Funding. Resources. Community. For Creatives.

IN THIS ISSUE

🎨 Artist Feature + News
💰 Funding We're Watching
📅 Closing in the Next 30 Days
🔭 Looking Ahead: Next 90 Days
💡 Grant Tip
📣 Resources

Funder: Illinois Arts Council
Grant Program: Creative Accelerator Fund
Maximum Grant/Opportunity: $10,000
Application Closes: October 14, 2026
Funding Area: Multiple disciplines (Individual Artist)

The Illinois Arts Council’s (IAC) Creative Accelerator Fund (CAF) provides crucial support to artists with a goal of strengthening the creative workforce that composes a significant portion of Illinois’ economic activity.

This is a $10,000 taxable award with a randomized selection component. Additionally, IAC has transitioned to compliance-based evaluation criteria and does not evaluate the quality of artistic work or artistic accomplishments.

An information session recording is available to watch below:

- FY27 Creative Accelerator Fund Webinar

For additional assistance, attend one of the remaining drop-in sessions to speak directly with program staff by clicking on the respective links below (no registration required)

IAC Drop-In Session | Tuesday, October 13th, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Review the full guidelines and contact your Regional Program Director with additional questions.

Funder: City of Chicago DCASE
Grant Program: Chicago Cultural Center Dance Studio Residency
Maximum Grant/Opportunity: $25,000 + 80-hour dance studio residency
Application Closes: October 26, 2026 @ 5PM
Funding Area: Dance (Individual Dancer, company, and/or collective)

This opportunity is for the research and development of new dance and movement work, and provides space, time and $10,000-$25,000 in funding for selected Chicago dancemakers.

The goals of the Dance Studio Residency Program include:

1) Support the creation of new work in its early stages of development 2) Position the Dance Studio as a community asset for the development of new work 3) Create intersections between performing artists and the public 4) Offer co-learning opportunities for Chicago’s dance community, 5) Support a cohort of artists reflective of the city of Chicago and its cultural landscape, and 6) Elevate “Art is Labor” conversations through models of direct investment

An information session recording is available to watch below:

- CCC Dance Studio Residency - Info Session Replay

For applicants interested in visiting the Chicago Cultural Center Dance Studio prior to applying, a Drop-In Visitation Date on Saturday, October 17, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. No reservation is required.

Review the full guidelines and contact Lisa Atkinson, program coordinator, at Lisa.Atkinson@CityofChicago.org with any questions.

ALWAYS LOOKING FOR YOUR NEXT OPPORTUNITY?

You don't have to wait for the next newsletter.

Visit the Grants & Opportunities section on the Bustling Spaces website anytime to explore current grants, fellowships, residencies, open calls, and other opportunities for artists and creative organizations.

We keep the list updated, so check back regularly for new opportunities.

Tip of the Week 💡-

The 2026 Creative Worker Rights campaign is here!

Between the release of Arts Alliance Illinois’ Creative Economy Impact Data , the launch of the Illinois Creative Futures Roadshow , and the visibility of other metrics that demonstrate the clear impact of Chicago’s creative workers on the economy and quality of life in the city, it’s imperative we seize this moment to deepen our conversations not only about creative workers’ value, but our rights.

Towards this end, the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events have launched the 2026 Creative Worker Rights campaign, assembling a host of new resources and events for creative workers and their employers. Check out the Creative Worker Rights page with new webinars and information on labor laws and standards for creative workers , freelance protections, and more at Chicago.gov/CreativeWork.

In addition, DCASE and the Chicago Film Office present the Cassidy Theater Film Club x Art is Labor Films, a series of monthly film screenings and dialogue exploring what it looks like to be a creative worker in the 21st century, running through December 2026 (RSVP at the Creative Worker Rights page).

Lastly, don’t forget to check out DCASE’s Creative Worker Resources page, with links to a host of external resources ranging from low-cost legal assistance to emergency support.

Need to engage with DCASE staff directly? Now you have 2 options, not just one!

• Sign-up for Cultural Resources Office Hours, taking place the 3rd Wednesday of each month, where you can get 1:1 assistance for DCASE cultural offerings including grants, public art resources, performing opportunities and more.

• NEW: Attend Consult DCASE, a new monthly opportunity to connect with members of the department’s team in-person! Sign up for available spots on October 14th, November 12th, or December 9th from 11:30am- 1:00PM .

In addition, bookmark DCASE’s opportunities list at chicago.gov/DCASEopportunities , which houses current DCASE funding and engagement opportunities for creatives, including space rental, careers, grants and open calls, performances, grant selection panel participation, and more.

Overwhelmed by information? Let DCASE curate it for you. Sign up for DCASE’s monthly newsletter to make sure you’re tapped in to the latest events, opportunities, resources and updates, and you’ll be the first to know when new grants open.

Questions about the resources listed above? Have additional resources you want to share? contact CulturalResources@CityofChicago.org.