The fire poppy is a rare wildflower that grows in burn scars.

BRIDGE THE GAPS: Wildfire Relief for L.A. Artists is an initiative supporting artists and arts workers impacted by the devastating wildfires of January 2025 in the Los Angeles area. The initiative is twofold: BtG_FUND, a series of micro-grants, and BtG_NEST, a fully subsidized residency program. 

BtG_FUND is distributing $50,000 in $1,250 micro-grants to impacted artists for coverage of urgent needs including rent, healthcare, childcare, lost income, and replacement of creative materials. These grants were made possible through the generosity of an anonymous donor, with additional contributions from individuals. 

BtG_NEST offered a fully subsidized residency program at the Miles Memorial Playhouse, including creative space, mentorship, technical support, and stipends of $2,500. The residency was made possible in part with support from Art of Recovery, an initiative of the City of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs

BRIDGE THE GAPS was created as a timely response to LAPP’s Are You Okay? outreach survey, which remains the only study centered on artist need. Through surveying 1,372 artists with 191 responses–primary contemporary performance makers–we identified the need for immediate relief and long-term stability. 

BRIDGE THE GAPS received 241 applicants, and Los Angeles Performance Practice will soon have administered 81 micro-grants and 8 residencies—creating a tangible impact in supporting artists impacted by environmental disaster.

BRIDGE THE GAPS applicants revealed the impacts of the wildfires on artists, emphasizing the immense impact this program is able to have in providing relief. Urgent financial pressures appeared alongside creative costs, stressing the importance of all-encompassing relief in wildlife recovery, ensuring that artists are holistically supported. Uneven distributions in displacement and loss were prevalent, highlighting the need for equitable recovery, especially for artists already facing systemic behaviors. BtG was able to address multi-faceted needs, empowering artists to recover and persist in their creative endeavors.

Community Fundraising

Want to support? BRIDGE THE GAPS was made possible thanks to an initial $50,000 grant from one of our generous partners, and we are now actively raising additional community contributions to expand the reach of this critical relief. Your support directly enables us to provide urgent financial assistance to more L.A.-based artists, with an emphasis on artists that larger relief programs might overlook. To donate, give here.

Contact Information for Artists

For questions or assistance related to BRIDGE THE GAPS:

• Email: [email protected]
• (Se ofrece ayuda en español)

We encourage all eligible artists to apply, and for everyone in our network to share this opportunity widely, and contribute toward strengthening and revitalizing L.A.’s vibrant artistic community.

Additional Reading on BRIDGE THE GAPS

Asher Hartman describes his experience creating Blessed with Switch, a work rehearsed and filmed during the BtG_NEST residency, elaborating on his process and procedure of creation in this blog post: BtG_NEST: Asher Hartman

Press release promoting LAPP artists who featured at State of the City: A Celebration of Resilience of Growth on July 17th at the Miles Memorial Playhouse: LAPP Artists Featured at ‘State of the City’ in Santa Monica – July 17

The official BRIDGE THE GAPS announcement, providing an application and additional information regarding the program: LAPP ANNOUNCES BRIDGE THE GAPS: WILDFIRE RELIEF FOR L.A. ARTISTS

A detailed report of the findings from LAPP’s Are You Okay? survey, including visualizations and identification of gaps in artist support: ‘Are You Okay?’ Artist Survey Findings

An announcement for the special edition of FREE ADVICE consultation sessions specifically for fire-impacted artists: Free Advice: Fire Relief Application Support

A post following the announcement of BRIDGE THE GAPS emphasizing the importance of donations in funding the program and ensuring support for artists who need it in the wake of the wildfires: LAPP ANNOUNCES BRIDGE THE GAPS – WILDFIRE RELIEF FOR L.A. ARTISTS

A detailed list of resources available to artists in the immediate aftermath of the wildfires, including resources to donate for those able: EMERGENCY RELIEF RESOURCES FOR PERFORMING ARTISTS

BRIDGE THE GAPS: Wildfire Relief for L.A. Artists is an initiative of Los Angeles Performance Practice. BTG_FUND provides micro-grants to fire-impacted artists and is made possible through the generosity of an anonymous donor with additional support from individual contributors. Donate here. BtG_NEST is a residency program made  possible in part with support from  Art of Recovery, an initiative of the city of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs. This residency offers subsidized creative space, mentorship, and technical support at the Miles Memorial Playhouse.