How to Apply for the Creative Schools Fund
SY26-27 Creative Schools Fund Grant Applications are now closed.
Contact csf@ingenuity-inc.org with any questions.
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 November 6 at 2:00pm.