Creative Placemaking Grant Program

Creative Placemaking Grant Program is sponsored by Cook County Arts. Provides grants to nonprofit organizations leading collaborative creative placemaking projects across Cook County suburbs.

Creative Placemaking - Cook County Arts In July 2025, Cook County Arts awarded over a dozen suburban nonprofit organizations with creative placemaking grants ranging from $50,000 to $250,000. Funding will support these nonprofits in leading transformative, community-driven art projects in their suburban communities.

After a 12-person review panel assessed the 100+ applicants, selected grantees were chosen based on the strengths of their proposed projects, program requirements, and placemaking objectives. Cook County Arts has partnered with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Chicago to manage the grant application process, conduct peer-to-peer learning circles, and provide technical assistance to grantees as they implement their projects.

Berwyn Development Corporation Cornerstone Community Development Corporation SGA Youth & Family Services Public Mural and Literacy through the Arts ARTSiE, in partnership with the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, is engaging students and families in arts-based programming designed to improve learning outcomes while fostering creativity, connection and personal growth.

The project also supported the creation of the center’s first public mural, bringing together youth, seniors and community members through collaborative workshops and intergenerational engagement to celebrate cultural diversity, environmental stewardship, and community pride.

Other Project Team Members: Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center “ ARTSiE is supporting the beautification of public spaces while helping to tell the stories that matter most, stories of resilience, joy, and collective memory that define this community. The mural is more than a visual landmark; it’s a living reflection of the people who call the 5th Ward home.

“ – Karen Michelle Perkins, Community and Arts Division Manager, City of Evanston Parks and Recreation Department Berwyn Arts Plaza: An Artist's Third Space Berwyn Development Corporation The Berwyn Development Corporation is advancing plans for the Berwyn Arts Park by conducting a series of community polls and engagement activities to gather resident input on featured artists, mural concepts and the future vision for the space.

Guided by priorities identified in the 2024 economic recovery plan, the project will transform a vacant property into a vibrant arts plaza with opportunities for public art, live performances, artistic workshops and community events, strengthening cultural engagement and neighborhood revitalization.

Community members are invited to join the celebration event at the Berwyn Arts Park, located at 6209 Roosevelt Road, on Friday, September 25th, at 10 AM. Other Project Team Members: North Berwyn Park District “We imagine using the space as a gallery for public art, including sculptures, murals, uniquely designed seating areas and other creative displays of Berwyn’s strong art community.

We could even facilitate art education, classes, workshops and other artisan programming on site. The opportunities are endless.

” – Sabine Krauss, President, Berwyn Public Art Initiative Brookfield Shops at Progress Park - Creating Community and Fostering Economic Growth Through the Arts The Village of Brookfield successfully completed enhancements to Brookfield Shops, an innovative retail incubator and community gathering space at Progress Park, creating a stronger platform for artists, makers, and small businesses.

Through the project, local artists created new public artwork and the space was renovated with an improved courtyard and amenities for performances and community events, strengthening opportunities for artists, entrepreneurs and residents to connect. Read the Brookfield Shops grantee spotlight.

Other Project Team Members: Village of Brookfield Community Development Office Brookfield Chamber of Commerce Brookfield Theater Corporation “Creative placemaking projects like The Brookfield Shops represent a meaningful opportunity to transform an underutilized public space into a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient art-inclusive gathering place for small business development and community connection.

” – Brian Sharenow, President, Brookfield Chamber of Commerce Ford Heights Neighborhood Beautification & Transformative Project Cornerstone Community Development Corporation Cornerstone Community Development Corporation successfully completed a public art and placemaking project at its headquarters in Ford Heights, installing a mural that highlights themes of resilience, growth and shared heritage while celebrating the community’s identity and transformation.

The project also included complementary landscaping, public art elements and enhancements to the organization’s hydroponic farm campus, creating a welcoming community space that promotes neighborhood pride, environmental stewardship, food access and resident engagement.

Other Project Team Members: Higher Heights Initiative “ The mural and public art installations will stand not only as symbols of resilience and aspiration but also as catalysts for economic opportunities, improved physical spaces, and strengthened community ties across Ford Heights and Chicago Heights.

