2022 Culture, Equity, and the Arts Grants
We recognize that cultural institutions have a unique power to amplify under-represented voices and make cultural assets available to all. Our Culture, Equity, and the Arts grantmaking aims to shift resources and access to the arts for communities that have been historically excluded to support a more equitable sector. Using a participatory grantmaking process, we awarded 12 organizations a total $2,400,000 in general operating support over three years.
- Black Ensemble Theater, which works to eradicate racism and its devastating effects on society through the theater arts and related programming by and about African Americans, will receive $225,000.
- Chicago Cultural Alliance, a consortium of 40 Chicago-area cultural heritage museums, centers, and historical societies to connect, promote, and support centers of cultural heritage for a more inclusive Chicago, will receive $225,000.
- Chicago Humanities Festival, which promotes the exploration of the humanities through two annual festivals, year-round events, and a teacher-training writing program, will receive $150,000.
- Chicago Latino Theater Alliance (CLATA), which incites, fosters, and showcases thought-provoking Latino theater artists—primarily in Chicago—to preserve cultural heritage, inspire a cross-cultural audience, and create more equitable representation and access to funding, will receive $225,000.
- Comer Education Campus, which serves more than 2,000 youth annually from 72 Chicago Public Schools to prepare young people for college, careers, and futures as well-rounded global citizens, will receive $225,000.
- Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, which brings artists, art, and audiences together to enrich, engage, educate, and change lives through the experience of dance, will receive $150,000.
- Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, which honors survivors and victims of the Holocaust by combating hatred, prejudice, and indifference through exhibits, events, and educational programs that equip visitors to take action to protect human rights and prevent genocide, will receive $150,000.
- Illinois Humanities Council, which provides high-quality civic discussions, programming, performances, and exhibitions to create a culture in which the humanities are a vital part of the lives of Illinois communities, will receive $225,000.
- Lincoln Park Zoo, which provides free, family-oriented wildlife experiences in the heart of Chicago and fosters relationships in Chicago neighborhoods that are geographically distant from the zoo through a co-creation model, will receive $150,000.
- Marwen Foundation, whose mission is to educate and inspire underserved young people through the visual arts, will receive $225,000.
- The People’s Music School, which provides intensive instruction and performance to help students grow musically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually, will receive $225,000.
- Sweet Water Foundation, which combines urban agriculture, art, and project-based education with youth, their families, and other local residents to transform the ecology of disinvested neighborhoods in Chicago, will receive $225,000.
