How to Apply for the Creative Schools Fund
SY26-27 Creative Schools Fund Grant Applications are now open. The application deadline is September 25, 2026.
Creative Schools Fund grants go directly to schools to support 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.
The Creative Schools Fund will offer two types of competitive grants for the SY26-27 School year. Schools can apply for and receive both grant types.
Partnership Residency Grants
- Up to $10,000
- 1 application per school
- Schools must work in collaboration with an arts organization or independent teaching artist
- We recommend that you draft your application narrative using this template that can be shared between the school and the arts partner prior to inputting the information in the Submittable application.
Arts Teacher Grants
- Up to $5,000
- Special Project Grants for arts teachers
- 1 application per arts teacher
Please review the grant program guidelines before applying.
Sign up for an Info Session to learn more:
- Monday, September 14 from 4:00 – 5:30pm
Sign up here to schedule a one on one consultation about your 2026-27 Creative Schools Fund application, or to receive feedback on your 2025-26 application(s).
Click HERE to View a Recording of an Info Session
Creative Schools Fund Timeline
| TIMELINE | |
| August 17, 2026 | Applications open and guidelines become available |
| August 20, 2026, 4 – 5:30pm | CSF Information Session #1 (zoom) This session will be recorded. |
| August 27, 2026, 4 – 5:30pm | CSF Information Session #2 (zoom) |
| September 14, 2026, 4 – 5:30pm | CSF Information Session #3 (zoom) |
| September 17, 2026 | Ingenuity Fall Summit |
| September 25, 2026 | School application deadline
School must submit an application by this deadline in order for arts partner application to be considered |
| October 2, 2026 | Partner application deadline |
| Late December 2026 | Grant Decisions Communicated |
| February 2027 | Funds transferred |
| March 2027 – June 2027 | Program/Project Implementation |
| June 11, 2027 | Grant Report Due |
Key Points
All grants support arts courses and programming taking place during the school day.
Partnership Residency Grants
- We will accept requests up to $10,000.
- 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.
- Each proposal must include an application submitted by the arts partner in addition to the application submitted by the school.
- Each school can submit one application per year.
- There is no limit to the number of applications for arts partners.
- Based on prior year statistics, we anticipate making approximately 70 grants this year and funding 40% – 50% of applications.
Arts Teacher Grants
- We will accept requests up to $5,000.
- Teachers can submit proposals to support what they and their students think they need most for their school community to excel in the arts.
- Grants can support teacher-led art projects, equipment upgrades and other projects that are not supported through regular school budgets.
- Each arts teacher can submit one application per year.
- We anticipate making approximately 70 grants this year.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to apply for a Creative Schools Fund Partnership Residency grant, schools and arts partners must meet the following criteria:
Schools
- Must be a district-managed or non district-managed Chicago Public School.
- Creative Schools Survey must be completed by a school’s arts liaison.
- There must be a principal nominated Arts Liaison at the school.
- 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.
- Arts Partner must complete all requirements for prior Creative Schools Fund grants.
- All Arts Partners must apply to the CPS Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Arts Education Services (Specification No. 26-1355) by September 11 at 2:00pm.