Opportunities for Individual Artists
Independent Producers Lab Application
Application Deadline: Sunday, January 17
Applications are now open for the 2021 cycle of the Chicago Film Office's Chicago Independent Producers Lab. Participating producers will have the chance to work with industry professionals to grow their network and expertise in different areas of independent film producing. To learn more and to apply, visit www.fullspectrumfeatures.com/producers-lab.
Call to Artists: We Will Chicago Initiative
Application Deadline: Monday, February 1
Honey Pot Performance is seeking a core group of artists and community organizers to help guide the work of an artist-led public engagement process for the We Will Chicago initiative. This core group will co-create an engagement model alongside Honey Pot Performance addressing the initiative’s fundamental goals through research, design, and activation ensuring that We Will Chicago creates a "People First" plan that represents and positively impacts all residents of Chicago. To learn more and to apply, visit chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/we_will_chicago.html.
Artist Response Program
Application Deadline: Friday, February 5, 5pm CST
A new "Artist Response Program" will provide $750,000 to support art that responds to recent health, economic and humanitarian crises. The program includes $500,000 to fund up to 10 ambitious public art projects and an additional $250,000 for three to five regranting partners to distribute for smaller local projects. To learn more and to apply, visit chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/artist_response_program.html.
Designing a Better Chicago
If there was ever a time to recognize and support individuals and organizations using design for civic good, it’s now. Nominations are now open through March 12th for the 2021 Design Impact Grant program as part of our ongoing partnership initiative Designing a Better Chicago. The program provides annual project-specific grants to individuals and organizations using design or design principles to directly address pressing issues in Chicago communitiesTo learn more, visit www.designchicago.org.
Call for art, objects and more for new online shop
Buddy is a new store created by the Public Media Institute to give Chicago's artists and small manufacturers a place to showcase and sell their goods and artwork. The extraordinary selection of curated art, jewelry, publications, music and toys is now available online at hi-buddy.org in anticipation of the store that will be located in the Chicago Cultural Center when it reopens. If you are a local artist interested in selling your art and products at the store, submit your materials at lumpen.typeform.com/to/pXZonq.
Call for Chicago Cultural Center Learning Lab Virtual Programs
Applications accepted on a rolling basis
The Chicago Cultural Center's Learning Lab invites artists to share their talents in hands-on "Meet an Artist" programs. As the Chicago Cultural Center remains closed to the public in response to COVID-19, we invite artists to propose activities that can be shared with the public through live video. We are especially interested in activities that align with the Year of Chicago Music.To apply, visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/6PC3VBF.
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 process application and process, visit chicago.gov/muralregistry.

Opportunities for Arts Organizations
2021 CityArts Program Grants
Application Opens Tuesday, January 19
DCASE is pleased to announce the timeline for the 2021 CityArts Program, offering grants to nonprofit arts and culture organizations of all sizes. This year’s program will include opportunities to apply for general operating grants and project grants focused on rebuilding and recovery across all artistic disciplines. Project grants will support initiatives that have the potential to impact the Chicago arts sector at large. The application will open and guidelines will become available on January 19, 2021. The application deadline is March 3, 2021 at 5:00pm CST. For eligibility requirements, grant calendar and more information please visit chicagoculturalgrants.org.
Artist Response Program
Application Deadline: Friday, February 5, 5pm CST
A new "Artist Response Program" will provide $750,000 to support art that responds to recent health, economic and humanitarian crises. The program includes $500,000 to fund up to 10 ambitious public art projects and an additional $250,000 for three to five regranting partners to distribute for smaller local projects. To learn more and to apply, visit chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/artist_response_program.html.
Designing a Better Chicago
If there was ever a time to recognize and support individuals and organizations using design for civic good, it’s now. Nominations are now open through March 12th for the 2021 Design Impact Grant program as part of our ongoing partnership initiative Designing a Better Chicago. The program provides annual project-specific grants to individuals and organizations using design or design principles to directly address pressing issues in Chicago communitiesTo learn more, visit www.designchicago.org.
Chicago Youth Music Exchange Applications Now Open
Applications accepted on a rolling basis
Chicago-based youth music ensembles/programs are invited to apply to the Chicago Youth Music Exchange, a pilot cross-neighborhood, cross-program virtual exchange. Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE) is curating this new pilot program for the Year of Chicago Music and DCASE. Information and application at bit.ly/YOCMExchange.