CHICAGO — Today, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced 77 “Chicago Arts Recovery Program” grantees, providing $10M in project grant funding to aid local arts organizations still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. This new program, combined with DCASE’s annual “CityArts Program,” providing $6.5M in general operating support (with new grantees to be announced in July), totals $16.5M in direct support to Chicago arts nonprofits in 2023 — the largest in DCASE’s history.  

“Nonprofit arts organizations are essential to the fabric of our city,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “The 2023 Cultural Grants program supports the nonprofits that empower artists and creative workers and ensure their continued recovery from the pandemic. This latest program builds upon our ongoing commitment to revitalize and strengthen the city’s diverse arts community.”  

The new “Chicago Arts Recovery Program” supports marketing and audience development, facilities, technology, planning, and workforce development for nonprofit arts organizations. Supported by federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, this program provides arts organizations with resources to examine and address ongoing challenges brought on or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants awarded range from $50,000 to $235,000 and include participation in learning cohorts. The list of grantees is available at ChicagoCulturalGrants.org. 

“Under Mayor Lightfoot’s leadership, we’ve made unprecedented investments in arts and culture,” said DCASE Commissioner Erin Harkey. “In 2022, a transformational $10 million boost to our Cultural Grants budget means we’ll no longer rely solely on the hotel occupancy tax to fund the arts — and in 2023, we’re making the largest investment in arts nonprofits in DCASE’s history. These grant programs are part of a comprehensive strategy to ensure that Chicago remains an innovative and thriving cultural hub.”  

Additionally, Mayor Lightfoot and DCASE today announced 14 “Chicago Presents Loop Program” grants, totaling $850,000 to support arts programming in Chicago’s downtown. These grantees are also listed at ChicagoCulturalGrants.org. This special initiative is part of a larger $2.2M “Chicago Presents Program” offering support for free, public programs in Chicago’s neighborhoods.  

“These latest investments further signify the City of Chicago’s commitment to the incredible arts and cultural organizations and artists found in all 77 neighborhoods,” said Claire Rice, Executive Director at Arts Alliance Illinois, a “Chicago Arts Recovery Program” grantee. “We thank the Mayor and First Lady for recognizing the civic, social, and economic impact of our $3.2B industry, representing over 85,000 jobs, as we continue to emerge from the pandemic.”  

The full list of 2023 DCASE Cultural Grants Program opportunities, including support for individual artists and event producers, is below:  

• DCASE is currently accepting ideas for the “Neighborhood Access Program” through May 19, 2023 — providing support for all types of community-based arts and culture activities.  
• Additional “Chicago Presents Program” grantees will be announced later this month, and the 2024 cycle will open in the fall.  
• 2023 “Individual Artists Program” grants will be announced later this spring. The next cycle of the program will open in November 2023, providing project-based funding for practicing artists.  
• 2023 grantees of the annual “CityArts Program” providing general operating support to nonprofit arts organizations will be announced in July 2023. The 2024 cycle will open early over the winter.  
• As announced above, the “Chicago Arts Recovery Program” has closed, awarding 77 grants to nonprofit arts organizations in May 2023.  
• To learn more, visit ChicagoCulturalGrants.org.  

Mayor Lightfoot and DCASE are committed to strengthening the capacity of Chicago’s arts and culture sector through connecting artists and arts organizations with City of Chicago grants and resources. Together, these programs provide a range of funding opportunities to bolster artists’ livelihoods as part of Chicago’s thriving arts economy and to bring enriching and impactful arts activities and services throughout Chicago’s communities.   

2022 DCASE Impact Report   

Earlier this year, DCASE released its Impact Report for 2022, which highlights:  

• A transformational $10M increase in the Cultural Grants budget.  
• Grants now awarded in all 50 wards, compared to only 35 wards in 2016.  
• $6M committed for public art in all INVEST South/West neighborhoods.  
• $3.5M for public art projects at O’Hare International Airport.  
• Record-breaking $691M in TV & Film revenue.  
• 130 Festivals & Events, providing $2M in direct support to artists and organizations. 

Visit the digital 2022 DCASE Impact Report.  

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Chicago Recovery Plan   

The Chicago Recovery Plan is the City’s plan to amplify once-in-a-generation federal funding to create an equity-based investment strategy to catalyze a sustainable economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding under the Chicago Recovery Plan, which includes funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) and over $600M in local bond funds, is allocated alongside all other available resources in the City budget to maximize this opportunity over the next 3- to 5-year funding period. The initiatives and strategic priorities that make up the Chicago Recovery Plan were a result of several stages of community engagement and input during the 2022 budget development process.  View the City’s complete Chicago Recovery Plan.  

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events  

The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city — to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the city’s most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city — serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago. For details, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE and stay connected via our newsletters and social media.