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Upcoming Grants for the next 90 days. A successful grant application requires a multi-faceted approach. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES | VOLUME 49| October 3, 2025
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Our Arts Feature for this issue is: The.BlkRoom
The.BlkRoom is a Chicago-based co‑creation studio and membership organization with a mission to provide a safe, accessible, and high-quality creative space for BIPOC artists and musicians. Operating out of its West Side space since 2023, TBR’s four main pillars center around showcasing, educating, connecting, and recharging. These pillars drive our practice by shaping our programs, guiding our community building, and creating opportunities for sustainable and collaborative artistic practice. On October 15th, check out The.BlkRoom’s newest initiative, presented by The Bloom Residency - The Grant Party! Taking place the 3rd Wednesday of each month, Grant Party is a creative work session + resource hub + vibe check, designed to help you secure the funding you need to bring your projects to life. Whether it’s for an art installation, community event, album release, or your next big idea—this is the space to get it DONE. Register for the Grant Party at the link below, and keep reading after the grant listings to find out more about the Bloom Residency!
The Grant Party - 10/15/25, 4PM - 8PM
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Funder: Arts Work Fund
Grant Program: Arts Capacity Grants
Maximum Grant Size: $40,000
Application Open: October 1, 2025
Funding Area: Creative Placemaking (Organizations) The Arts Work Fund (AWF) is a funding collaborative supporting small and mid-sized arts organizations in Chicago and Cook County. AWF's responsive grants support individual arts organizations—or collaborations among them—as they adopt or improve new organizational practices. Grants aim to: - Strengthen organizational resilience
- Advance strategy
- Improve community engagement and communication
- Address other key capacity-building needs Grant sizes depend on the project's scope but will not exceed $40,000. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and grant decisions are made every other month.
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STRATEGY & TIPS🔑 Grant Tip: Follow the Guidelines Exactly
Funders often receive hundreds of applications, and many are rejected simply because they didn’t follow instructions. Double-check page limits, formatting, required attachments, and deadlines. Attention to detail shows professionalism and keeps your proposal in the running. At Bustling Spaces, we believe that a successful grant application requires a multi-faceted approach that combines precision, creativity, and strategic planning.
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Funder: Elevated Chicago - Elevating Culture Near Transit
Maximum Grant Size: $50,000
Application Closes: October 6, 2025
Funding Area: Creative Placemaking (Organizations) Funder: Orlebeke Foundation - Mentorship in the Arts Initiative
Maximum Grant Size: $150,000
Application Closes: October 10, 2025 (Statement of Interest)
Funding Area: K-8 Arts Education (Organization) Funder: South Arts Jazz Road Tours
Maximum Grant Size: $15,000 (*includes childcare)
Application Closes: October 15, 2025
Funding Area: Music (Artist) Funder: Chicago International Puppet Theater: Puppet Lab
Maximum Grant Size/Opportunity: $1,000 + project support
Application Closes: October 15, 2025
Funding Area: Puppetry (Artist) Funder: Art Omi - Music Residency
Award/Opportunity: 18-day music residency
Application Closes: October 15, 2025
Funding Area: Music (Artist) Funder: Flourish Art Accelerator
Maximum Grant Size: $10,000
Application Closes: October 25, 2025
Funding Area: Visual Arts (Artist) Funder: Americans for the Arts - National Arts Relief Fund
Maximum Grant Size: Varies - See Guidelines
Application Closes: October 28, 2025
Funding Area: Multiple Disciplines (Organizations) Funder: Chicago DPD/SBIF (Bronzeville | Bryn Mawr / Broadway | Galewood / Armitage | Kinzie Industrial Corridor | Stockyards SEQ)
Maximum Grant Size: $150,000 (Commercial), $250,000 (Industrial)
Application Closes: October 30, 2025 (LOI)
Funding Area: Capital (Organization)
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Funder: City of Chicago DCASE - Fulton/Milwaukee Viaduct Public Art Project
Maximum Grant Size: $85,000 (Total Budget)
Application Closes: November 10, 2025
Funding Area: Visual Art - Mural (Artist/Team) Funder: Crossroads Fund - Community Resilience Fund
Maximum Grant Size: $30,000
Application Closes: November 11, 2025
Funding Area: Social Action (Organizations) Funder: Chicago Department of Planning and Development - Neighborhood Opportunity Fund
Maximum Grant Size: $250,000
Application Closes: November 14, 2025
Funding Area: Capital (Organizations) Funder: ACRE Residency
Award/Opportunity: 14-day arts residency
Application Closes: November 18, 2025
Funding Area: Multiple Disciplines (Artist/Collaboration) Funder: Àkójọpọ̀ Music Foundation - Call for Composers
Award/Opportunity: Royalties, Promotional and Commission Opportunities (see guidelines for details)
Application Closes: November 18, 2025
Funding Area: Multiple Disciplines (Artist/Collaboration) Funder: Chicago Park District - Anchor Curatorial Residency
Maximum Grant Size: $30K max ($20,000 curator fee, $10,000 program and exhibition expenses)
Application Closes: November 24, 2025
Funding Area: Placemaking/Curation, Multiple Disciplines (Individual Artist) Funder: Chicago DPD/SBIF (43rd / Cottage Grove | 71st / Stony Island | Avondale | Little Village East | Madison / Austin)
Maximum Grant Size: $150,000 (Commercial), $250,000 (Industrial)
Application Closes: November 30, 2025 (LOI)
Funding Area: Capital (Organization)
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Funder: Reva & David Logan Foundation
Maximum Grant Size: Varies
Application Status: Rolling (LOI)
Funding Area: Arts, Social Justice, and Journalism (org / individual) Overview
Provides multi-year and/or project-based funding from non-traditional, innovative organizations focused around arts, journalism, or social justice. Liberatory frameworks welcome. 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) Overview
Epiphany Center centers the work of women, the LGBTQ+ community, artists of color, and artists with disabilities. Our highest priority is to curate programs that are inclusive and where established artists can collaborate with emerging ones. Before submitting a proposal, artists are encouraged to visit our center to learn more about our galleries and entertainment programming. To view additional rolling grants please visit this link!
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The.BlkRoom’s Bloom Residency for Black Women, generously sponsored by Angel Bat Dawid, is a transformative program dedicated to empowering Black women artists by providing them with access to TBR's creative space, vibrant community, valuable resources, and an extensive network of mentorship opportunities. The residency invites artists to delve into their work through the unique lens of their experiences with Black womanhood, fostering a deep exploration of identity, creativity, and expression. The Bloom Residency’s inaugural resident, pictured above, is extraordinary vocalist/creative/powerhouse Eva Supreme.
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The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation is currently looking for a Senior Program Director. You can view additional details here.
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Epiphany Center for the Arts is currently accepting proposals. You can view additional details here. Epiphany Center for the Arts’ mission is to showcase the work of women, the LGBTQ+ community, artists of color, and artists with disabilities. Their highest priority is to curate programs that are inclusive and where established artists can collaborate with emerging ones. Before submitting a proposal, artists are encouraged to visit their center to learn more about their galleries and entertainment programming.
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Latest Blog: Volume 4 - The Arts Funding Crisis: Math, Metaphor & Money Read blog here Sign up for our monthly Building Blocks, blog that advocates for art, culture and heritage as a key generator of equitable economic and community development for Chicago communities! NB: This is different from our bi-weekly newsletter.
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Looking for convenient access to our Newsletter? In addition to receiving biweekly updates, you can also locate the latest newsletter on our website under the Resources section (Funding Opportunities).
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Looking for Space on the Southside?
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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.
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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! |
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