Chicago offers $1,000 Community Arts Assistance Program grants for individuals and non-profit groups with operating budgets below $150,000 per year. Individual artists may request funding to produce artwork or enroll in educational programs to help them develop their talents. Artists may also use the grant to develop a portfolio or pay exhibition-related expenses. Artists and non-profit organizations can use grant funds to hire professional assistance. Non-profit organizations may also apply for funding to train administrative staff, apply for 501(c)(3) status and document organizational activities.
Eligible individual applicants must be practicing artists at least 21 years old who have lived in Chicago for at least six months and who have a Social Security number. Eligible organizations must have their offices in Chicago, have a valid federal Employer Identification Number and either have or be applying for tax-exempt (501)(c)(3) status.
City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs
78 E. Washington St., Fourth Floor
Chicago, IL 60602
312-744-6630
cityofchicago.org
The Illinois Arts Council offers Individual Artist Professional Development and Project Grants. Artists from Illinois, including those in the visual arts, can use funds from the Individual Artist Support Initiative to achieve their artistic goals and generate new work to share with the public. The Professional Development track awards individual artists $500 to $750 grants for projects and opportunities that will directly affect the artist's professional career, including documenting her artwork and attending retreats and workshops that pertain to her professional development.
Artists may use project track funding for exhibitions, performances and artist residencies. The program makes project track awards in the amounts of $2,000, $3,500 and $5,000. These grants require the recipient to match 25 percent of the grant funds. Applicants must be legal U.S. residents at least 18 years old who have lived in Illinois for 12 months prior to the year of their application.
Illinois Arts Council
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph St., Suite 10-500
Chicago, IL 60601
312-814-6750
arts.illinois.gov
The Chicago Artists' Coalition administers the Art Loop Open art competition in conjunction with the Chicago Loop Alliance. This contest determines the artworks that the coalition will display in Chicago's downtown Loop area during Art Loop Open. Artists win cash prizes and have the opportunity to display their works to the Loop's half-million daily visitors.
The selection process requires Chicago-area artists to submit one artwork, which is pre-screened for display. The coalition then displays pieces that pass the pre-screening to the public at downtown venues including Block 37, the Merchandise Mart and the Hard Rock Cafe. Public voting determines the winners. The contest awards prizes following the voting rounds, including a first prize of $25,000 and over 10 additional prizes and awards.
Chicago Artists' Coalition
2010 W. Pierce Ave., Suite 102
Chicago, IL 60622
773-772-2385
chicagoartistscoalition.org