Bustling Spaces: Grants galore + a reintroduction

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES | VOLUME 57| February 19, 2026

Allow us to reintroduce ourselves!

We’ve been enjoying getting to know our Bustling community, both online at events like Grant Club, or offline at various programs in our neighborhoods and around the city. We’re grateful to those who’ve been spreading the word about the work that we do, and we know some of you may be less familiar with our programs, so we’d like to introduce ourselves to those who might be new to our networks.

Bustling Spaces, LLC supports artists, community groups, and creative businesses in historically disinvested communities to manifest their visions, access new resources, and tell their stories. The talented specialists on our team hone in on clients’ challenges and provide tailored support through strategic consulting, grant writing and fundraising, project and programming support, and more.

Head over to our about page to hear from our Founder, listen to our Artist Statement, and learn more about our amazing team.

✨ Curious about how we can support your work? Let’s connect.

Funder: The Chicago Fund for Safe and Peaceful Communitites
Grant Program: 2026 Safe and Peaceful Communities Grant
Max Award/Opportunity: $10,000
Application Closes: March 2, 2026
Funding Area: Community Placemaking

Recognizing the potential for a spike in violence in Chicago during the summer months, the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities will once again administer the Chicago Fund for Safe and Peaceful Communities to support activities by nonprofit organizations that build community cohesion, provide safe spaces, and promote peace.
The Chicago Fund will consider applications from groups, agencies, and organizations with a valid 501(c)(3) designation or a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor whose mission aligns with the fund’s goal of supporting grassroots, community-based solutions for safer Chicago neighborhoods
To qualify, applicants must propose activities that adhere to the Seven Field Principles (7FP) model. Collaboration among community organizations is also strongly encouraged.
See full guidelines and RFP here: Chicago Fund PSPC 2026 RFP
Applications are due March 2, and awards will be announced on May 1, 2026.

Funder: Illinois Arts Council
Grant Program: General Operating Support (GOS) and Youth Employment in the Arts (YEA) Grants
Max Award/Opportunity: GOS Max = determined by funding formula | YEA Max = $4,500 ( see guidelines for details)
Application Closes: March 18, 2026
Funding Area: Multiple Disciplines

General Operating Support Grants are offered to 501(c)(3)s providing ongoing arts programs and demonstrating a strong commitment to making them accessible and relevant to a diverse range of participants.
Youth Employment in the Arts Grants provide up to $4,500 to general operating recipients to support employment opportunities in their organization for up to four (4) youth aged 14 to 22.
An information session replay is available on the website, and drop-in assistance sessions will take place on the following dates: Thursday 2 /19, Friday 2/27, Tuesday 3/3, and Wednesday 3/11.
Access the links to these resources as well as full guidelines, timeline, and application instructions here: IAC Fiscal Year 2027 GOS & YEA Grants Grants
Applications are due March 18 and awardees will be notified in August.

Grant Tip of the Week 💡- Ask The Funder

There’s a pot of gold at the end of this newsletter!

After reviewing the grant opportunities, scroll down to the “strategy and tips” section to find out more about ways the funder works with you to support your application.

NEXT 30 DAYS

Funder: Chamber Music America - Empowerment for Impact & Growth
Maximum Grant Size: $20,000
Application Closes: February 19, 2026
Funding Area: Music - Jazz (Ensembles)

Funder: Arts and Public Life - 2026/27 Community Cultural Arts Partnership (CCAP)
Grant Award: Partnership w/ Arts & Public Life (reduced rental rates, communications and program design support)
Application Closes: February 23, 2026
Funding Area: Dance, music, film, and media arts (organizations)

Funder: Mid Atlantic Arts - US Artists International Grants
Maximum Grant Size: $11,000 (Matching Grant)
Application Closes: February 25, 2026
Funding Area: Music: international tours (individuals / ensembles)

Funder: National Endowment for the Arts - Grants for Arts Projects, Pt. 2
Maximum Grant Size: $100,000
Application Closes: February 25, 2026
Funding Area: All Arts Disciplines + Arts Education (Organization)

