Dance — solo, duet, group choreography, live performance, dance film, social dance tradition
Theater — short play, staged reading, one-person show, street theater, performance piece
Design — poster series, garment or textile collection, typeface, brand identity, signage concept, digital or interactive piece
Something else — food, sound art, installation, a blend of forms, or anything that doesn't fit a category, with a note on how it responds to the theme
REVIEW PROCESS
Destination Crenshaw's Public Art Team and Curatorial Committee will review each submission for artistic vision, cultural resonance, storytelling, and alignment with the theme, and will contact selected artists with next steps.
We look forward to learning from your work and imagining what we can build together.