​Welcome!

​LADW 2025 saw incredible growth, with 120+ hosts, programming across 15+ neighborhoods, and more than 12,000 attendees exploring Los Angeles through design. The momentum from this past year showed us just how much creativity and community energy exists across the city — and how much people want to engage with it.

Building on that energy, we’re excited to open applications for LADW 2026.

​Thank you for applying, here’s what you need to know.

​WHO THIS APPLICATION IS FOR

​You have a space in Los Angeles that you want to activate for LA Design Weekend — or you have a space you’d like to offer someone else to use. If you are offering your space for free for others to activate, participation is free.

​MORE OPTIONS COMING

​If you want to submit to our Open Call or another group show, stay tuned — this form is only for participants who already have a space to host an event. Please select the free “Apply to group show” option to stay on the list and be notified.

​If you want to host your own event but do not have a space yet, we’ll be launching another form soon. Please select the free “Looking for Space” option to stay on the list and be notified.

​If either situation applies, go ahead and fill out the rest of the form; many questions won’t be relevant to you, but completing them is required to submit.

​HOST GUIDELINES

​ELIGIBILITY

• ​Must be within LADW’s mapped neighborhoods (or within proximity). Applicable neighborhoods are listed below.

• ​Applications outside of geography will be automatically refunded.

• ​LADW reserves the right to accept or deny applications. All denied applications will be refunded.

• ​Hosts must agree to provide a welcoming, safe, accessible, and inclusive space with adequate insurance. 

​EXPECTATIONS

• ​Access to a bathroom (for events larger than open studios)

• ​Drinking water available for guests

• ​LADW signage visibly posted onsite

• ​Carry event and liability insurance

• ​Comply with city/state/federal permits and laws

• ​Lock or secure valuable items

• ​LADW not liable for any claims or damages

• ​Clearly communicate and promote your individual event beginning 6 weeks in advance.

​TIMELINE

​APPLICATIONS

• ​Early Bird Applications Open: December 1, 2025

• ​Early Bird Applications Close: February 28, 2026

• ​Regular Applications Open: March 1, 2026

• ​Regular Applications Close: June 30, 2026

​NOTIFICATIONS + ONBOARDING

• ​Early Bird Notifications Sent: Early March 2026

• ​Early Bird Onboarding: March 2026

• ​Second Round of Onboarding: Mid May 2026

• ​Final Notifications Sent: Early July 2026

• ​Final Onboarding: Mid July 2026

​HOST FEES

​EARLY BIRD (DEC 1 – FEB 28)

• ​Individual Event Hosts: $50

• ​Small Studios / Small Nonprofits (2–9 employees): $100

• ​Nonprofits (10+ employees): $150

• ​For-Profit Orgs (10+ employees): $250

• ​Gallery spaces for others to activate: No fee

​REGULAR (MAR 1 – JUN 30)

• ​Individual Event Hosts: $60

• ​Small Studios / Small Nonprofits (2–9 employees): $120

• ​Nonprofits (10+ employees): $180

• ​For-Profit Orgs (10+ employees): $300

• ​Gallery spaces for others to activate: No fee

​SCHEDULE/APPLICABLE NEIGHBORHOODS
Schedule + times are subject to change and will be finalized summer 2026

​FRIDAY

• ​Downtown/Fashion District/Boyle Heights: 2 PM – 8 PM

• ​Arts District: 7 PM – 11 PM

​SATURDAY

• ​Chinatown: 10 AM - 2 PM

• ​Lincoln Heights: 10 AM - 2 PM

• ​Glassell Park/Highland Park/Eagle Rock: 11 AM - 3 PM

• ​Frogtown: 12 PM - 4 PM

• ​Atwater / Silver Lake: 3 PM - 7 PM

​SUNDAY

• ​Echo Park: 10 AM - 2 PM

• ​Silver Lake: 11 AM - 3 PM

• ​East Hollywood: 12 PM - 4 PM

• ​Los Feliz: 12 PM - 4 PM

• ​Atwater: 1 PM - 5 PM

• ​Cypress Park/Glassell Park/Mt. Washington: 3 PM - 7 PM

​SUGGESTIONS / LEARNINGS

​After hosting LA Design Weekend for a second year, we’ve learned a lot!

​Group shows stole the show
Events with multiple hosts consistently had the highest foot traffic. Collaborative programming creates built-in momentum — visitors stay longer, discover more, and move more naturally through the space.

​Open Studios
To boost visitor flow, we encourage open studios to add at least one of the following:

• ​Additional artists or small group shows

• ​Scheduled guided tours to anchor specific time slots

• ​A hands-on or participatory element (demo, in-progress work, etc.)

​Clear Time Anchors Help Attendance
Hosts who scheduled short, structured moments — sound bath, demo, tour, or activity — saw better turnout than those with a fully open-ended window.

​Proximity Matters — Tell Your Neighbors
Events located near other studios or galleries naturally saw higher foot traffic. When visitors discovered multiple happenings in close proximity, they tended to explore them all — creating a more vibrant experience for every host involved. If you're near other creative spaces, encourage your neighbors to participate so the area becomes a fuller destination.