” – Cornerstone Community Development Corporation A Mural Titled "Confluence: At Home on Glenview's West Fork" The Village of Glenview is progressing the development of a large mixed-media mural celebrating the natural beauty and seasonal ecology of the West Fork of the North Branch of the Chicago River while creating a unique artistic feature that enhances and highlights Downtown Glenview.

Working in partnership with community organizations and residents of all ages, the project is engaging participants throughout the mural’s design and creation process, resulting in a collaborative public artwork that showcases local wildlife, promotes environmental stewardship, and strengthens community connection.

Join us to celebrate the project with a ribbon-cutting event on Monday, September 14, from 4-5pm, at 1746 Glenview Road, Glenview, Illinois. Other Project Team Members: Grove Interpretive Center Friends of Downtown Glenview “The Village of Glenview’s project will bring beauty and energy to our revitalizing downtown.

” – Linda Felter, President, Friends of Downtown Glenview Playful Learning Landscapes at Homewood Science Center: Expanding Equitable STEAM Learning Through Interactive Public Spaces The Homewood Science Center, in partnership with Playful Learning Landscapes and local artists, has transformed its indoor and outdoor spaces into interactive STEAM learning environments that encourage scientific inquiry, creativity, movement and problem-solving.

The project included the development of a community-inspired mural led by artist Janelle Dunlap and the creation of a pollinator garden, enhancing opportunities for hands-on learning, family engagement, and community connection while supporting the center’s role as a hub for arts and science education. Read a detailed overview of the project.

Other Project Team Members: Playful Learning Landscapes Charlie Rohrer (local artist, STEAM educator) Ramon Gonzalez (landscape designer) “The proposed enhancements integrate interactive play-based learning elements into the outdoor space and align with our vision of fostering an engaging, accessible and vibrant environment for residents and visitors alike.

This project is about more than murals and movement, it’s about strengthening the fabric of our community. ” It Takes A Village Community Farm: Cultivating Community Through Art Just Roots is enhancing It Takes A Village Farm, a three-acre community greenspace that grows and distributes fresh produce to residents using organic and regenerative farming practices.

The project includes the creation of murals and a paved community gathering space through collaborations with local artists, designers and community groups, strengthening the farm’s capacity to host arts, cultural programming and community events while fostering connection and neighborhood engagement. Join us for a celebratory ribbon-cutting event on Wednesday, September 30, from 10am to 1pm, at 2500 223rd Street in Sauk Village, IL.

Other Project Team Members: “There is tremendous opportunity in Sauk Village and the surrounding area to use the existing farmland base to address food insecurity. It Takes a Village Community Farm will demonstrate the opportunity in real time: building community; addressing food insecurity; activating commodities farmland for food production; and providing an economic use that prevents farmland from being converted to development.

” Illinois State Director, The Conservation Fund Welcome Back to Main Street: A Community Mural for Evanston The Open Studio Project is creating a community-inspired mural at 727 Main Street, in Evanston, replacing a deteriorated mural with a new one that reflects local values, experiences and collective identity.

Through workshops, forums and engagement activities with artists, students and community members, the mural is currently in development, with community input helping to shape its design and strengthen neighborhood connection and pride. Join us for a celebratory ribbon cutting event on Saturday, September 19, from 1-3pm at 727 Main Street in Evanston.

Other Project Team Members: Edwige Massart & Xavier Wynn (creative team co-leads, mosaic/multimedia muralists) Oscar Joyo (creative team lead, muralist) “Bringing shoppers back, and bringing a sense of renewal to Main Street is paramount after five battering years. A mural with the location and scope that Open Studio is planning would be amazing, and an important step toward this goal.

” Executive Director, Main-Dempster Mile Harvey Community Art Initiative Murals Restoration Ministries, through the Harvey Community Arts Initiative, is engaging residents, Golden Street artists and City of Harvey Mayor Shirley Drewenski’s team in the creation of a community-centered mural at City Hall that celebrates Harvey’s resilience, power of believing and history.

The project also includes the development of a community arts walkway with landscaping enhancements designed to support public art, community gathering and outdoor performances, creating vibrant and welcoming spaces for residents and visitors.

