City of Chicago and DCASE Announce 2025 CityArts Grantees

CityArts Program continues to expand support for arts organizations citywide

CHICAGO - Mayor Brandon Johnson and the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) today announced the 2025 CityArts grant recipients, with more than 300 nonprofit arts and culture organizations receiving a combined total of over $6M in general operating support this year. The total number of organizations receiving CityArts grants has increased to approximately 300 awards from 200 since 2021. The investment reinforces DCASE's long-standing commitment to the arts as a driver of community vitality, economic growth and civic pride.

"The arts are essential to the soul of our city and to the health of our neighborhoods," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "Through the CityArts program, we are uplifting the creativity and resilience that define Chicago. These grants help ensure that every community has access to the transformative power of art, while supporting the organizations that make Chicago's cultural landscape second to none."

"CityArts grants are an investment in the people and organizations that fuel creativity and inspire connection," said DCASE Acting Commissioner Kenya Merritt. "By prioritizing general operating support, we are strengthening the foundation for artists and cultural organizations in every neighborhood to grow, thrive and continue making Chicago a world-class city for the arts."

The CityArts program provides critical funding to Chicago-based nonprofit organizations of all sizes, helping sustain the city's vibrant and diverse cultural ecosystem. This year's awards include 184 renewals and 119 new recipients. The number of grantees continues to rise, with 2025 showing an increase from 279 recipients in 2024.

A broad range of Chicago's creative community are reflected in the 2025 CityArts grantees. Some of this year's recipients include Chicago Humanities Festival, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Chicago Tap Theatre, Hyde Park Art Center, Intonation Music, Kuumba Lynx, the League of Chicago Theatres Foundation, the National Museum of Mexican Art, Red Clay Dance Company and True Star Foundation, among many others. These organizations represent a wide variety of artistic disciplines and continue to build bridges across neighborhoods, generations and cultures.

The CityArts' budget grew from $1.7 million in 2021 to $7.5 million with American Recovery Plan support in 2023. The program now remains steady at $6 million in both 2024 and 2025. This consistency reflects the City's ongoing commitment to sustaining Chicago's arts ecosystem, even as federal and private pandemic era funding declines. Participants in DCASE's 2021 community outreach initiative identified general operating support for nonprofits as the top funding priority. In response, DCASE has increased grant amounts - evolving from one-time awards from $2,000 to $25,000 to renewable grants ranging between $10,000 and $50,000.

Forty-four percent of 2025 grantees are based on the South and West sides, maintaining progress in geographic equity and representation. Additionally, 81 percent of 2025 recipients have annual revenues under $1 million, underscoring DCASE's ongoing focus on smaller and emerging organizations that often serve as vital anchors for local arts communities.

For a full list of 2025 CityArts grant recipients and more information about DCASE funding opportunities, visit our website.

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Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago's 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city - to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the city's most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city - serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago. For details, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE and stay connected via our newsletters and social media.