Long Beach Announces Imagine28 Grant Program to Support Arts Community Engagement Leading Up to the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games
The Californer/10361628

Above from left: The first Long Beach Film Festival, funded by an Imagine 28 Neighborhood Grant, kicks off at the Art Theatre on Aug. 29, 2026; StoryLab at Long Beach Film Festival on Aug. 30, 2026.

Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach is announcing Imagine28, a new grant program designed to support arts-related community engagement opportunities ahead of the LA28 Olympics and ParalympicGames. The grant program supports cultural programming, public art and community-based activations that position Long Beach for the worldwide stage during the 2028 Games.

"We have an incredible opportunity to showcase the creativity, cultural diversity and stories that make our city unique," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "Through Imagine28, we're investing in local artists, uplifting our neighborhoods and creating opportunities for residents to connect through arts and culture. These projects will help ensure the excitement of the Games is felt throughout our community and that Long Beach's creative spirit is part of the legacy we share with the world."

In partnership with the Arts Council for LB, theImagine28 grant program is intended to strengthen community identity, environmental awareness, creative expression and cultural inclusion as Long Beach prepares for the 2028 Games. Imagine28 is funded through the City's Percent for Arts Program, which supports public art and local arts groups using a percentage of costs on all capital construction projects that come from the General Fund and other eligible funding sources.The City's Department of Library, Arts and Culture will continue to set aside a portion of Percent for Arts to support Imagine28 grants through 2028.

The Arts Council for LB is administering three grant categories aligned with citywide cultural goals: Public Art Projects, Neighborhood Grants, and Measure B and Operating Grants. Funding levels were established in FY25 when the Percent for Arts allocation was determined, which includes $10,000 for Public Art Projects, $12,500 for Neighborhood Grants, and $20,000 for Operating/Measure B grants, projects that reflect Long Beach's identity, history and culture. A total of $135,000 was awarded by the City to support initiatives that elevate storytelling, environmental stewardship, cultural heritage and community engagement.

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Applications for this first grant cycle took place this past summer. Following a panel selection process, the organizations listed below were selected for each of the three categories. Projects began this fall, with opportunities for community members to participate in select projects. More information about these projects and their upcoming community activations is available at artslb.org/imagine28.

Public Arts Projects – $50,000 total

Five projects were funded, each contributing to Long Beach's cultural narrative and 2028 Gamesperiod activation:

• Anthony Puente – "Before the Flame" (Film): Documentary highlighting LB's cultural communities; to premiere during the Olympic period.  
• Nancy Lynée Woo – "Long Beach Lit Tour" (Literary): Citywide literary tour with popup programming at cultural venues.
  
• Jazlynn Pastor – "pinaypages" (Cultural Dance/Community): Intergenerational Philippine arts and wellness workshops.
  
• Sonja Schenk – "Blue Wave" (Sculpture): Communitybuilt sculpture using recycled plastic incorporated into public art.
  
• Christina Elaine Vasquez – "The Long Beach Underground" (DIY/Community): Allages arts event celebrating LB's DIY creative culture.  

Operating/Measure B organizations – $60,000 total

Four organizations received support for year-round cultural programming:

• AACCLB – "LBC Legacy: Black Excellence on the World Stage": Large‑scale mural and window installations honoring African American contributions.
• Art Theatre of Long Beach – "THROUGH THE LENS: Long Beach on the Road to 2028": Multi‑year documentary capturing local 2028 Games preparation.  
• Able ARTS Work – "Zine Fair": Inclusive community event showcasing zinemaking and artistic collaboration.  
• Long Beach Opera – "Acquaprofonda (Deep Water)": Children's opera addressing ocean conservation, performed at Aquarium of the Pacific.  

Neighborhood Grants– $25,000 total

Two communitycentered activations were funded:

• Long Beach Film Festival – "Imagine Long Beach on Screen": Year‑round film programming and youth storytelling opportunities.
• Bixby Knolls Community Foundation – "Salsa y Sabor": Free cultural festival during Hispanic Heritage Month hosted at Rancho Los Cerritos.

Another application cycle will open in summer 2027, with more details to follow.

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To stay up to date with City of Long Beach's preparations for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, visit longbeach.gov/2028games. The webpage currently features an interactive venue map with details about sporting events in Long Beach, a sign up form to stay connected, and community FAQs available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog, among other details. As opportunities become available, the page will also highlight upcoming community meetings, volunteer roles and other ways to get involved.

Hosted by the City of Los Angeles, the 2028 Games will take place July 14 through Aug. 27, 2028. More information is available at LA28.org.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaininga strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.

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