Call for Media Artists/Storytellers<br> the Story Cycle: A Glorious Offering

The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) is seeking three (3) media artists to create three (3) short documentary films about veteran service organizations. This commission is part of The Story Cycle, a series that honors community voices through storytelling. The third installment, A Glorious Offering, focuses on the vital work of organizations serving veterans and their families. We are seeking media artists with demonstrated experience in conducting sensitive interviews and handling confidential or personal subject matter with care and professionalism. Selected artists will receive a list of designated veteran service organizations to interview, along with research and administrative support to schedule appointments and access organizational archives. Selected artists will conduct interviews, film on location, and edit compelling pieces that showcase how these organizations support veterans, their families, and communities through social services and arts programming. Veteran service organizations play a vital role in supporting those who have served our country. These organizations provide essential resources, from mental health services and job training to housing assistance and community connection, helping veterans and their families navigate the challenges of post-military life. Their work strengthens not only individual veterans but entire communities. The project will culminate in a community event  featuring filmmakers, public discussions,performances, informational resources, and interactive installations presented by the veteran service organizations and arts groups featured in the documentary films. PROJECT TIMELINE Call Issued Friday, February 20, 2026 Deadline for Submissions Wednesday, March 11, 2026 Selection of Artist Awarded Wednesday, March 13, 2026 Artist Meetings: March and April TBD Festival Dates: May 15 and May 16, 2026 APPLICATION GUIDELINES FUNDING AND PAYMENT CONDITIONS: The City of Los Angeles does not front-fund projects. Each commission will be paid in full upon completion of the project and after all contractual requirements have been met. Please note that this may take six (6) to nine (9) months to complete. Applicants receiving 2025/2026 grants from DCA’s Grants Division are not eligible for commissions. The winning individual or organization receiving a commission payment must submit a copy of their Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC) as part of the application process. For more information visit https://finance.lacity.gov/tax-education/new-business-registration/how-register-btrc . Please forward questions to dca-taxcotheatre@lacity.org , or call 213.526.6936. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS Submission requirements and scoring below. To be considered, interested artists, community, and/or arts organizations must submit the following by the application deadline stated in the call. Cover Letter (10 points) Introduce yourself and your interest in the project. Include the following. Name of Applicant (as it appears on your tax returns): Pronouns of Applicant Telephone Number Email Address Full Mailing Address Website /Social Media Proposal (15 points) Describe your artistic process and your approach to interviewing. Include a budget outlining how you will use the commission funds. Short Bio (5 points) Provide a brief biography including your background, accomplishments, and artistic statement. Resume (10 points) Submit a resume highlighting your relevant experience. Work Samples (10 points) Provide links to photos, fliers /video/ film samples that demonstrate your relevant work. Social Media and Press (5 points) Include links to social media, reviews, press coverage, or testimonials from previous projects. The maximum number of points a submission can receive is 55. Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC) The selected artist or organization receiving the commission must register and submit a copy of their BTRC for payment. Selection Criteria and Process DCA|PERF will review submitted proposals for completeness and qualifications. Selection for a contract award will be made based on meeting the following criteria: • Responsiveness to the specifics of this call; • Expertise and experience of Artists; • Creativity and innovation of past work history. DCA|PERF also encourages the submission of proposals from underserved and/or underrepresented artists or firms owned by minorities,women, immigrants, and veterans. DCA|PERF does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, national origin,disability, or veteran status in consideration of these commissions. The City of Los Angeles is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Fine Print The following terms and conditions apply to all responses to this call: 1. DCA|PERF reserves the right to reject any and all proposals submitted; to select one or more responding parties; to void this call and the review process and/or terminate negotiations at any time; to select separate responding parties for various components of the scope of services; to select a final/parties from among the proposals received in response to this call. Additionally, any project elements, requirements, and schedules are subject to change and modification. DCA|PERF also reserves the unqualified right to modify, suspend, or terminate at its sole discretion any aspects of this selection process, to obtain further information from any responding parties, and to waive any defects as to the form or content of this call or any responses by any party; 2. This call does not commit DCA|PERF to award a contract, to defray any costs incurred in the preparation of a response, or to contract for any services. All submitted responses become the property of DCA|PERF as public records. All proposals may be subject to public review, upon request, unless exempted as discussed elsewhere in this call; 3. By accepting this call and/or submitting a proposal in response thereto, each responding party agrees for itself, its successors, and assigns, to hold DCA|PERF and its affiliated entities, the City of Los Angeles, and all of their various agents, commissioners, directors, consultants, attorneys, officers and employees harmless from and against any claims and demands of whatever nature or type, which any such responding company, its representatives, agents, contractors, successors or assigns may have against any of them as a result of issuing or revising this call, conducting the selection process and subsequent negotiations, making a final recommendation, selecting a responding party/parties or negotiating or executing an agreement incorporating the commitments of the selected responding party; 4. By submitting responses, each responding party acknowledges having read this Fine Print in its entirety and agrees to all terms and conditions set therein; 5. Responses shall be open and valid for a period of three (3) weeks from the due date. PROJECT TIMELINE Call Issued Friday, February 20, 2026 Deadline for Submissions Wednesday, March 11, 2026 Selection of Artist Awarded Wednesday, March 13, 2026 Artist Meetings: March and April TBD Festival Dates: May 15 and May 16, 2026 SUBMISSION SUBMITTAL A complete application consists of answering all the application questions and submitting the required documentation by Wednesday, March 11, 2026, to dca-taxcotheatre@lacity.org , 11:59 p.m. The subject line should read: The Story Cycle Application.