CREATIVE OPPORTUNITY:

In response to the federal government’s 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.

At Destination Crenshaw, we believe that investing in artists is investing in community. Our vision is to preserve, anchor, and uplift South LA’s Black culture and creative community while celebrating Crenshaw as the Heart of Black LA.

We invite Black artists, spoken-word artists, storytellers, musicians, designers, and cultural workers to submit proposals for original work responding to the theme We Will Not Be Erased. This is a call to create more art, more truth, more permanence, and more space for Black expression in our public life.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY:

We are seeking powerful, engaging original works that reflect on the enduring influence, humanity, imagination, and impact of Black artists, musicians, writers, performers, designers, and cultural innovators whose contributions have shaped American identity, culture, and history.

Selected work will be professionally documented and featured across Destination Crenshaw’s digital platforms, including our website, newsletter and social-media channels. Selected artists may also have opportunities to present their work at future Destination Crenshaw public programs, community events, and private gatherings.

This opportunity is part of our ongoing commitment to South LA’s creative economy and commitment to ensure that local artists play a meaningful role in shaping the cultural conversations, public spaces, and shared memory that honor Black history, creativity, and possibility.

PROJECT DETAILS:

Project Type: Multidisciplinary Creative Expression

Project Description: Creation of an original work responding to the theme “We Will Not Be Erased.” In direct response to the federal removal and proposed sale of Kehinde Wiley’s painting from the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic, this open call invites Black artists, spoken-word artists, storytellers, musicians, designers, and cultural workers to create work that affirms the permanence, power, humanity, imagination, and enduring influence of Black art and culture.

Format: Original work suitable for professional documentation and presentation across digital and live settings. Proposed formats may include spoken word, music, visual art, design, storytelling, performance, or other creative forms.

Presentation & Distribution: Selected work will be professionally documented and featured on Destination Crenshaw’s website and social media platforms, with opportunities for presentation at future Destination Crenshaw public programs, community events, and private gatherings.

Submission Deadline: September 30, 2026

Artist Notification: October 15, 2026

Documentation / Presentation Date: To be coordinated with selected artist

Project Launch: October 2026

Compensation: Selected artists will receive a one-time commission of $1,500–$2,500, based on the scope, format, and production requirements of the proposed work.

Please submit today. We encourage submissions from:

• Black artists, spoken-word artists, poets, storytellers, musicians, designers, performers, and cultural workers
• Emerging and established creatives
• Artists who live, work, create, or maintain meaningful ties to South Los Angeles
• Creatives connected to the Crenshaw community and its cultural legacy
• Artists whose work affirms Black history, humanity, imagination, permanence, and creative expression
• Individuals committed to cultural storytelling, community engagement, and strengthening South LA’s creative economy

Please include:

• A brief bio and artist statement
• A short description of the proposed work and how it responds to the theme “We Will Not Be Erased”
• Proposed format and anticipated presentation or documentation needs
• Up to three examples of previous work, such as video, audio, images, writing samples, or portfolio links
• Relevant links to your website and/or social-media platforms, if available

Review Process

Destination Crenshaw’s Public Art Team and Curatorial Committee will thoughtfully review each submission for artistic vision, cultural resonance, storytelling, and alignment with the theme “We Will Not Be Erased.” We honor the care, imagination, and lived experience artists bring to this work, and will contact selected artists with next steps.

The Destination Crenshaw Commitment

Destination Crenshaw is committed to creating meaningful opportunities for local artists, cultural workers, and creative entrepreneurs. We recognize that artists are essential to preserving culture, strengthening community, expanding possibility, and building economic opportunity throughout South Los Angeles.

We look forward to learning from your work and imagining what we can build together.