LAUNCH’s core programs are designed to create meaningful, accessible opportunities for artists and audiences to connect, reflecting our mission to strengthen community through shared creative experience.
At our La Brea Avenue gallery, we present 10–12 exhibitions annually, (generally 2-4 artists each) focused primarily on emerging and early-career artists. These exhibitions are supported by an open proposal policy and a rotating guest curator program, expanding who has a voice in shaping what is presented and ensuring a broad range of perspectives. Our annual open call offers one artist a fully realized exhibition in the following year—an opportunity that provides critical visibility, professional development, and career momentum, often with impact that extends far beyond a cash award. We complement exhibitions with artist talks, portfolio reviews, and informal networking opportunities that help artists build relationships with curators, peers, and audiences. These moments of exchange are essential to sustaining creative practice and fostering long-term growth. Beyond the gallery, LAUNCH produces pop-up exhibitions and collaborative events across Los Angeles County, bringing arts programming into different neighborhoods and reaching audiences who may not typically engage with traditional arts spaces.
TARFEST, our annual free music and arts festival, extends this work on a larger scale. Featuring local musicians, visual artists, cultural partners, and family-friendly artmaking activities, TARFEST creates an open, welcoming environment where thousands of Angelenos can experience live art together. It reflects our commitment to keeping the arts accessible, relevant, and rooted in community.
Together, these programs support artists at pivotal stages in their careers while offering the public opportunities to engage with work that is immediate, diverse, and reflective of life in Los Angeles.