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Individual Artists Program (IAP) is a grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events that funds practicing artists, artisans, curators, and cultural producers living in Chicago. The program provides direct financial support to individual artists to pursue their creative work, with no requirement to complete a specific project with the funds. Applicants must demonstrate residency in Chicago.
Eligible applicants are practicing artists and cultural producers who are residents of the City of Chicago, Illinois, with proof of residency required. Awards are available up to $6,000.
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# City of Chicago :: Individual Artists Program (IAP) Get the new, updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines. They're safe, effective, and can be taken together. Learn more at Chicago.
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DCASE Home* DCASE Calendar * Cultural Grants Program * Quick Links;)Chicago Cultural Center Visual Arts Program Chicago Monuments Project Chicago Poet Laureate Program DCASE Archived Newsletters Special Event Permit Application * Apr 15, 2026 - City Council Confirms Kenya Merritt as Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Commissioner * Apr 14, 2026 - City of Chicago Announces Lineup for 2026 Chicago Blues Festival, June 4-7 * Mar 19, 2026 - Mayor Brandon Johnson Appoints Deputy Mayor Kenya Merritt as Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Commissioner * Mar 10, 2026 - Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Announces 2026 Spring and Summer Slate at the Historic Chicago Cultural Center * Jan 27, 2026 - Mayor Brandon Johnson and DCASE Announce Dates for Blockbuster Lineup of 2026 Festivals and Events * FOIA Request Log — Cultural Affairs and Special Events 3.
Cultural Affairs and Special Events 5. Individual Artists Program (IAP) # Individual Artists Program (IAP) Arts Relief Fund ProgramIndividual Artists Program (IAP)Neighborhood Access Program (NAP)CityArts ProgramChicago Presents ## The 2026 Individual Artists Program (IAP) application is now closed. **For reference information, consult the 2026 IAP materials below.
** ## Current IAP Grantees: Please note that 2025 IAP Final Reports are pending. **You will receive an email when the report is ready to complete with an updated deadline.
** 2026 Individual Artists Program (IAP) Application 2026 Individual Artists Program Guidelines (PDF) 2026 Individual Artists Program Guidelines - Spanish (PDF) The Individual Artists Program (IAP) aims to assist Chicago's practicing artists in creating work that develops their craft and elevates their careers, while adding to the cultural vitality of the city of Chicago.
IAP grants support artists across all artistic disciplines including Film & Media Arts, Literary Arts, Music, Performing Arts (Theater/Dance), and Visual Arts/Design. Visit this page for the most up-to-date list of application assistance opportunities. **Jump to Program Requirements** Current valid proof of Chicago residency is a requirement for this program, and only certain forms of ID are accepted.
Plan early if you need to renew or update your Chicago residential address. **2026 Individual Artists Program application deadline is Thursday, January 15, 2026 at noon CT. ** **No extensions will be granted.
** Register to attend an online general information session or workshop on the 2026 IAP grant program. _**All applicants are highly encouraged to attend a virtual IAP webinar. **_ **2026 IAP Information Sessions** Join DCASE grant team members for an online info session on the 2026 Individual Artists Program (IAP).
This will cover general information and updates to the 2026 grant program. All info sessions will present the same material. * Tuesday, December 9 | 11 a.
m. - 12:30 p. m.
CT | **View Recording** (Info Session) * Thursday, December 18 | 1-2:30 p. m. CT | (Info Session presented in Spanish) * RESCHEDULED: Tuesday, January 6 | 3-4:30 p.
m. CT | **View Recording** * Wednesday, January 7 | 3-4:30 p. m.
CT | **View Recording** (Info Session) * Friday, December 12 | 11 a. m. - noon CT | **View Recording** (Budget Workshop) 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 **CulturalGrantMaking@cityofchicago.
org** for assistance. Webinars will be recorded and shared as a resource, and AI notetakers will not be admitted Applicants do not need to attend a webinar to apply. Meet with a DCASE staff member to discuss or ask questions about your Individual Artists Program application.
Advance registration is not required. Sessions are first-come, first-served. * **Chicago Cultural Center, Conference Room 408, 4th Floor South**, 78 E.
Washington St. | Wednesday, December 10 | 10 a. m.
