Cultural Grants

Mission

The mission of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is to enrich Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. To support this overarching mission, the Cultural Grants Program’s goal is simple: to serve as a catalyst to foster a robust, healthy arts community where artists, nonprofit arts and culture organizations and creative industries thrive. DCASE provides more than $1 million annually in direct funding for Chicago’s arts community through its Cultural Grants Program. Designed to reach artists and nonprofit arts organizations across every community in Chicago, grants provide operating funds, as well as support for professional development, the creation of new work, and instructional arts programs. Grants are awarded through a competitive panel review process.

Application Decision Timeline

All applications submitted for the 2013 Individual Artists Program and CityArts are currently in the review process. Due to the high volume of inquires we are receiving, we are unable to return phone calls and e-mails regarding status. All applicants will be notified about grant decisions as soon as the process is complete.

In 2013, the DCASE Cultural Grants Program will provide support to artists and arts organizations through three funding initiatives:

Individual Artists Program

The goal of the DCASE Individual Artists Program is to discover, nurture, and expand Chicago’s individual artists. Through this grant program, DCASE will award $2,000-$4,000 grants to Chicago-based artists over 18 years of age, at all career levels and working across numerous disciplines. Grants will be provided for professional development, teaching opportunities, and creative projects. Click here to learn more about our Individual Artists Program.

CityArts Program

CityArts is a program that encourages the attainment of artistic excellence and financial stability through general operating support for nonprofit arts organizations. Arts organizations with annual adjusted income budgets under $5,000,000 will be eligible to apply and can request a one-year grant. Awards will range from $2,000 to $10,000, based on the organization’s budget size. Click here to determine eligibility and apply for a CityArts Grant.

Cultural Outreach Program

DCASE has historically offered a Cultural Outreach Program (COP) through the Chicago Community Development Block Grant program. COP has funded high quality instructional arts programming in low to moderate income communities. The 2013 application deadline for COP has already passed and grant decisions have been made. If you are a 2013 COP Grantee, please, click here. If you are inquiring about the 2014 COP Program, the DCASE Cultural Grants Team is currently engaged in a strategic planning that includes restructuring our grant programs. At this time, we are not yet ready to announce any of our 2014 Cultural Grants Programs; we will announce opportunities to apply for our updated grants programs this fall.   

Application Assistance Workshop

The 2013 Application Assistance Workshops have already taken place. We will announce the next round of workshops this fall.