Funder: New Music USA - New Music, Inc Incubator Grants
Maximum Grant Size: $8000 + 18-month Cohort Mentorship
Application Closes: February 26, 2026
Funding Area: Music (Organization)

Funder: Chamber Music America - New Jazz Works
Minimum Grant Size: $9,000 (see guidelines for details)
Application Closes: February 26, 2026
Funding Area: Music - Jazz (Individuals / Ensembles)

Funder: Artadia - Chicago Artadia Awards
Maximum Grant Size: $15,000
Application Closes: March 1, 2026
Funding Area: Visual Art (Individual Artist)

Funder: Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative - 63rd St Viaduct Mural Design and Installation
Maximum Grant Size: $20,000 budget
Application Closes: March 2, 2026
Funding Area: Visual Art (Individual Artist)

Funder: Poetry Foundation - Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowships
Maximum Grant Size: $27,000
Application Closes: March 2, 2026
Funding Area: Poetry (Individual Artist)

Funder: The Saints - 2026 Saints Performing Arts Grants
Maximum Grant Size: $7,000
Application Closes: March 2, 2026
Funding Area: Performing Arts: Theater, Dance, Music, Multidisciplinary (Organization)

Funder: AMPT - Antiracist Practice Cohort
Maximum Grant Size: Coaching Cohort + $10,000 organizational stipend
Application Closes: March 2, 2026
Funding Area: Nonprofit Leadership (Individual - Executive Director)

Funder: Chicago DPD/SBIF (119th/Halsted | 47th/Ashland | Avalon Park/South Shore | Chicago/Central Park | Lawrence/Pulaski)
Maximum Grant Size: $150,000 commercial | $250,000 industrial
Application Closes: March 2, 2026
Funding Area: Capital (Organization)

Funder: Illinois Arts Council - Disability LEAD Conference Scholarships
Maximum Grant Size: $1,500
Application Closes: March 5, 2026
Funding Area: Disability Justice / Conference (Organizational Staff)

Funder: Terra Foundation - Exhibition Grant (LOI)
Maximum Grant Size: $200,000
Application Closes: March 6, 2026
Funding Area: Visual Art (Organization)

Funder: Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) - R3 Restore. Reinvest. Renew Grants
Minimum Grant Size: $25,000 (see guidelines for details)
Application Closes: March 6, 2026
Funding Area: Violence Prevention / Re-entry / Youth Development (Organization)

Funder: SouthArts - Jazz Road tours
Maximum Grant Size: $15,000
Application Closes: March 10, 2026 (Letter of Inquiry)
Funding Area: Music (Jazz, Artist / Ensemble)

Funder: Woods Fund - Woods Fund Chicago Grants
Maximum Grant Size: $35,000
Application Closes: March 10, 2026
Funding Area: Racial & Economic Justice / Community Organizing (Organization)

Funder: Chicago Community Trust - Sponsorships
Maximum Grant Size: $10,000
Application Closes: March 12, 2026
Funding Area: Events, Panels, Forums (organization)

Funder: Live Music Society - Music in Action
Maximum Grant Size: $50,000
Application Closes: March 12, 2026
Funding Area: Music (Organization / Venue)

Funder: League of Chicago Theaters - ComEd Powering the Arts
Maximum Grant Size: $20,000
Application Closes: March 13, 2026
Funding Area: Multiple Disciplines (Organization)

Funder: Artist Grant
Maximum Grant Size: $1,200
Application Closes: March 15, 2026
Funding Area: Visual Arts (Organization)

Funder: New England Foundation for the Arts - National Dance Project Production Grant
Maximum Grant Size: $45,000 for dance project creation / $10,000 general operating support / $20,000 for U.S. tour
Application Closes: March 16, 2026
Funding Area: Dance (Organization + choreographer)

Funder: Elastic Arts: Dark Matter Residency
Maximum Grant Size: $1000 stipend / $1000 event budget
Application Closes: March 16, 2026
Funding Area: Multiple Disciplines (Individual Artist)

