Arts Accelerator Grant Program

Arts Accelerator Grant Program is sponsored by Chicago Public Schools Department of Arts Education (in partnership with Ingenuity and the City of Chicago). Funds schools to create or enhance arts-related spaces supporting student engagement, social-emotional learning, or sequential arts instruction.

Invested in CPS Schools since 2013-14 Competitive Grants Awarded Creative Schools Fund: Fueling Arts Education, One Grant at a Time The Creative Schools Fund (CSF) is transforming arts education in Chicago Public Schools by putting resources directly into the hands of teachers. This innovative initiative empowers educators to design and deliver vibrant, student-centered arts programs that spark creativity and enrich learning.

With full transparency and a focus on equity, every CSF dollar is invested with purpose—supporting everything from essential supplies and artist residencies to student engagement projects and permanent arts spaces. Together, these grants are shaping a more inspiring and accessible arts education landscape across Chicago.

Supporting Arts Education in Chicago Public Schools Through the Creative Schools Fund Ingenuity Chicago is excited to unveil its inaugural Creative Schools Fund (CSF) Impact Report , celebrating 11 years of transformative arts education investments in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) from 2013 to 2024 . Ingenuity has been a driving force in reshaping arts education in CPS, investing over $21 million in schools between 2013 and 2024.

With more than 1,300 competitive grants reaching 740,000 students across 446 schools, Ingenuity’s Creative Schools Fund stands as the largest philanthropic investment in CPS arts education.

2013-2024 CSF Impact Report CSF Impact Report Summary In Tune with Impact: The Lollapalooza Arts Education Fund Ingenuity is proud to release its first interactive “scrollytelling” piece, In Tune with Impact – a dynamic, longform story with photos, quotes, and data visualizations that explores the transformative impact of the Lollapalooza Arts Education Fund (LAEF) within Chicago Public Schools and across the city.

Since 2021, LAEF has already reached 99 CPS schools across 52 community areas, impacting more than 65,000 students. With support from LAEF, schools are making significant strides in access to arts education – the number of dance courses offered more than tripled, from 106 to 329 courses. Thirty-one additional arts instructors were hired in these schools, significantly improving arts staffing across the district.

Together, this powerful partnership between Lollapalooza and Ingenuity demonstrates what’s possible when creativity, commitment, and community unite to build a vibrant and equitable future for arts education in Chicago. Explore In Tune with Impact Before this grant, there was no musical theater program at George Westinghouse College Prep.

Thanks to Ingenuity’s support through the Creative Schools Fund, Porchlight Music Theatre provided a teaching artist who helped facilitate lessons and theatre technology support, and students have been able to put on two annual productions complete with sets, costumes, lighting, and sound each year. The multi-year funding has allowed us to make long-term investments in costumes, props, and set pieces.

This grant hasn’t just introduced theater to our students—it’s built a lasting foundation for the future.

” — George Westinghouse College Prep, Multi-Semester Lollapalooza Arts Education Fund Grantee The Creative Schools Fund made it possible for us to bring in a teaching artist from the Old Town School of Folk Music to work with our first and third graders on a dance routine that helped them express themselves, manage emotions, and engage in a safe, energetic way.

By collaborating with our PE teacher, we were able to double students’ weekly arts minutes and introduce dance as a new discipline — expanding their creative experiences beyond the visual arts they typically receive. This partnership brought both structure and joy into their school day. ” — Edward A.

Bouchet Math & Science Academy ES, Single Semester Creative Schools Fund Grantee For years, our students asked for a tap program, but we didn’t have the resources—until we received support from Ingenuity’s Creative Schools Fund. Partnering with the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, we introduced tap dance for the first time. Now, our students aren’t just learning a new art form—they’re gaining confidence by performing in front of others.

This grant turned a long-standing dream into a reality. ” — Catalyst Circle Rock Charter School, Multi-Semester Lollapalooza Arts Education Fund Grantee 2025-26 Creative Schools Fund Single-Semester grantees 2024-25 Creative Schools Fund Grants 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.