The Chicago Inclusion Project Announces Anti-Racism Workshops for Theatre and Arts Organizations

The staff of The Chicago Inclusion Project is excited to launch a new workshop and continuum developed by staff members Jessica Vann and Arti Ishak. The workshop, entitled “Being Anti-Racist: An Active Action,” is designed for Theatre and Arts organizations looking for a comprehensive deep-dive into Anti-Racist practices and actionable steps toward becoming an Anti-Racist organization. After taking this workshop, companies will have a deeper understanding of where their institution stands, and a clear idea of actions that can be taken to achieve Anti-Racism goals. Inspired by Enrich Chicago & Crossroad’s Continuum …

Read more

The Saints Arts Grants Program Opens October 15

The Saints encourage theater, dance, and music organizations to apply for our grant assistance to be used for artistic development or production-related purposes. Some examples applicants can request funding for but are not limited to: Covid compliance, costumes/puppetry, the commissioning or licensing of works, improvements to applicant-owned premises, community engagement and enrichment projects, or computer and technical items such as sound or lighting needs. Budget requests for mini grants up to $2,500 will be considered for projects occurring from September 1, 2021 through May 31, 2022. Requesting organizations must be 501(c)(3) and have been established for a minimum …

Read more

“All Together Now” Community Fundraiser

Eclectic Full Contact Theatre, in partnership with the Athenaeum Theater, is coordinating a Chicago Theatre Community fundraising event to benefit any and all Chicago theatres that want to participate. The plan is to put on a one-night only production of “All Together Now”, a new musical revue being offered license and royalty-free by MTI for use by anyone the weekend of November 12-15th. Details as to what songs are being released for use in this revue are still forthcoming, but the show will be free to use in any form during that …

Read more

Congo Square Theatre Company and Sydney Chatman announced as recipients of 2021 Joyce Awards

Sydney Chatman and Congo Square Theatre Company were announced this week as recipients of the Joyce Foundation’s 2021 Joyce Awards. Since 2003, the Joyce Awards have supported the creation of new work by emerging and mid-career artists of color to foster more culturally vibrant, equitable, and sustainable communities in six Great Lakes cities: Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee and Minneapolis-St Paul. The $75,000 grant will support Chatman’s creation and presentation of a new theatrical work as part of Congo Square’s August Wilson New Play Initiative, created in partnership with Chicago community members …

Read more

Michael Merritt Award Ceremony on May 17, 2021

The Michael Merritt Award, a national award unique in its emphasis on excellence in both design and collaboration, is presented annually to professional theatrical designers. The Michael Merritt Awards announces that on Monday May 17, 2021 the award ceremony will be a virtual event that will highlight two designers who are powerhouse advocates of inclusion and equity in employment. The Merritt Award for Design and Collaboration will be presented to Clint Ramos; Designer, Educator, Activist and Creative Producer. The Merritt Award’s first Arts Advocate Award will be presented to Elsa Hiltner, Costume …

Read more

Grant Announcement: MacArthur Funds for Culture, Equity and the Arts at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation

The next application deadline for the MacArthur Funds for Culture, Equity, and the Arts at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation is May 3, 2021, 6 pm CST. Groups with actual expenses between $150,000 and $500,000 may apply. This funding program, a partnership between the MacArthur and Driehaus foundations and administered by Driehaus, supports exemplary small and mid-sized cultural organizations in Chicago. It provides general operating grants that help enable groups of all artistic disciplines to present creative work to Chicago audiences as well as to sustain their operations, build their capacity, take …

Read more

Grant Announcement: Rick Bayless’ Family Foundation Opens Annual Theater Grant Applications

Celebrity chef’s foundation makes $300,000 available to Chicago theater companies The Bayless Family Foundation is proud to announce the 2021 “Signal Grant” application is open for Chicago theaters. “We hope these grants can be a lively, bright spark to our city’s theater scene after what’s been a dark time,” said Rick Bayless, the celebrity chef behind the James Beard Award-winning restaurants Frontera Grill and Topolobampo. The “Signal Grant” is being offered in response to the COVID crisis for Chicago’s theatre community, which has been among the hardest-hit industries in the ongoing pandemic …

Read more