State: IL

Free Spirit Media’s ArtsHERE grant will fund a "Reimagining Evaluation" project to create new evaluation tools rooted in storytelling, reflection, social justice, and equity. Free Spirit Media partners with young storytellers to transform media and society, with programming that focuses on community-building, skill-sharing, and career and education pathways that support young people to envision and build their futures within the media industry and beyond.

The Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center’s ArtsHERE grant will support a five-year strategic planning process, including cultural strategy training and a study series for local artists and community leaders.  Founded in 2001, UCIMC has transformed a historic post office into a community media and arts center, supporting various community programs and fiscally sponsoring over 60 organizations. The Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center’s mission is to foster the creation and distribution of media and art that highlight underrepresented voices and perspectives, and to promote empowerment and expression through media and arts education.

Third Coast International Audio Festival (TCIAF) is seeking $4,000.00 to produce and screen an audio reel and an artist and curator panel in Chicago at the conclusion of our 2024-25 Third Coast Competition.

In October 2024, the Museum will host The Blind Swine Speakeasy, featuring two nights of music and cultural activities tied to local Prohibition-era history. The grant supports bluegrass singer EmiSunshine and swing musicians Gina DeGregorio and Paul Asaro. Guests can participate in educational activities designed to immerse them in the celebrations and challenges of 1920s and 30s rural life.

Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble’s Body Passages residency program will unite 10 dance, visual, theatre, and poetry activist artists and give space for creating new individual and collaborative works. Artists will have professional development opportunities to learn from each other, lead master classes, and present their works in a final performance and visual art gallery.

We are organizing a community concert series that brings together world-renowned artists to celebrate Jazz, Blues, Hip Hop, and Soul, featuring educational workshops and performances accessible to all, including underserved communities.

In a time when “good enough” seems to be the norm, Global Girls trumpets the belief that originality blended with creative discipline is our superpower. Community members in Chicago’s southside and Kalamazoo’s northside will explore and participate in the creative process in workshops and performances led by and featuring internationally renown pianist and composer Miguel De La Cerna.

In celebration of what would have been the 100th birthday of James Baldwin, the Hyde Park Jazz Festival will collaborate with the Hyde Park Art Center (HPAC) and Chicago poet laureate avery r young to create a jazz and spoken word performance in connection with the HPAC's exhibition of Chicago artist Robert Earl Paige. The performance will be part of the 2024 Hyde Park Jazz Festival on Sept. 28th.

The SPECTRA Reading Series invites established poets and writers from around the country to share the stage with local/regional writers, as a means of showcasing local talent and celebrating the literary arts in our community. From its start in 2012, SPECTRA events are held at the celebrated venue Rozz-Tox in Rock Island, IL, and are always free and open to the public.

Grant funds choreographers for two musicals in our 2024-25 season: ”Bright Star” (December 2024) and “Dream Girls” (April 2025). As culturally authentic dance is an integral aspect of these productions, this grant will assure the integrity and success of these productions. Drama Group elevates our community by supporting local, diverse talent. Ensuring this tradition is imperative.