Funder: Illinois Arts Council General Operating Support and Youth Employment in the Arts
Maximum Grant Size: GOS Max = determined by funding formula | YEA Max = $4,500
Application Closes: March 18, 2026
Funding Area: Multiple Disciplines, Youth in Arts (Organization)

Funder: Chicago Community Trust: Community & Civic Leadership RFP (Invite Only)
Maximum Grant Size: $75,000
Application Closes: March 19, 2026
Funding Area: Social Change/Leadership (Organization)

NEXT 60 DAYS

Funder: Field Foundation - Leaders for a New Chicago
Maximum Grant Size: $50,000 for each individual awardee, $25,000 for the awardee’s affiliated nonprofit.
Nomination Window Closes: March 20, 2026
Funding Area: Arts & Culture / Justice / Journalism (Individual + Organization)

Funder: National Endowment for the Arts - Research Grants in the Arts, Pt. 1
Maximum Grant Size: $100,000
Application Closes: March 23, 2026
Funding Area: Arts Research (Organization)

Funder: Cliff Dwellers Arts Foundation
Maximum Grant Size: $2,000
Application Closes: March 27, 2026 (*mail-in, postmark must be 3/27 or earlier)
Funding Area: Multiple Disciplines (Organization or Individual)

Funder: Hyde Park Art Center - Bridge Performance Incubator Program
Grant Award: 10-week seminar-style exploratory practice cohort
Application Closes: March 29, 2026
Funding Area: Performance (Individual Artist)

Funder: Chicago DPD/SBIF (47th/King Drive | 63rd/Pulaski | 87th/Cottage Grove | Central West | Ewing Avenue)
Maximum Grant Size: $150,000 commercial | $250,000 industrial
Application Closes: March 30, 2026
Funding Area: Capital (Organization)

Funder: Illinois Department of Hunan Services - Problem Gambling Awareness Art Competition
Maximum Grant Size: $2,000
Application Closes: March 31, 2026
Funding Area: Multiple Disciplines (Visual Art, Literature, Performance, Film)

Funder: Landmarks Illiinois - Preservation Heritage Fund Grant
Maximum Grant Size: $5,000
Application Closes: April 1, 2026
Funding Area: Historic Preservation (Organization)

Funder: National Endowment for the Arts - Research Grants in the Arts, Pt. 2
Maximum Grant Size: $100,000
Application Closes: April 2, 2026
Funding Area: Arts Research (Organizations)

Funder: Ignite Fund (opens 3/11)
Maximum Grant Size: $10,000
Application Closes: April 13, 2026
Funding Area: Visual Arts (Individual Artist / Collective)

Funder: Vilcek Foundation Grants
Maximum Grant Size: $20,000
Application Closes: April 30, 2026
Funding Area: Immigrants in Arts, Sciences, Education, Social Services (Organization)

Funder: Chicago DPD/SBIF (79th/Vincennes | Belmont/Central | Foster/Edens | Kennedy/Kimball | Western/Ogden)
Maximum Grant Size: $150,000 commercial | $250,000 industrial
Application Closes: April 30, 2026
Funding Area: Capital (Organization)

Funder: Illinois Humanities - Gwendolyn Brooks Youth Poetry Awards
Maximum Grant Size: $300 + poem publication /performance
Application Closes: May 1, 2026
Funding Area: Poetry (Individual Youth Artist, K-12 )

Funder: SouthArts - Jazz & Human Connection Creative Residency
Maximum Grant Size: $40,000
Application Closes: May 1, 2026
Funding Area: Music (Individual Artist / Jazz )

Funder: SouthArts - Jazz Road Legacy Residency
Maximum Grant Size: $40,000
Application Closes: May 1, 2026
Funding Area: Music (Individual Artist aged 55+ / Jazz )

Funder: Chicago DPD: Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, Q2
Maximum Grant Size: $250,000
Application Closes: May 15, 2026
Funding Area: Immigrants in Arts, Sciences, Education, Social Services (Organization)

Funder: Crossroads Fund - Chicago Racial Justice Pooled
Maximum Grant Size: $50,000
Application Closes: May 29, 2026
Funding Area: Racial Justice (Organizations / Collectives)

