grantees

Acting Up in South Deering: A readers/writers theater program that combines SEL, & Multi-Arts practices. Once Upon A Pose combines literacy (an inclusive retelling of fairytales), SEL, and Yogic practices.

PRAA is seeking to activate an empty lot that was purchased in 2019 for community gatherings. The activities at this "Pocket Plaza" include music performances, artist wall, and student enrichment programs. Events are free and open to the public.

“Agua” is a festival that explores musical and spiritual cultural traditions across factions of the African Diaspora in Latin America and North America. The collaboration between La Escuelita Bombera de Corazón and 18th Street Casa de Cultural utilizes traditional music to build connections and heal the wounds fostered by anti-blackness in Black & Brown communities.

“Agua” is a festival that explores musical and spiritual cultural traditions across factions of the African Diaspora in Latin America and North America. The collaboration between La Escuelita Bombera de Corazón and 18th Street Casa de Cultural utilizes traditional music to build connections and heal the wounds fostered by anti-blackness in Black & Brown communities.

“Agua” is a festival that explores musical and spiritual cultural traditions across factions of the African Diaspora in Latin America and North America. The collaboration between La Escuelita Bombera de Corazón and 18th Street Casa de Cultural utilizes traditional music to build connections and heal the wounds fostered by anti-blackness in Black & Brown communities.

This project focuses on 4 key areas of cultural placekeeping and healing: Food Ethnography, Movement & Sound, Oral History, and Spiritual Healing through Botanicals.

Mandala strives to revitalize the health and prosperity of Devon’s South Asian community through arts and culture programming. Funds will be used to improve local participation and artist recruitment.

Young people from the West side of Chicago will develop a creative placemaking project for intergenerational healing. Working with adult allies the young people will use their vision, skills, and lived experience to design a creative healing project that incorporates intergenerational learning, and honors the lives of loved ones lost to violence.

Young people from the West side of Chicago will develop a creative placemaking project for intergenerational healing. Working with adult allies the young people will use their vision, skills, and lived experience to design a creative healing project that incorporates intergenerational learning, and honors the lives of loved ones lost to violence.

Young people from the West side of Chicago will develop a creative placemaking project for intergenerational healing. Working with adult allies the young people will use their vision, skills, and lived experience to design a creative healing project that incorporates intergenerational learning, and honors the lives of loved ones lost to violence.

Redefining the Urban Landscape: Englewood will transform a vacant lot in Englewood into a place for healing, restoration, and hope. It will be a community meeting space for youth and residents to gather, socialize, and an opportunity to provide service to the community.

Bridge to Freedom is pioneering an art sector within our organization where we hope to help returning citizens heal through owning and telling their stories. This year we are sharing the story of Dr. Mica Battle as a new play titled "Some Sort of Saint".

Artist Aram Han Sifuentes will facilitate ongoing NongGi (traditional Korean banner) making workshops at HANA Center centered around immigration justice. Aram and HANA will create a public installation of NongGis on HANA Center’s building façade.

Community Storytellers elevates the narratives of Chicago residents by adapting community-driven stories into short films. With the help of film professionals, three participants are selected to translate their stories into a motion picture while organizing a series of meaningful events that mobilize their neighborhoods.

“Creative Conversations” utilizes restorative practices and art form to transform communities through relationship building and the creation of vibrant spaces in partnership with block clubs.

Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange (CCRx) and T.H.U.G. Hippie (The Healing U Give) are collaborating to bring the CREATIVITY BUS to your school, neighborhood organization, community, block club or other event on Chicago’s SW side. The CREATIVITY BUS will pull up to your event and provide a 2 hour program that combines physical and artistic activities for all ages. Learn more at www.creativechirx.org and http://www.thughippie.org/#/  

Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange (CCRx) and T.H.U.G. Hippie (The Healing U Give) are collaborating to bring the CREATIVITY BUS to your school, neighborhood organization, community, block club or other event on Chicago’s SW side. The CREATIVITY BUS will pull up to your event and provide a 2 hour program that combines physical and artistic activities for all ages. Learn more at www.creativechirx.org and http://www.thughippie.org/#/  

Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange (CCRx) and T.H.U.G. Hippie (The Healing U Give) are collaborating to bring the CREATIVITY BUS to your school, neighborhood organization, community, block club or other event on Chicago’s SW side. The CREATIVITY BUS will pull up to your event and provide a 2 hour program that combines physical and artistic activities for all ages. Learn more at www.creativechirx.org and http://www.thughippie.org/#/

Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange (CCRx) and T.H.U.G. Hippie (The Healing U Give) are collaborating to bring THE CREATIVITY BUS to your school, neighborhood organization, community, block club or other event on Chicago’s SW side. THE CREATIVITY BUS will pull up to your event and provide a 3 hour program that combines physical and artistic activities for all ages. Learn more at www.creativechirx.org and http://www.thughippie.org/#/  

De Colores Art Café will transform into a vibrant gathering space and stage for the arts in the Archer Heights area. The café will offer sessions with open mic, vision boarding, mosaics and clay work, and more. Summer sessions will be offered to supplement youth programs in the area and will culminate in a community "gallery reception" at the end of each season.

This inaugural program, in partnership with Deeply Rooted and Blacks In Green, encourages participants to engage in stories around the theme of Celebrating the Great Migration and Green Living in Black Chicago. A Creative Communities Story Bridge performance is a large cast play performed by ordinary people of every age race and socioeconomic background. All comers are welcome onstage or behind the scenes.

A six month- long series of workshops on storytelling, performance, writing and more for fifteen youth at the Front Porch Arts Center. Community members are invited to engage with the artists-in-residents and the youth. In addition to the workshops, FPAC will build a new performance stage, garden, and commission a mural for the backyard area that will open to the public to serve as a peaceful oasis for community members and organizations to gather for fellowship and performances.

HAMOC will be bringing its outdoor, travelling, community exhibition We Walk: A Celebration of Black Community to 5 priority neighborhoods. Additionally, HAMOC will provide its Healing Through Art Workshops to 5 schools within those priority neighborhoods. The museum will hold a presentation and in-person exhibition about Healing Through Art in 2023 and 2024.

HAMOC will be bringing its outdoor, travelling, community exhibition We Walk: A Celebration of Black Community to 5 priority neighborhoods. Additionally, HAMOC will provide its Healing Through Art Workshops to 5 schools within those priority neighborhoods. The museum will hold a presentation and in-person exhibition about Healing Through Art in 2023 and 2024.

HAMOC will be bringing its outdoor, travelling, community exhibition We Walk: A Celebration of Black Community to 5 priority neighborhoods. Additionally, HAMOC will provide its Healing Through Art Workshops to 5 schools within those priority neighborhoods. The museum will hold a presentation and in-person exhibition about Healing Through Art in 2023 and 2024.

HAMOC will be bringing its outdoor, travelling, community exhibition We Walk: A Celebration of Black Community to 5 priority neighborhoods. Additionally, HAMOC will provide its Healing Through Art Workshops to 5 schools within those priority neighborhoods. The museum will hold a presentation and in-person exhibition about Healing Through Art in 2023 and 2024.

HAMOC will be bringing its outdoor, travelling, community exhibition We Walk: A Celebration of Black Community to 5 priority neighborhoods. Additionally, HAMOC will provide its Healing Through Art Workshops to 5 schools within those priority neighborhoods. The museum will hold a presentation and in-person exhibition about Healing Through Art in 2023 and 2024.

Chicago artists, local stakeholders learn how inclusive, accessible arts/culture engagement practices and art spaces offer long-term benefits. This demonstration project develops ideas for permanent sustainable work/live spaces where artist citizens can afford to own, live, create, and engage community. Grassroots action research, planning, and PlaceKeeping activities not only address the lack of affordable spaces; it activates community solutions while also impacting capacity building of local artists of all abilities.

Chicago artists, local stakeholders learn how inclusive, accessible arts/culture engagement practices and art spaces offer long-term benefits. This demonstration project develops ideas for permanent sustainable work/live spaces where artist citizens can afford to own, live, create, and engage community. Grassroots action research, planning, and PlaceKeeping activities not only address the lack of affordable spaces; it activates community solutions while also impacting capacity building of local artists of all abilities.

