Santa Monica Announces 2019-2020 Artist Fellowships

SANTA MONICA, CA — Playwright Larissa Fasthorse and writer/performer/director Leilani Chan were both selected to receive the Santa Monica Artist Fellowships for 2019-2020. Three additional artists will receive Project Fellowships: choreographer Melissa Barak, photographer Anthony Friedkin and visual artist Elena Siff, the City of Santa Monica announced this week.

Santa Monica's Artist Fellowship program is among the largest, public-sector individual artist programs in the United States, as one of the City's priority is directly supporting artists, the City press release said.

"It is especially meaningful to receive this grant from my adopted home, Santa Monica," said playwright Larissa Fasthorse. "I am proud to live in a small city that places such importance on art and local artists. I hope their example is seen widely and replicated."

The Artist Fellowship, which is now in its tenth year, has supported the "vital creative output and world-class visions of some of the most talented artists based in Santa Monica and all of California," the City said. The program reinforces Santa Monica's diversity and the community’s love for innovation and the fine arts.

The two artists selected for the Artist Fellowship will receive $20,000, and the three artists selected for the Project Fellowships are awarded $4,200 annually.

"Award amounts are substantial to ensure the program has an impact on artistic productivity given the City’s high cost of living," the press release said.

A panel of five arts professionals recommended the awardees to the City of Santa Monica’s Arts Commission:

• "Double G" Gallegos, Composer/Conductor
• Natalie Marrero, Executive Director of Viver Brasil Dance Company
• Laurel Kishi, Performing Arts Manager - J. Paul Getty Museum
• David Ulin, Author and former LA Times Book Critic
• Tim Dang, former Artistic Director of East West Players

Learn more about the artists here.