With support from the California Arts Council, CONTEMPORARY ART REVIEW LOS ANGELES will prioritize bolstering key operations that sustain the health of the nonprofit organization, which is centrally anchored by Carla magazine, a quarterly publication published in print and online that exists as an active source of critical dialogue on L.A.’s art community, and is available for free in over 170 galleries and art spaces around the city. Beyond production costs, this grant funding will support critical strategic planning which will help our nonprofit work towards the longer-term goals of bringing on additional staff (such as full-time operational support and a membership and development employee), raise compensation to writers and other contributors, and allow us to produce more community events.
The materials in Carla’s archive include published reviews, essays, and podcast episodes that
critically examine exhibitions, practices, and trends within the contemporary art scene. Oral histories
and interviews offer firsthand accounts from L.A.-born or -based artists, curators, and cultural
producers, and written exhibition reviews and topical essays build context around the art being
produced in our city. These materials hold immense value for the local arts community, functioning as
both a historical record and a living resource that underscores the plurality and complexity of
contemporary art in L.A. By prioritizing accessibility, the archive not only ensures that a diverse range of
writers, curators, artists, and artworks are featured in Carla’s coverage, but also that a broad and
diverse audience can access and meaningfully engage with that coverage. Carla’s publishing and programming activities prioritize artwork and critical writing by
individuals from underrecognized backgrounds—including women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and those from
other marginalized communities. We are committed to platforming work that critically investigates the
art world’s racist, patriarchal, and capitalist structures and imagines pathways to dismantle them.
Through careful tracking, we ensure that the writers and artists featured in each issue reflect an array of
identities and voices. We are committed to mentoring and uplifting the work of emerging critics through
an open submission policy and a robust, engaged editorial process.

