CityArts Program Grant

CityArts Program for Nonprofit Organizations

The goal of the DCASE CityArts program is to encourage the attainment of artistic excellence and financial stability through general operating support for 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organizations. Through this program, DCASE provides one-year general operating support grants to arts organization with vibrant artistic or cultural programming. General operating support funds may be used for artistic, administrative and/or program activities including expenses such as salaries, marketing, insurance, supplies, professional services, fees and training. All grants are one-year grants.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet each of the following criteria. Applicants must:

• Be a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) application incorporated in the State of Illinois for at least 12 months prior to applying (must have been incorporated as of March 3, 2013).

•  Be a resident company in the city of Chicago with a valid street address (P.O. boxes will not be accepted).

• Primarily serve the residents of the city of Chicago (able to demonstrate that at least half or 51% of programming occurs within the city of Chicago limits).

• Have had an annual adjusted income budget under $5,000,000 during the last fiscal  year.

• Have a primarily mission to create, produce, present, provide, or support arts and culture services for the public.

• Be planning programing/activities available to the public during the 2014 calendar year.

• Work in one of the following disciplines: Dance, Literature, Media, Music, Museums, Theater, Visual Arts, Architecture, Film, Interdisciplinary, OR serve as an arts service organization.

Application Opens: Friday, January 24 at 12:01 am

Application Deadline: Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at 5 pm

Grant Request Amount: Grant awards range from $2,000 to $10,000 and are based on your organization’s annual budget. Please note that we will not provide a grant that is greater than 10% of your annual operating budget from the most recently completed fiscal year.

Click here if you are a 2013 CityArts Grant recipient.

Application Assistance Workshops

Prior to the opening of the 2014 CityArts grant application period, the DCASE Cultural Grants Team will offer five workshops for potential applicants. Workshops will review updates to grant guidelines and review criteria, and provide tips and guidance to help applicants to prepare the strongest, most competitive applications possible. All applicants, regardless of having previously applied for or received a DCASE Cultural Grant, are encouraged to attend. The schedule is as follows:

Please note a few workshop dates have changed and are listed below in red.

• Wednesday, January 15, 12 pm – 2 pm: 1st floor Garland Room
• Wednesday, January 15, 5 pm – 7 pm: 1st floor Garland Room
• Thursday, January 16, 10 am – 12 pm: 1st floor Garland Room·        
• Thursday, January 16, 2 pm – 4 pm: 1st floor Garland Room
• Wednesday, January 22, 1 pm – 3 pm: 1st floor Garland Room

***Note that all workshops will take place at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street.

Register to attend