Opportunities for Artists and Arts Organizations
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Opportunities |
Special Events Permit Application
DCASE processes Special Events applications for outdoor festivals, street and art/craft fairs and athletic events. Special Event Permits will be issued but are subject to change based on updated health and safety guidelines from either the City of Chicago or State of Illinois. All events must follow guidelines in place at the time of the event. For more information and to apply online, visit our Special Events Permit Application website.
Performing Arts Music, Dance, and Theater Programming Submissions 2024
Are you an artist or arts organization interested in participating in 2024 DCASE Performing Arts Music Festival, Dance, or Theater programming? Due to the volume of responses, applications will be reviewed on a monthly basis. Should an opportunity arise for partnership, you will be contacted directly by a member of the DCASE Performing Arts Programming Team. Artist submissions for 2023 programming are currently closed.
Request For Proposals (RFP) for Technical Assistance and Program Providers
Deadline for Proposals: Wednesday, December 6, 4:59pm CST
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) seeks proposals from qualified entities to provide consultant services. For more information and to download the RFP, visit Chicago.gov/dcase.
Meet an Artist – Mobile Makers Chicago with CAB Youth Council
Chicago Cultural Center’s Learning Lab, 1st Floor South
- December 8
- December 9: Chicago Cultural Center Open House, 1-6pm
- December 22 & 23
This nonprofit organization makes design education accessible to all. Their bright orange renovated mail truck can be spotted around the city encouraging conversation about positive change in the built environment. Join us for design and skill-building workshops. For more information, visit ChicagoCulturalCenter.org.
Share your feedback with us!
Complete the Survey Online
If you are an artist, creative worker or arts administrator – we want to hear from you! DCASE wants to learn more about how to support you as we build out our cultural resource offerings. Are you interested in workshops, trainings, conferences, or virtual resources? Let us know how we can support you.
You can complete a survey and/or join us for an upcoming Community Input Session.
Complete this survey to share information with us about yourself and the types of supports you need. The first 350 individuals that complete the survey will receive a gift card to the Buddy Store!
Attend A Virtual Input Session
DCASE is hosting two upcoming community Input Sessions to help identify professional development needs. We are exploring hosting more events for emerging artists, resource fairs, residencies, workshops and more. Join us and share what would help you and your creative career.
Virtual input session
- Wednesday, December 6, 4:30-5:30pm | register online
If you have any questions about the event, please reach out to CulturalResources@cityofchicago.org.
2024 Individual Artists Program Grants
Application Deadline: Monday, January 15
The 2024 Individual Artists Program (IAP) grant application is now open. IAP aims to assist Chicago's practicing artists in creating work that develops their craft and elevates their careers. IAP grants support artists across all artistic disciplines including Film & Media Arts, Literary Arts, Music, Performing Arts (Theater/Dance), and Visual Arts/Design. Visit ChicagoCulturalGrants.org to sign up for an info session to learn more.
Cultural Community Rental Path
The Cultural Community Rental Path was created to reduce barriers to entry for Chicago's artists and arts organizations to produce free and open to the public events at the Chicago Cultural Center. The process features a reduced room rental rate and waived standard equipment fees (other production and operations costs still apply). For more information, visit ChicagoCulturalCenter.org.
Apply for the Small Business Improvement Fund
The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF), offered by the Department of Planning and Development (DPD), provides grant funding for permanent building improvements and repairs across the city.
SBIF is offered to tenants and owners of industrial and commercial properties. Program participants can receive grants to cover between 30% and 90% of the cost of remodeling work, with a maximum grant of $150,000 for commercial properties and $250,000 for industrial properties. The grant, which is administered by SomerCor on the City’s behalf, does not have to be repaid. To learn about eligibility, attend an information session, and apply, please visit Chicago.gov/SBIF.
November's prioritized geographies are the following TIF districts (the districts change each month):
- Avalon Park/South Shore
- Bryn Mawr/Broadway
- Galewood/Armitage
- Lawrence/Pulaski
- Pilsen Industrial Corridor
P.A.R.T.Y. (Public Art Reimagining Tour with You)
The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) has launched an initiative to develop a Public Art Vision Plan for each INVEST South/West neighborhood. Each plan will outline public art themes, types, and locations unique to each neighborhood, contributing to its revitalization. Join our PARTY mailing list to stay up to date on events and opportunities!
Call for Submissions: “Now Playing...Sights & Sounds” in the Learning Lab
Applications accepted on a rolling basis
The Learning Lab at the Chicago Cultural Center is an interactive studio that offers sights, sounds, and experiences for visitors of all ages and a wide range of abilities. Reinvigorated by design team Made in Englewood.