Chicago artists, local stakeholders learn how inclusive, accessible arts/culture engagement practices and art spaces offer long-term benefits. This demonstration project develops ideas for permanent sustainable work/live spaces where artist citizens can afford to own, live, create, and engage community. Grassroots action research, planning, and PlaceKeeping activities not only address the lack of affordable spaces; it activates community solutions while also impacting capacity building of local artists of all abilities.

Chicago artists, local stakeholders learn how inclusive, accessible arts/culture engagement practices and art spaces offer long-term benefits. This demonstration project develops ideas for permanent sustainable work/live spaces where artist citizens can afford to own, live, create, and engage community. Grassroots action research, planning, and PlaceKeeping activities not only address the lack of affordable spaces; it activates community solutions while also impacting capacity building of local artists of all abilities.

Chicago artists, local stakeholders learn how inclusive, accessible arts/culture engagement practices and art spaces offer long-term benefits. This demonstration project develops ideas for permanent sustainable work/live spaces where artist citizens can afford to own, live, create, and engage community. Grassroots action research, planning, and PlaceKeeping activities not only address the lack of affordable spaces; it activates community solutions while also impacting capacity building of local artists of all abilities.

Chicago artists, local stakeholders learn how inclusive, accessible arts/culture engagement practices and art spaces offer long-term benefits. This demonstration project develops ideas for permanent sustainable work/live spaces where artist citizens can afford to own, live, create, and engage community. Grassroots action research, planning, and PlaceKeeping activities not only address the lack of affordable spaces; it activates community solutions while also impacting capacity building of local artists of all abilities.

IMANifest Studios is a space dedicated to creative and artistic expression that will serve as an integral arts hub for Chicago Lawn and Englewood residents. IMAN's holistic model aims to support these communities by addressing the local gaps in not only arts programming, but primary and behavioral health care, workforce development and food security.

Lawndale Love Stories is a continuation of work by artist Alexie Young of Art West Chicago in partnership with the Foundation for Homan Square and IFF to share community histories of Homan Square residents. This project will archive the narratives of Homan Square residents through public space design and public art on the Homan campus to showcase identity and pride in the neighborhood.

Liberation Landing is a movement building space and collaborative partnership focused on deepening relationships with Black & Brown activists working in opposition to carceral systems.

Liberation Landing is a movement building space and collaborative partnership focused on deepening relationships with Black & Brown activists working in opposition to carceral systems.

Multigenerational Cultural Teachings through crafting.

Multigenerational Cultural Teachings through crafting.

Multigenerational Cultural Teachings through crafting.

The Mojo Garden and Performance Center is a community gathering and performance space that will have music events and curated artistic healing events for all ages to participate in. The garden is directly next door to Chicago city landmark Muddy Waters House which is a house museum.

Through arts in our community, we offer opportunities for residents to talk about how covid pandemic effected us. We offer black history classes, discussion and art show about incarceration effect on community, women of color art show, social justice workshops, vegan program/compassion for animals, mural making, gardening, and more.

Through arts in our community, we offer opportunities for residents to talk about how covid pandemic effected us. We offer black history classes, discussion and art show about incarceration effect on community, women of color art show, social justice workshops, vegan program/compassion for animals, mural making, gardening, and more.

Through arts in our community, we offer opportunities for residents to talk about how covid pandemic effected us. We offer black history classes, discussion and art show about incarceration effect on community, women of color art show, social justice workshops, vegan program/compassion for animals, mural making, gardening, and more.

Through arts in our community, we offer opportunities for residents to talk about how covid pandemic effected us. We offer black history classes, discussion and art show about incarceration effect on community, women of color art show, social justice workshops, vegan program/compassion for animals, mural making, gardening, and more.

Through arts in our community, we offer opportunities for residents to talk about how covid pandemic effected us. We offer black history classes, discussion and art show about incarceration effect on community, women of color art show, social justice workshops, vegan program/compassion for animals, mural making, gardening, and more.

Through arts in our community, we offer opportunities for residents to talk about how covid pandemic effected us. We offer black history classes, discussion and art show about incarceration effect on community, women of color art show, social justice workshops, vegan program/compassion for animals, mural making, gardening, and more.

Through arts in our community, we offer opportunities for residents to talk about how covid pandemic effected us. We offer black history classes, discussion and art show about incarceration effect on community, women of color art show, social justice workshops, vegan program/compassion for animals, mural making, gardening, and more.

