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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 50| October 16, 2025
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The future of the arts and culture sector in suburban Cook County starts with you.
This fall, Arts Alliance Illinois and Cook County Arts are hosting Community Insight sessions across the suburbs. These gatherings will bring together artists, creative businesses, cultural organizations, residents, and anyone interested in shaping local government to share experiences, connect with peers, and foster a stronger suburban creative community.
More than 600 residents and cultural workers have already participated in a countywide survey. Now it’s time to continue the conversation in person.
Find the session nearest you and RSVP today at artsalliance.org/cook-county-arts/.
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Funder: Chicago International Puppet Theater
Grant Program: 2026 Chicago Puppet Lab
Award/Opportunity: Puppetry Residency + $1,000 stipend
Application Closes: October 29, 2025 - Deadline Extended!
Funding Area: Puppetry (Artist) The 2026 Chicago Puppet Lab has been extended to Wednesday, October 29th!
The Chicago Puppet Lab is a puppet theater incubator and residency program that supports artists in bringing to life new works of puppet theater. The program accepts 8 artists or artist groups for a 8-month, in person laboratory process led by Puppet Lab Co-Directors: Tom Lee and Grace Needlman. The program culminates with a mini-festival of live works-in-progress.
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Funder: New Music USA
Grant Program: Next Jazz Legacy
Award / Opportunity: Jazz apprenticeship + financial support (see guidelines)
Application Closes: October 31, 2025
Funding Area: Music (Artist) Next Jazz Legacy is a national apprenticeship and mentorship program designed to elevate emerging jazz improvisers. Operated in partnership with the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, the initiative increases opportunities for musicians who will contribute to a vibrant and inclusive jazz future.
Awardees receive a comprehensive support package including intergenerational mentorship, performance showcases at major jazz festivals, professional networking opportunities, and financial resources for creative and career development.
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STRATEGY & TIPS💡 GRANT TIP: ALIGN YOUR PROPOSAL WITH FUNDER PRIORITIES Before you start writing, take time to understand the funder’s mission, values, and funding goals. Tailor your proposal to show how your project directly supports their objectives. Use similar language from their website or past grant calls to reinforce alignment. Funders are more likely to invest when they clearly see their priorities reflected in your work. 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: Arts Work Fund - Arts Capacity Grants
Maximum Grant Size: $40,000
Application Open: October 1, 2025
Funding Area: Creative Placemaking (Organizations) Funder: Flourish Art Accelerator
Maximum Grant Size: $10,000
Application Closes: October 25, 2025
Funding Area: Visual Arts (Artist) Funder: Center for Art and Advocacy - 2026 Center Fellowship for Formerly Incarcerated Artists
Maximum Grant Size: $20,000
Application Closes: October 26, 2025
Funding Area: Multiple Disciplines (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: Leadership for Democracy and Social Justice - Radical Release Healing Centered Learning Community
Maximum Grant Size: $2,000 + free 20-week healing-centered cohort
Application Closes: October 30, 2025
Funding Area: Community/Social Action (Individual) 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) Funder: New Music USA - Next Jazz Legacy
Maximum Grant Size: $10,000 max + mentorship, peer-learning
Application Closes: October 31, 2025
Funding Area: Music (Artist) Funder: Gender Reveal Trans POC Grant
Maximum Grant Size: $1,000
Application Closes: October 31, 2025
Funding Area: Arts/Community (Individuals and/or Collectives) Funder: AIAIAI Audio Sponsorships
Sponsorship Award: Product Support: free low-latency wireless or studio headphones, supplied every year
Application Closes: October 31, 2025
Funding Area: Music - DJ/Producer (Artist) Funder: Definition Theater - By Design Apprenticeship
Maximum Grant Size: $2,000 + 6 months apprenticeship
Application Closes: November 1, 2025
Funding Area: Theater (Youth Artist) 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: Artist Grant
Maximum Grant Size: $1,200
Application Closes: November 15, 2025
Funding Area: Visual Arts (Artist)
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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: Puffin Foundation
Maximum Grant Size: $3,500
Application Closes: November 21, 2025 (Application request form - mail-in!)
Funding Area: Fine Arts, Music, and Photography (Artists or Organizations) 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) Funder: Puffin Foundation
Maximum Grant Size: $3,500
Application Closes: December 8, 2025 (Full Application)
Funding Area: Fine Arts, Music, and Photography (Artists or Organizations) Funder: Ragdale - Ragdale Ring Design-Build Competition
Maximum Grant Size: $20,000 + 18-day residency
Application Closes: January 6, 2026
Funding Area: Design (Artist/Team) Funder: Parent Artist Advocacy League - Parent & Artist Caregiver Grant
Maximum Grant Size: $1,000 (for caregiving support)
Application Closes: January 15, 2026
Funding Area: All Disciplines (Parents/Caregiver Artist)
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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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These sessions are an opportunity to connect with fellow creatives, cultural leaders, and community members in your region. Whether you’re an artist, an organization, a business, or a patron, your perspective matters.
Join to share your experiences and help strengthen arts and culture in the Cook County suburbs!
Find the session nearest you and RSVP today at artsalliance.org/cook-county-arts/. |
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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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