Organizations and artists from around the world are invited to submit their work to play in the sound dome and projection wall in the Learning Lab. For more information visit: "Now Playing...Sights & Sounds" in the Learning Lab.
City of Chicago Mural Registry
Applications accepted on a rolling basis
DCASE manages the City of Chicago Mural Registry, a publicly-accessible database documenting the growing collection of murals across the city on both private and public property. Artists, organizations and property owners are encouraged to register completed murals by submitting an application. For more information about the registration, application and process, visit Chicago.gov/muralregistry.
Nominate a Neighborhood Cultural Spotlight for 2023
Chicago Cultural Center, Welcome Center, 1st Floor North
Upcoming Spotlight: The Chicago Inclusive Dance Festival
Join for live performances in the Chicago Rooms, 2nd Floor North, 2-3pm
- Friday, December 1: Inclusive Movement Workshop and Q&A with Jamila Kinney
- Saturday, December 2: EveryBody Can Dance inclusive workshop
- Friday, December 15: Chicago Inclusive Dance Festival Lecture demonstration with Maggie Bridger
- Saturday, December 16: Chicago Inclusive Dance Festival Open interactive rehearsal of And Yet We Are Here with Sydney Erlikh and Deb Goodman
Neighborhood Cultural Spotlights feature people, places and things nominated and recognized for a cultural contribution to their neighborhood’s vitality, and celebrates cultural assets in Chicago’s varied and vibrant 77 community areas.
Neighborhood Cultural Spotlights can be given to your local puppeteer, the house on the block with sculptural installations in the yard, the neighborhood culture compiler who sends out a newsletter, or the local arts supporter who your community relies upon, etc.
Know a person, place or thing in your neighborhood that deserves a Neighborhood Cultural Spotlight? Nominate now
Check out the current Neighborhood Cultural Spotlights in the Welcome Center and then nominate your favorite neighborhood cultural asset!
Digital Access for ALL Chicagoans
Chicago families know the importance of quality, affordable internet, computers, and resources to participate in today’s society. For information on no-cost resources for eligible households to ensure they are supported and safe in today’s digital world, visit Chicago.gov.
Culture In My Neighborhood
Announced as part of the Arts77 recovery and reopening plan, Culture In My Neighborhood is a unique partnership between the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), Chicago Park District, and Chicago Public Library to advance Mayor Lightfoot’s vision for equitable access to the arts in all of Chicago’s 77 community areas. This $40 million collaborative initiative supports cultural programming at the Chicago Cultural Center, 18 Chicago Park District neighborhood cultural centers, and the Chicago Public Library regional libraries — through grants and commission opportunities for artists and organizations. Visit the DCASE, Park District, and Library websites to find free arts activities near you. Learn more at CultureInMyNeighborhood.org and join the conversation on social media using #CultureInMyNeighborhood.
Volunteer for DCASE
Applications accepted on a rolling basis
Share your love of Chicago’s culture, history and architecture by volunteering with DCASE. With DCASE you will connect guests (Chicagoans and visitors alike) with some of the city’s cultural treasures, such as Millennium Park, the Chicago Cultural Center, Clarke House Museum and the Taste of Chicago. Volunteers help in a variety of ways: leading tours, providing information, greeting and wayfinding at events and more. Information and application
Call for Corporate Partners
DCASE produces Chicago's largest free festivals including Taste of Chicago, Chicago Blues Festival and Chicago Jazz Festival plus a variety of other festivals and events throughout the year. Our goal is to engage companies, agencies and other partners to add value to the City's events while bringing brands directly to local consumers to increase brand awareness, generate valuable press exposure, drive traffic and sales, and build customer loyalty. To learn more about partnership opportunities, visit ChicagoPartnerships.com or email at chicagopartnerships@cityofchicago.org.
Resources
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City Marketing Assets + Resource Guide
Access a partial list of City of Chicago Marketing Assets available to the local arts industry. This was compiled by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) for its Performing Arts Convening: Marketing and Audience Development, held October 26, 2022. Download the guide (PDF).
Creative Worker Resources
This is a listing of resources available locally and nationally to support creatives, from job boards, to professional advancement programs, to emergency funding.
Navigating Recovery: Arts and Culture Financial and Operating Treads in Chicago
SMU DataArts has partnered with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) to produce this first look at the health of many of the city’s arts and cultural organizations before, during, and emerging from the pandemic. The report examines financial and operating trends among its applicant organizations from 2019 through 2022, and analyzes variations for organizations with different characteristics such as budget size, discipline, and mission focus. A look in the rearview mirror provides context for the underlying challenges that a lot of organizations are facing today. Download the Executive Summary and Full Report.