Let Art & Culture Transform Los Angeles Let Art & Culture Transform Los Angeles

In the Paint is an organizational initiative that recognizes, supports, and uplifts artists of color in Los Angeles.

The Lakers have been synonymous with the culture of Los Angeles since Dr. Jerry Buss bought the team in 1979. This culture has flourished for nearly 50 years and extends past pure entertainment but has roots in the arts as well.

In its third year, In the Paint strives to change the trajectory of a cohort of LA-based BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) artists’ careers through both in-kind funding and long-term programming supporting a creator economy.

The beauty of the city is the different stories that emerge from every neighborhood around this sprawling metropolis. As their home, the Lakers are honored to provide a platform to share these stories.

In the Paint is an organizational initiative that recognizes, supports, and uplifts artists of color in Los Angeles.

The Lakers have been synonymous with the culture of Los Angeles since Dr. Jerry Buss bought the team in 1979. This culture has flourished for nearly 50 years and extends past pure entertainment but has roots in the arts as well.

In its third year, In the Paint strives to change the trajectory of a cohort of L.A.-based BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) artists’ careers through both in-kind funding and long-term programming supporting a creator economy.

The beauty of the city is the different stories that emerge from every neighborhood around this sprawling metropolis. As their home, the Lakers are honored to provide a platform to share these stories.

In The Paint - Onsale CatalogIn The Paint - Onsale Catalog

Lakers fans and art collectors can purchase select works from the 2023-24 In the Paint Contributing Artists. Net proceeds from the artwork benefit the artists and the Lakers Youth Foundation.
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14 In the Paint Contributing Artists

This year, 14 LA artists have been chosen by a selection committee as Contributing Artists.

This group will sell their work on a digital marketplace in collaboration with the Lakers and receive promotion on the team’s social channels. The net proceeds will benefit the artists directly, the Lakers Youth Foundation, and support the growth and development of future In the Paint initiatives.

The Lakers will also purchase three pieces of work, chosen by the players and staff, to be displayed at the Lakers UCLA Health and Training Facility.

Lastly, Contributing Artists will receive additional exposure by displaying their art at the 2024 In the Paint Exhibition at the training facility with players, leadership, and buyers in attendance.


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10 In the Paint Grantees

To also expand artistic opportunities for up-and-coming BIPOC artists, the selection committee has chosen 10 Grantees who will receive a $10,000 grant on behalf of the Lakers Youth Foundation. This contribution will elevate their artistic endeavors, provide tools to further their talent, and a greater means to increase their exposure.


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The Crossover

Year three of In the Paint will explore the idea of Crossover. In the spirit of exploring the rich cultural landscape of Los Angeles, artists are empowered to create works of art that celebrate LA’s vibrant, individual communities, as well as the collective efforts made to enhance the city. The finished pieces will illustrate how Angelenos honor their diverse communities.

14 In the Paint Contributing Artists

This year, 14 LA artists have been chosen by a selection committee as Contributing Artists.

This group will sell their work on a digital marketplace in collaboration with the Lakers and receive promotion on the team’s social channels. The net proceeds will benefit the artists directly, the Lakers Youth Foundation, and support the growth and development of future In the Paint initiatives.

The Lakers will also purchase three pieces of work, chosen by the players and staff, to be displayed at the Lakers UCLA Health and Training Facility.

Lastly, Contributing Artists will receive additional exposure by displaying their art at the 2024 In the Paint Exhibition at the training facility with players, leadership, and buyers in attendance.


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10 In the Paint Grantees

To also expand artistic opportunities for up-and-coming BIPOC artists, the selection committee has chosen 10 Grantees who will receive a $10,000 grant on behalf of the Lakers Youth Foundation. This contribution will elevate their artistic endeavors, provide tools to further their talent, and a greater means to increase their exposure.


The Crossover

Year three of In the Paint will explore the idea of Crossover. In the spirit of exploring the rich cultural landscape of Los Angeles, artists are empowered to create works of art that celebrate LA’s vibrant, individual communities, as well as the collective efforts made to enhance the city. The finished pieces will illustrate how Angelenos honor their diverse communities.

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Band of Vices

Prospering in the West Adams Arts District of Los Angeles since 2015, Band of Vices will be collaborating with the Lakers by continuing to strengthen the Lakers’ In the Paint program through a highly curated exhibition program.

Together, Band of Vices and the Lakers are committed to recognizing prolific creative communities who have been historically overlooked.


Learn More about BOV

“I believe art is important because it’s communication. For me, painting and using a brush, every stroke is a word, it’s a story, it’s a visual manifestation of what’s inside. It’s a way to tell my story and speak my own personal language, and I think art is pretty universal in that way.”

— Michon Sanders

Artist Overview

Open call for local BIPOC artist submissions

The In the Paint Selection Committee selects 14 artists as Contributing Artists and 10 artists as Grantees

14 Contributing Artists create original artwork to be displayed on a digital marketplace for purchase and shown at the 2024 In the Paint art exhibition at the UCLA Health Training Center

Lakers players and staff choose up to 3 works of art for the Lakers to purchase and display at the UCLA Health Training Center

Selection Committee

“For artists, the best thing is being able to have our art shown to the widest variety of people. It’s what we create for. It’s what I create for. I create for the largest amount of people to see my work and learn about my culture through my artwork.”

— Penda Diakite

Frequently Asked Questions

Contributing Artist:
Yes. Submitted work must be two-dimensional material and medium (e.g., painting or drawing), preferably acrylic, oil, pastel, graphic pencil, or watercolor.

Grantee:
Yes. Submitted work must be two-dimensional material and medium (e.g., painting or drawing), preferably acrylic, oil, pastel, graphic pencil, or watercolor.

Contributing Artist:
Your submission must consist of digital images of 3 of your original works, with each digital image being less than 8 MB. Each original work depicted in the digital images that you submit must meet the following dimensions: 18”x24” - 60”x40”, no deeper than 6”, and may not be heavier than 30 lbs.

Grantee:
Your submission must consist of digital images of 3 of your original works, with each digital image being less than 8 MB. Each original work depicted in the digital images that you submit must meet the following dimensions: 18”x24” - 60”x40”, no deeper than 6”, and may not be heavier than 30 lbs.

Only legal residents of one of the California counties of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura, Kern, Orange or Riverside are eligible for these competitions.

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color

Contributing Artist and Grantee winners will be notified on or around September 15, 2023

Yes, you can enter each contest one time. However, you can only be selected as a winner of one of the contests. Also, you cannot enter the Grantees contest if you have previously been selected as a Contributing Artist winner of any prior In the Paint art contests.

Contributing Artist:
Must be at least 21 years old at the time of submission

Grantee:
Must be at least 21 years old at the time of submission

Contributing Artist:
No. Include your best 3 works of art.

Grantee:
No. Include your best 3 works of art.

Contributing Artist:
Each Contributing Artist winner will have the opportunity to submit up to four (4) new original works of art to be exhibited at one or more 2023-2024 In the Paint art exhibitions and/or on a digital marketplace featuring In the Paint artists. Band of Vices and the Selection Panel will work with you to determine which of your works are best suited for the exhibitions and/or digital marketplace.

Grantee:
N/A

Contributing Artists:
No. All submissions must come directly from the artist.

Grantees:
No. All submissions must come directly from the artist.

Contributing Artist:
No. It is our pleasure to have the opportunity to view the works of our local artistic talent!

Grantee:
No. It is our pleasure to have the opportunity to view the works of our local artistic talent!