Rolling Grants

Funder: Arts Work Fund
Maximum Grant Size: $40,000
Application Status: Rolling
Funding Area: Capacity Building/Planning (Organization)

*RE-OPENED - Funder: Reva & David Logan Foundation
Maximum Grant Size: Varies
Application Status: Rolling (LOI)
Funding Area: Arts, Social Justice, and Journalism (Organization / Individual)

Funder: Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+): Emergency Relief Grant
Grant/Award: $3,000 Emergency Relief Grants
Application Status: Rolling
Funding Area: Emergency relief for Craft Artists (Individual)

Funder: New Music USA--Reel Change: Fund for Diversity in Film Scoring
Maximum Grant Size: $20,000
Application Status: Rolling
Funding Area: Music (Artist)

Funder: Epiphany Center for the Arts - Call for Exhibitions
Maximum Grant Size: Exhibition platform / space (see guidelines for details)
Application Status: Rolling
Funding Area: Visual Arts (Artist)

To view additional rolling grants please visit this link!

STRATEGY & TIPS

Grant Tip of the Week 💡 Ask the Funder

Application requirements seem unclear? Not certain if you’re eligible? Eyes glazed over from reading the guidelines?

Ask the funder!

Many times, grant seekers are either a) unaware of a designated point-person for questions about a funding opportunity, or b) fear that asking questions will harm their chances for funding. It won’t!

The contact person listed in application guidelines is specifically designated to field questions and assist you, and can be a valuable resource in helping you determine alignment and complete your application.

Often, a posted opportunity will provide various ways to interact with the organization’s representatives, including -

Contact information for the Grant Program Officer (email and/or phone)
Information Sessions (virtual or in-person) where program staff give an overview of the opportunity
Drop-in sessions for quick Q&A with program staff
Additional opportunities for budget assistance and other technical assistance, depending upon the opportunity

Don’t be afraid to ask your question!

Funding institutions are, ultimately, made up of people, and those people want to help. Most program staff members started out just like you - independent arts, culture, and community workers who were once seeking funds themselves, and are intimately acquainted with how challenging the process can be.

Pro Tip: Set an appointment with the funder! Send an introductory email to the Grant Program officer with a short description of your mission / work, and ask about your eligibility / alignment for the funding opportunity. You can often even schedule a short meeting with them to discuss!

(*IMPORTANT NOTE: Program officers often get swamped by email traffic in the final hours and days before the application deadline.

If you reach out to them early in the process, 1. you’re more likely to get a timely response, 2. you’ll have more opportunity for back-and-forth exchange with them, and 3. there’s a greater likelihood that they will have the capacity for an introductory conversation)

At Bustling Spaces, we believe that a successful grant application requires a multi-faceted approach that combines precision, creativity, and strategic planning.

Tell City Council to keep arts funding strong in Chicago’s 2026 budget! Contact your alderperson and urge them to support cultural grants and programs in this year's budget. Contact Your Alderman

Take a closer look at what’s in (and what’s not) for arts and culture in Chicago’s FY26 budget. Read Arts Alliance full analysis for key takeaways and context. Read Arts Alliance’s Analysis

Looking for convenient access to our Newsletter? In addition to receiving biweekly updates, you can also locate the latest newsletter on our website under Programs > Newsletter Catalogue .

Looking for Space on the Southside?

South Side Artists in Sacred Spaces

Check out our interactive map of the congregations that are participating in the South Side Artists in Sacred Spaces program. Here’s the link to the map.

Additional Funding Opportunities & Informational Resources:
Explore more funding avenues! Discover additional resources promoting diverse grants, residencies and other opportunities for artists, arts organizations, and creative businesses. Unleash new possibilities and fuel your artistic journey!

The world of public funding can be overwhelming for creatives. That's why the Arts Alliance Help Desk is here. From running list of public funding opportunities to expert staff who can help you find support for your arts practice or navigate a tricky grant application, the AAI Help Desk is there to make sure nonprofits, individual artists, creative business and beyond can thrive. Visit them at https://artsalliance.org/support!
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