A outdoor plaza space for emerging filmmakers of color to host film showings for the community, and viewings and panel discussions for alternative filmmakers.

We are a collective of South and West side organizations who work on creating space for Black and Brown people to come and build together. Plugs and Connections has connected women from across racial barriers to gather and learn about their stories through healing justice workshops, art and storytelling. Our final project entails a traveling photography, collage and Testimonio storytelling convening in mid-May.

Reclaiming Sanctuary is a visual art project that invites the students of Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School to assess and reflect on their experiences of the dual pandemics of community violence and COVID-19. Through peace circles and classroom curriculum, students will engage in dialogue about conjuncture, sanctuary, healing, justice, and legacy in order to design and create public art. The goal is to uplift the mission of the school by engaging in critical thinking and social transformation.

Rest. Rise.Move.Nourish.Heal is site-responsive dance ritual created by Founder and Artistic Director. This new work was developed in relation to the urban farm, ART ON THE FARM in GRANT PARK, a space stewarded and visually designed by Erika Allen and Urban Growers Collective. Sanders-Ward visions this work as “a practice, a process, an uncovering of the beautiful labor of bringing us ALL home to land, reclaiming ancestral cultural traditions, technologies, and tools that can lead to individual and collective healing. Vershawn Sanders-Ward in collaboration with composer/music director Avery R. Young.

The RC3 project cultivates collective well-being and efficacy through collaborative art experiences and the co-design of public artwork that celebrate the neighborhood’s history, stories, and culture.

The RC3 project cultivates collective well-being and efficacy through collaborative art experiences and the co-design of public artwork that celebrate the neighborhood’s history, stories, and culture.

The RC3 project cultivates collective well-being and efficacy through collaborative art experiences and the co-design of public artwork that celebrate the neighborhood’s history, stories, and culture.

The RC3 project cultivates collective well-being and efficacy through collaborative art experiences and the co-design of public artwork that celebrate the neighborhood’s history, stories, and culture.

The RC3 project cultivates collective well-being and efficacy through collaborative art experiences and the co-design of public artwork that celebrate the neighborhood’s history, stories, and culture.

Roots & Blooms will transform an urban community farm in the far southside community of West Pullman through the marrying of art and agriculture.

The Sankofa Story Garden is a collaboration between ConTextos and the MAAFA Redemption Project to provide a green space in the West Garfield community. As such, it is a community led initiative sphere headed by five young men known as Leadership Authors.

The Sankofa Story Garden is a collaboration between ConTextos and the MAAFA Redemption Project to provide a green space in the West Garfield community. As such, it is a community led initiative sphere headed by five young men known as Leadership Authors.

Repurposing a vacant space in the community by using art to beautify and inspire change.

In South Side gardens, artists, curators, chefs, youth, and neighbors collaborate to remediate the soil; reclaim cultural pride; create intergenerational exchange; and express Black joy.

In South Side gardens, artists, curators, chefs, youth, and neighbors collaborate to remediate the soil; reclaim cultural pride; create intergenerational exchange; and express Black joy.

In South Side gardens, artists, curators, chefs, youth, and neighbors collaborate to remediate the soil; reclaim cultural pride; create intergenerational exchange; and express Black joy.

In South Side gardens, artists, curators, chefs, youth, and neighbors collaborate to remediate the soil; reclaim cultural pride; create intergenerational exchange; and express Black joy.

South Shore Remembers is a multi-media art and social justice project inspired by oral histories of South Shore community members past and present with a special focus on the LGBTQ+ community.

The Giving Tree Mural of Humboldt Park is a collaborative artistic venture providing homage to the cultural make up of Humboldt Park and the Puerto Rican roots of the project leads Brianna Ramirez & Marco Rios; two inner-city kids striving to make an impact in their neighborhood.

TMC’s Project Synergy is a 2-part public event series sustained through the Arts Incubator Model that facilitates collaboration and innovation between artists, using the space for creative purposes. The program in the series is The Miracle Center’s Kick-Off to Summer Festival in June.

“Together We Remember Elise" honors the life and legacy of CTC’s founding member Elise Malary. As our collective and community grieves Elise, we are resolved to further our commitment to improving the health and safety of trans communities across Chicago. Through this project, we utilize the power of performance and visual art to reimagine and reclaim a Chicago in which our beloved trans sisters of color can flourish.

