How Granting Works

Participatory Grant Making

As the largest direct investment supporting arts education in Chicago Public Schools, the Creative Schools Fund administers funds through an open and transparent process. Decisions are guided by a Review Committee composed of arts practitioners, educators, experts, teachers and Teaching Artists, and practicing artists. Member reflect the demographics of Chicago’s public schools, every arts discipline, and a cross-section of roles within the arts education sector – ensuring grant decisions are objective and fair.

Feedback from grantees gathered during program visits, reports, and sessions open to the public is gathered, considered, and applied to changes in strategy and process in the next granting year.

Want to get involved? Contact us to identify opportunities to volunteer!

What CSF Funds

Projects range from small grants to buy art supplies to larger, multi-year grants for arts residencies, capital projects to build dedicated arts spaces in a school, and teacher learning, skill-building, and curriculum development. Click here to find out more about CSF impact.