Call for Teen Musicians 2026 Sips & Sounds: Coffee House Music MeetUp in Canoga ParkCity of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs Performing Arts Division

2026 Sips & Sounds: Coffee House Music MeetUp in Canoga Park Issued by the Performing Arts Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs for the City of Los Angeles (“DCA|PERF”). I. Introduction The Department of Cultural Affairs for the City of Los Angeles (“DCA”) seeks to enter into a non-exclusive, project-based agreement with five (5) teen musicians who write, create, and/or arrange their own original music to perform at a local coffee house in Canoga Park.  Musician can apply for a fifteen (15) minute, thirty (30) minute, or forty-five (45) minute set. II. The Division DCA|PERF serves as the heart of the City’s support of live dance, music, theater, and digital media platforms, offering Angelenos low-cost rental opportunities at six professional, DCA-managed, performing arts centers and two public/private partnership theaters.  At the core of its mission, DCA|PERF also produces world-class programming locally, providing catalysts for economic development, community engagement, and civic education and pride. When producing its programming, DCA|PERF uses independent, peer-review panels to select artists who respond to calls, and who create and present programming across the City. DCA|PERF’s community-focused programming shapes attitudes, counters cultural stereotypes, and inspires creativity. Both DCA|PERF’s programming and rentals at its performing arts centers play an essential role in stabilizing LA’s artistic ecosystem and nurturing the revitalization of our City’s creative communities. III. The Program Sips & Sounds: Coffee House MeetUp Department of Cultural Affairs, Performing Arts Division DCA|PERF launched its Sips & Sounds: Coffee House MeetUp initiative for teen musicians last year in North Hollywood.  It was developed to support the artistic growth and professional development of emerging young musicians. The program provides a structured yet welcoming performance platform in a coffee house–style setting, enabling teen artists to present original musical works or original arrangements of existing compositions to a live audience. By convening youth performers and community members, the program fosters creative exchange, peer connection, and public engagement with youth-generated art. The initiative is open to five (5) musicians between the ages of 13 and 19 and is offered at no cost to participants. Through a competitive selection process, awardees are chosen to perform at a Coffee House Music MeetUp to be held in Canoga Park on a designated date in May 2026. Selected performers will each receive a $100 monetary award in recognition of their participation and artistic contribution. Participation in Sips & Sounds supports key developmental outcomes for teen musicians, including the acquisition of live performance experience, the cultivation of artistic identity, and the enhancement of confidence and stage presence within a casual and supportive environment. The program further promotes peer networking and collaboration among young artists and provides participants with credentials and experience that may strengthen résumés, portfolios, and future educational or career pathways in the arts. As a City-supported initiative, the program also introduces participants to the broader civic and cultural infrastructure that sustains public arts programming. IV. The Scope of Services Sips & Sounds: Coffee House Music MeetUp in Canoga Park The Department of Cultural Affairs Performing Arts Division (DCA|PERF) is seeking five (5) teen musicians who write, create, and/or arrange their own original music to perform at a local coffee house in Canoga Park on a designated date in May, 2026. Successful applicants will connect with like-minded peers through the Sips & Sounds: Coffee House Music MeetUp program. This immersive project brings together teen singer-songwriters, live performance, and interactive experiences. Through music in a cozy coffee house setting, Sips & Sounds encourages audiences to experience familiar spaces in a fresh, engaging way. A commissioned artist will oversee their performance in the project, including preparing the song list, providing instruments, promoting the event, and performing. The awarded teen musicians are responsible for the following (including, but not limited to): Provide a BTRC (City of LA Business Tax Registration Certificate) by March 30, 2026.  This requires an online registration process, if applicant does not already have one. Submit a Promotional Photo , preferably with the artist and their instrument, and a Bio (100 words or fewer) by March 30, 2026 Submit relevant payment documentation —including a W-9, electronic payment paperwork, Waiver & Indemnity Form, Scope of Work Invoice, and any other required paperwork by April 5, 2026. Identify and communicate through email a final play list and the specific amount of time needed for the set. This should include the name of the song, any composers or contributors, and the length of the song for each one on the performance play list by April 30,2026 Obtain any necessary permissions for songs not written by the awardee.  This is only applicable if teen musician uses existing songs in a new arrangement.  Obtaining these permissions, if necessary, is the responsibility of the awardee and do no need to be submitted to DCA representative. Ensure music being presented is appropriate for audience members of all ages. Please refrain from using curse words or graphic content. Rehearse and prepare for a public audience . Promote the event and involvement in it to the public, through social media, flyer distribution, and community outreach. Work collaboratively with Madrid Theatre staff and technical crew to define staging needs, including layout of instruments for performance and possible sound needs. Arrive on time for all sound check and performance times. Perform at a designated coffee house, TBD, in Canoga Park on a designated date, TBD, in May, 2026. Introduce self and songs to the audience during the performance. Artist must be able to meet deadlines, collaborate with city staff and local partners, and participate in safe, inclusive, and culturally resonant public events. V. Fees For the completion of the above services DCA|PERF will pay the all-inclusive commission listed below. 2026 Sips & Sounds: Coffee House Music MeetUp in Canoga Park ($100) A casual performance moment where teen musicians share their own songs, perform live, and connect with fellow creatives in Canoga Park. The City of Los Angeles does not front-fund projects. Payments will be made when the Artist meets deliverable benchmarks. The final payment will be made after the completion of the project, the Curator meets all necessary criteria, and may take up to four (4) months to be fully disbursed. VI. Application Process Recipients of 2025-2026 Grants from DCA are not eligible to respond to this call. Only one application may be submitted per teen musician. Proposals must include a description of the style of music to be created and the instrument(s) used. All performance styles are welcome. Video samples such as B-roll and/or still photographs from previous, similar gigs may be attached to submitted proposals. A complete application consists of answering all the questions below and submitting the required documentation to dca-madridtheatre@lacity.org by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 . The subject line should read Sips & Sounds. Response proposals must include the following [Rating value]: Contact information for the artist; A 100-word description of the proposed style of music and instrument(s) provided to the audience for the performance; [20 points] Specify if application is for a fifteen (15) minute, thirty (30) minute, or forty-five (45) minute set; A 100-word introduction to the artist/musician: experience, interests, and future goals in music; [15 points] Examples of relevant past projects and examples of prior work and pertinent materials in digital formats or web links. [15 points] The highest total score that can be reached by peer-panel review is 50 points. VII. 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 in music; • Creativity and innovation of past work history. DCA|PERF is seeking teen musicians with a history of providing authentic and original work within the City of Los Angeles whenever possible. DCA|PERF also encourages the submission of proposals from underserved and/or underrepresented artists such as, 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. VIII. 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. IX.  Schedule Call Issued Wednesday, February 11, 2026 Deadline for Submissions Wednesday, March 4, 2026 Selection of Artist / Contract Awarded Monday, March 23, 2026 Mandatory virtual meeting Tuesday, March 31, 2026 @ 4:00 p.m. Term of Contract Begins Monday, May 1, 2026 Term of Contract Ends Friday, May 31, 2026 Proposals must be received no later than 11:59pm on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 . DCA|PERF is not obligated to consider proposals received after this date and time.