“Together We Remember Elise" honors the life and legacy of CTC’s founding member Elise Malary. As our collective and community grieves Elise, we are resolved to further our commitment to improving the health and safety of trans communities across Chicago. Through this project, we utilize the power of performance and visual art to reimagine and reclaim a Chicago in which our beloved trans sisters of color can flourish.

Train of Thoughts makes every storyteller their own conductor. This unique storytelling and placemaking initiative by Build Bronzeville engages and brings together Bronzeville residents by sharing important neighborhood stories against the east facade of the forum with commuters at the 43rd Street Green Line stop.

unBLOCKED educates about Chicago’s racist housing policy of Land Sale Contracts (LSC) & uses art & material resources to catalyze the transformation of an Englewood block with former LSC homes.

Urban Growers Collective (UGC) is a Black and women led 501(c)(3) organization that cultivates nourishing environments in Chicago’s historically disinvested communities, seeding pathways to freedom while supporting residents’ health, economic development, healing and creativity through urban agriculture. In partnership with Chicago Art Department, UGC will convene artists and community members to design an outdoor studio/maker space to be activated with public programming and Artist Residencies. The Studio/Maker space will be located at UGC’s South Chicago Farm located on the southern end of Chicago Park District’s Clara D Schafer Park.

WACA Bell Park uses creative placemaking and community visioning to transform the old basketball court into a new place for community gatherings, active recreation, and artistic expression.

Walls Turned Sideways is an art gallery and community center that mends separation caused by incarceration. The gallery connects incarcerated people and their communities with art and education.

We Are Albany Park is a public art project in the Albany Park Neighborhood. The project is working with small teams of artists that are paired with focus groups of community members, representing key constituencies in the neighborhood. The groups are creating five new public art installations as vehicles for community self-expression, culminating in a free outdoor event in Albany Park.

We Are Albany Park is a public art project in the Albany Park Neighborhood. The project is working with small teams of artists that are paired with focus groups of community members, representing key constituencies in the neighborhood. The groups are creating five new public art installations as vehicles for community self-expression, culminating in a free outdoor event in Albany Park.

We Are Albany Park is a public art project in the Albany Park Neighborhood. The project is working with small teams of artists that are paired with focus groups of community members, representing key constituencies in the neighborhood. The groups are creating five new public art installations as vehicles for community self-expression, culminating in a free outdoor event in Albany Park.

We Are Albany Park is a public art project in the Albany Park Neighborhood. The project is working with small teams of artists that are paired with focus groups of community members, representing key constituencies in the neighborhood. The groups are creating five new public art installations as vehicles for community self-expression, culminating in a free outdoor event in Albany Park.

This festival celebrates and activates the Garfield Park Advisory Council and West Side Cultural Arts Councils' P.L.A.N vision (People, Love, Arts and Nature). This free, community-led festival is a gathering of workshops, performances, oral histories and resources focused on nature and healing and an exploration of our connection to the Lagoons. Enjoy a day filled with creative connectedness. (Produced by Wayfinding LLC)

Creating unity between neighboring Chicago communities that have been engaged in historical disengagement or rivaling experiences. Our efforts are to initiate/inspire Racial Healing and Relationship building for future solidarity practices through co-hosting and co-planning Racial Healing circles..

Creating unity between neighboring Chicago communities that have been engaged in historical disengagement or rivaling experiences. Our efforts are to initiate/inspire Racial Healing and Relationship building for future solidarity practices through co-hosting and co-planning Racial Healing circles..

Creating unity between neighboring Chicago communities that have been engaged in historical disengagement or rivaling experiences. Our efforts are to initiate/inspire Racial Healing and Relationship building for future solidarity practices through co-hosting and co-planning Racial Healing circles..

Creating unity between neighboring Chicago communities that have been engaged in historical disengagement or rivaling experiences. Our efforts are to initiate/inspire Racial Healing and Relationship building for future solidarity practices through co-hosting and co-planning Racial Healing circles..

A summer outdoor film screening series highlighting activist history on Chicago’s West Side and featuring historical films and cinematic responses created by emerging and established BIPOC filmmakers.