Other Project Team Members: Restoration Ministries’ Sullivan Arts Center Thornton Township High School United Way Neighborhood Network The University of Chicago “Through creativity, we seek to address systemic challenges, foster a sense of identity and catalyze community-driven change. These murals will not only enhance the visual landscape but also serve as symbols of resilience, history, and hope for the community.

” ArtSPARK Community Garden The Riverdale Park District is creating the ArtSPARK Community Garden and ARTSPark Art Center, a community hub designed to provide immersive experiences in art, gardening, podcasting and multimedia for residents of all ages.

Development is underway on key project features, including community garden spaces, pollinator gardens, an artist gallery, community mural areas, an art pavilion for creative programming and workshops, and restroom upgrades that will improve accessibility and support increased community use of the site. Join us for a celebratory ribbon-cutting event on Saturday, August 29, from 12:30-3:30pm, at Riverdale Park, located at 151 W.

137th St in Riverdale, IL.

Other Project Team Members: Special Recreation Services of Sertoma Star (SRS) Cynthia Gilmore (community activist and Riverdale resident) Michael McNicholas, (Executive Director of SRS and Assistant Professor Therapeutic Recreation at Chicago State University) Mikaela Lopez (Americorp) Dorothy Burge (multimedia artist and community activist) Brian Gay (former staffer, Youth Guidance’s Digital Art and Graphic Design programs) Lori Bortnick (artist, educator) “The ArtSPARK Community Garden will provide numerous benefits, including fostering community engagement, promoting environmental sustainability and offering educational opportunities.

The garden will serve as a peaceful retreat for residents, encouraging physical activity and social interaction, while the art installations and workshops will stimulate creativity and cultural appreciation. ” – Dr. Michael J.

McNicholas, CTRS, Special Recreation Services of Sertoma Star Services The 1100 Project: Grow, Gather, Thrive The Village of Maywood is making progress on the transformation of the historic “1100 Building” into a community hub for food, fellowship and economic opportunity.

Project development is underway on key features including a commercial kitchen, an outdoor dining space and a community garden, creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs, families and community organizations to gather, learn and thrive while advancing neighborhood revitalization and economic growth.

Other Project Team Members: LaJuan “Wanda” Wade (co-founder, DLD for Youth) SD89 Education Foundation Pastor Annette Barker (faith and community leader) “This project is not just about developing a physical space—it’s about transforming a long-vacant building into a vibrant, inclusive cultural hub that reflects the identity, history, and aspirations of Maywood.

Arts and culture will be woven throughout the project’s design and activation. ” – SD89 Education Foundation Community Garden & Art Installation SGA Youth & Family Services The Summit Together Creative Placemaking initiative engaged residents of all ages in activities that foster belonging, creativity, and community pride through gardening and public art.

Garden revitalization efforts took place at local community spaces at Summit and Argo parks, while youth, seniors and artists collaborated on decorative garden features and the development of a public mural exploring themes of civic engagement and identity, creating lasting opportunities for community connection and neighborhood beautification.

Other Project Team Members: “The initiative will change the physical appearance of two essential public spaces through gardening, art, and mosaics, making them vibrant and visually connected.

We expect that through community vision boarding sessions, gardening, mosaics, and the mural, participants will express a positive change in feelings of belonging and connection within the community, and more residents will utilize these gathering spaces.

” – SGA Youth & Family Services Grantee Spotlight: Homewood Science Center going full ‘STEAM’ ahead with new exhibits Read how the Homewood Science Center is blending art, science, and community collaboration through interactive exhibits, a new pollinator garden, and youth-led creative projects supported by a 2025 Creative Placemaking grant. What is Creative Placemaking?

Creative placemaking (or placekeeping, when focused on protecting the distinctiveness of place) integrates arts, culture and design activities into efforts that strengthen communities. In disinvested neighborhoods, it guides residents’ efforts to make social, physical and economic changes in their communities through arts and culture.

Such efforts might include renovating a historic theater, building affordable live-work spaces for artists, or transforming vacant lots into lively gathering places or community exhibition sites. In suburban Cook County, creative placemaking work will support ongoing initiatives to further economic development, advance equity and uplift the creative sector. Looking for more examples?

Check out the links below: LISC Creative Placemaking: Getting Started National Endowment for the Arts This grant opportunity is now closed. If you have questions about creative placemaking or Cook County Arts, email info@cookcountyarts. org .