Artists and curators interested in proposing a project or event to Automata, please fill out and submit this form.

Automata is located in the Chinatown arts district of downtown Los Angeles, CA. Automata presents experimental art and performance that resonates with our mission. We are dedicated to the creation, incubation, and presentation of experimental puppet theater, experimental film and music, installation, and contemporary art practices centered on the intersection of artifice and  performance objects.

To see examples of past work at Automata, please visit our archives.  You can also get a sense of the space and past events in this short slideshow Automata Overview of Programming.  

Critical information for Artists:

Automata is an artist-run non-profit with a great space  and strong artist community. We are very low to the ground.   Much of our programming is generated by Automata’s staff and invited guest curators or artists, many of whom are volunteers.  Often, we are excited to encounter artist proposals that become a part of our overall programming as Automata Events or Residencies. We also have times when the space is available for other independent projects that are in conversation with our mission. 

We welcome proposals for performances, screenings, exhibitions, or other projects that might be one-day projects, or span multiple days.

Please Note: While we would like to be able to support proposals for artist projects with project funding or travel assistance, we are, sadly, not in a position to do so. 

For proposed performances, please note that we have a maximum 45 seat capacity, and a basic PA system that you can use.  We have a streamlined theatrical lighting set up, with a plot that you can use as-is.  If you need the lights adjusted, we will recommend lighting technicians or designers who can work with you at very reasonable rates, as we don’t have in-house technical staff.  Each artist or group of artists does their own load in, set up, strike, and clean-up.

We offer low-cost rentals or split the gate with artists for public ticketed events; the split depends on services needed so we negotiate that with each project.  Automata will run the front of house/box office. 

Rentals are also available for non-public projects, where you might need time and space for recording, filming, new work development, rehearsals, etc. Non-ticketed public events such as exhibitions or installations are also considered, with any budgetary issues for selected work to be negotiated on a case by case basis.

To see a simple floorplan of Automata’s space, click HERE.  We use an analog Elation Light Board; you don’t need to be a professional lighting designer to use it.

Our response time is not immediate. We are a small staff and can only meet monthly to consider proposals.

Please feel free to email us with any questions as you are assembling your proposal.

Thank you!

Automata