How to Apply for the Creative Schools Fund
The SY 2025-26 Creative Schools Fund Application opens on August 19, 2025.
The deadline for schools to apply is September 30, 2025.
Creative Schools Fund competitive grants go directly to schools to support residencies designed by CPS teachers in collaboration with arts partners.
Grants are allocated through a competitive annual application process.
Sign up for an Info Session
If you have questions and are not able to access these virtual sessions, if you need assistance in another language, or if you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to attend or apply please contact csf@ingenuity-inc.org for assistance.
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 this 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.
Sign up here to schedule a one on one consultation about your 2025-26 Creative Schools Fund application, or to receive feedback on your 2024-25 application(s).