- noon CT * **Chicago Cultural Center, Conference Room 408, 4th Floor South**, 78 E. Washington St. | Tuesday, December 16 | 10 a.
m. - noon CT * **Chicago Public Library, Little Village**, 2311 S. Kedzie Ave.
| Monday, January 5 | 1:30-3:30 p. m. CT * **Chicago Public Library, Portage-Cragin**, 5108 W.
Belmont Ave. | Monday, January 5 | 5:30-7:30 p. m.
CT * **Chicago Public Library, Archer Heights**, 5055 S. Archer Ave. | Tuesday, January 6 | 10:30 a.
m. - 12:30 p. m.
CT * **Chicago Public Library, South Shore**, 2505 E. 73rd Street | Friday, January 9 | 2-4 p. m.
CT * **Kusanya Café**, 825 W. 69th St. | Friday, January 9 | 10 a.
m. - noon CT * **Chicago Cultural Center, Conference Room 408, 4th Floor South**, 78 E. Washington St.
| Wednesday, January 14 | 11 a. m. - 1 p.
m. CT Individual Artists Program (IAP) Grants support the creation, development, or presentation of artwork and professional development. Grants support artists across all artistic disciplines including: * Performing Arts (Theater/Dance) * **Apply by January 15, 2026 at noon CT.
** * DCASE anticipates making 200 - 250 grants through this program. * We anticipate funding approximately 15-20% of applicants. * **Artists must take one year off from applying after being selected for an IAP grant.
2025 IAP grantees are not eligible to apply. ** * We will prioritize funding applicants that did not receive other support from DCASE in 2023 or 2024. * DCASE’s Cultural Grants Program strives for an equitable distribution of artistic services across the city and will prioritize projects created by residents of community areas which have been historically under-resourced.
* We will accept requests up to $6,000. [](https://www. chicago.
gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/iap. html) To be eligible to apply for funding from the Individual Artists Program, applicants must meet each of the following criteria: * Be a practicing artist, artisan, curator, or cultural producer.
* Be a resident of the city of Chicago, Illinois (proof of Chicago residency is required – must provide a current valid Illinois Driver’s License, State ID or Chicago CityKey with applicant name and Chicago street address). **No other proof of Chicago residency will be accepted. No P.
O. Boxes. ** * Be at least 18 years old * Be able to complete a grant contract with the City of Chicago and to receive grant funds as taxable income * Must not be enrolled **full time** in undergraduate college/university studies of any kind.
Additional requirements apply. For more detailed information on applicant and project eligibility, review the 2026 IAP Guidelines. **IMPORTANT: Additional Notes on Proof of Residency** Applicants are highly recommended to plan ahead if updates to your ID are needed.
**Consider going in-person to a facility that can issue same-day. ** As reminder, a valid temporary ID with Chicago residential address and expiration date is acceptable for submission to IAP. If updating your ID online, be sure to account for time needed to receive your updated ID by mail.
**Office of the Illinois Secretary of State** **City of Chicago CityKey** **Event****Dates****Description** **Application Opens****December 9, 2025**Access application and guidelines at **ChicagoCulturalGrants. org** **Application Deadline****January 15, 2026 at noon CT****No extensions will be granted. ** **Notifications**By May 31, 2026 All applications will be notified via email.
**Contracting Period**July 2026 Grant agreement and forms must be filed. **Payments Disbursed**TBD - By Year-End 2026**This is a projected payment timeline that is subject to change. All payments will be disbursed in 2026.
** **Final Reports**One month following end of grant period Reports will be completed electronically. Grantees will receive an email communication to confirm their report deadline. _The DCASE Individual Artists Program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.
_ **Chicago Cultural Center** **DCASE Calendar of Events** **Facebook****InstagramYouTubeLinkedIn** Choose Chicago Festival & Event Guide Daley Plaza Events Calendar [](https://www. facebook. com/profile.
php? id=100092157126212 "Facebook")[](https://twitter. com/chicagosmayor "Twitter")[](https://www.
youtube. com/user/cityofchicagotv "Youtube")
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Practicing artists, artisans, curators, or cultural producers who are residents of the city of Chicago, Illinois (proof of residency required). Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Up to $6,000 Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
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Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.