How to Apply for the Creative Schools Fund
Creative Schools Fund competitive grants go directly to schools to support residencies designed by CPS teachers in collaboration with arts partners.
SY2025-26 Grant Applications are now closed.
Applications for the 2026-27 school year will open in August 2026 and must be completed by September 25, 2026 for support of programs taking place March – June 2027.
Info Session
View a Recording of an Info Session: You can access the recording at this link with password ArtsEd2025!.
Creative School Fund Timeline
| TIMELINE | |
| August 19, 2025 | Application opens |
| August 26, 2025, 4 – 5:30pm |
CSF Information Session #1 (zoom) This session will be recorded. |
| September 4, 2025, 4 – 5:30pm | CSF Information Session #2 (zoom) |
| September 8, 2025, 4 – 5:30pm | CSF Information Session #3 (zoom) |
| September 17, 2025 | Ingenuity Fall Summit |
| September 30, 2025 | School application deadline |
| October 7, 2025 | Partner application deadline |
| Late December 2025 | Grant Decisions Communicated |
| February 2026 | Funds transferred |
| March 2026 – June 2026 | Program Implementation |
| June 5, 2026 | Grant Report Due |
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to apply for a Creative Schools Fund grant, schools and arts partners must meet the following criteria:
Schools
- Creative Schools Survey must be completed by a school’s arts liaison.
- Schools cannot receive funds through a CSF multi-year grant during the 2025-26 school year.
- Schools must act as the lead applicant and there must be a principal nominated Arts Liaison at the school to lead the application process.
- Schools must complete all reporting requirements for prior Creative Schools Fund grants.
Arts Partners
- If working with a CPS district managed school(s), arts partners must have an active vendor ID number and be in good standing with CPS Procurement.
- Arts Partner must complete supplier attestation when asked by CPS Procurement.
- artlook® profiles must be up-to-date and complete.
CSF Key Points
- We will accept requests up to $10,000.
- Grants go directly to schools.
- Grants support multi-week arts partner in-school residencies taking place during the school day.
- Residencies are co-designed by school staff and arts partners.
- Schools can only submit one application per cycle.
- There is no limit to the number of applications for arts partners, but we anticipate making no more than three grants per arts partner each cycle.
- Based on prior year statistics, we anticipate funding 40% – 50% of applications.
- Grants prioritize schools with the least systemic arts access and projects bring immediate arts programs to students – supporting Ingenuity’s mission to ensure that every student, in every grade, in every Chicago Public School, has access to high quality arts as part of a well-rounded education.