LACC Expansion 2026 Public Art RFQ: LA County Artists, $100,000–$1m Commissions, 5 November Deadline

Why the Los Angeles Convention Center is recruiting artists

The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), Public Art Division, is seeking professional artists and artist teams for its 2026 Prequalified Roster connected with the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) Expansion and Modernization Project. Applications for this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) close on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Los Angeles local time.

The major convention venue at 1201 South Figueroa Street is being expanded, including a new exhibition hall and connected public spaces. The city plans permanent public-art opportunities across interior and exterior sites and anticipates awarding up to 20 commissions. Art made specifically for the renovated complex is expected to be completed around spring 2029, subject to project approvals.

Eligibility is local, even though the project has global visibility

This is explicitly for professional artists living and working in Los Angeles County, including professional artist teams whose members all meet the local requirement. City of Los Angeles employees may not apply. Applicants may work in any artistic medium, including installation or technology-based media where they can demonstrate the ability to deliver safe, permanent public art.

Prior experience matters: the city seeks evidence that applicants can oversee design, fabrication and installation on a tight construction schedule, collaborate with architects and curators, and satisfy accessibility, seismic, permitting and maintenance requirements. Simply making digital artworks, without an appropriate permanent-public-art production track record, may not be sufficient for selection.

How the $100,000–$1 million figures should be understood

The city says individual commissioned-project budgets are anticipated to range from US$100,000 to US$1 million, with each site and amount determined at the later Request for Proposals (RFP) stage. These are inclusive project budgets for design, fabrication, installation, insurance, engineering drawings and required permits—not cash awards to everyone who submits the RFQ.

The first selection stage forms a pool of up to 50 prequalified artists or teams. That roster may remain in effect for three years and could be renewed for one further year. At later stages, up to four roster members may be invited to submit proposals for an individual location. Being rostered does not guarantee an RFP invitation, let alone a paid commission.

Application requirements

Apply online through the SlideRoom application linked from DCA's official announcement. A complete submission includes contact information; an artist statement of interest of no more than 4,500 characters; a current CV; and ten media files documenting completed artworks. For artist teams, explain members' roles and provide a group CV alongside individual resumes.

Images should identify work title, year, materials, dimensions and other useful project facts; submitted audio and video samples together may not exceed five minutes. The city encourages artists to register with its Regional Alliance Marketplace for Procurement (RAMP) so they can learn about further opportunities. Registration becomes necessary for artists awarded a city commission during contracting.

Organizer track record and risk checks

The DCA is an official City of Los Angeles agency overseeing public art and cultural programmes, not a privately administered paid-entry competition. The funding is associated with the city's Public Works Improvements Arts Program. The LACC expansion itself is a civic infrastructure project approved by the city and includes permanent public-art opportunities in its design.

Applicants should use the government's announcement, inspect the downloadable RFQ, verify Los Angeles County eligibility for every team member, and understand the real obligations associated with engineering and construction. No artwork sale or guaranteed commission is being offered at the roster stage; the city reserves the right to cancel the call or a roster.

Official source and submission

City of Los Angeles DCA RFQ, specifications and SlideRoom application link: https://culture.lacity.gov/calls/los-angeles-convention-center-lacc-expansion-and-modernization-project-call-for-artists

Application closes 5 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Los Angeles time. Organizer materials checked 18 October 2026.