Neighborhood Access Program (NAP)

Neighborhood Access Program (NAP) is sponsored by City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE). The Neighborhood Access Program (NAP) supports the cultural vitality of every Chicago neighborhood via grant programs and partnerships designed to be responsive to the complex needs of individual communities.

The goal of the Neighborhood Access Program (NAP) is to support the cultural vitality of every Chicago neighborhood via grant programs and partnerships designed to be responsive to the complex needs of individual communities. This program will offer direct grants for all types of place-based arts and culture activities. The first step is simple!

Submit your idea for an arts or culture project in your neighborhood with some basic information about you. Review the NAP guidelines for details, including updated contract requirements for awarded grantees. Refer back to this page for the most up to date information and application assistance opportunities below.

Please email **CulturalGrantMaking@cityofchicago. org** for questions. Choose ONE of three ways to share your idea with us: 1) Narrative: Provide a brief written description of your idea.

2) Recording: Provide a 5-minute video or audio recording describing your idea. (Video does not need to be highly edited. Phone videos are fine!)

3) PDF/JPEG file upload: Provide a PowerPoint or other presentation with images and text describing your idea.

* **Why** you want to do this project * **What** you hope to accomplish * **Who** will be involved * **When** and **where** it might take place If you need assistance in another language, and/or if you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to apply please contact **CulturalGrantMaking@cityofchicago. org** before the deadline for assistance.

_IMPORTANT: Due to changes in the CyberGrants platform, fewer types of files can be uploaded. Any video files must be provided as links, and links must be accessible without signing in with an account. Account-based file sharing websites like Dropbox or Google Drive cannot be accepted.

Refer to NAP guidelines for more details. _ The DCASE Cultural Grants team is excited to provide a variety of opportunities to learn about the Neighborhood Access Program and receive application support. Information sessions will give an overview of the NAP program, review what is needed to apply, and briefly introduce the online application system.

Both information sessions will cover the same material. The Ideas Application webinar will cover a more detailed look into the Ideas application, beyond the Neighborhood Access Program overview information session. 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** Webinars will be recorded and posted for reference. **In-Person Application Assistance Sessions** DCASE staff will be available for general NAP questions and drop-in application support at various community locations. No appointment or RSVP necessary.

Assistance will be provided on a first come, first served basis. * **Chicago Cultural Center, Learning Lab, 1st Floor,** 78 E. Washington St.

| Tuesday, June 9 | 10 a. m. – Noon CT * **National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture,** 3015 W.

Division St. , Wednesday, June 10 | 4-6 p. m.

* **Little Village Branch, Chicago Public Library,** 2311 S. Kedzie Ave. | Friday, June 12 | Noon - 2 p.

m. * **Pullman Branch, Chicago Public Library,** 11001 S. Indiana Ave.

| Wednesday, June 17 | 11:30 a. m. - 1:30 p.

m. * **South Shore Branch, Chicago Public Library,** 2505 E. 73rd St.

| Wednesday, June 17 | 3-5 p. m. * **Kusanya Cafe,** 825 W.

69th St. , Wednesday, June 24 | 9:30-11:30 a. m.

* **Chicago Cultural Center Conference Room 408, 4th Floor South,** 78 E. Washington St. | Friday, June 26 | Noon - 2 p.

m. * **Douglass Park Creative Space, Chicago Park District,** 1401 S. Sacramento Dr. | Saturday, June 27 | 10 a.

m. - Noon To be eligible to apply for NAP, the lead applicant must meet the following: * Be an organization leading the project or the lead artist, producer or curator for the project. * Must reside/be located in the city of Chicago with a valid street address (no P.

O. Boxes) * Must reside/be located in the neighborhood where the project will take place. * Must demonstrate at least a one-year history of creating, curating, or producing community and/or creative work that is relevant to the project.

* Must be able to complete a grant contract with the City of Chicago. * If applying as an individual, must be at least 18 years of age and able to receive grant funds as taxable income. Projects must have these elements: * Must involve arts or cultural activities.

* Must have a primary goal to serve residents of a specific neighborhood or community. (not citywide or Chicago in general) * Must take place in the same neighborhood where lead applicant’s current primary residence/address is located. * Projects must engage neighborhood residents as participants or audiences between October 1, 2026 and December 31, 2027.

Recipients of Other DCASE Support: * DCASE supports local arts and culture organizations in a variety of ways including residencies, performance opportunities, exhibitions, subsidized space/venue rental, etc. Applicants receiving other forms of DCASE support remain eligible to apply.

* Applicants may apply to multiple Cultural Grants programs in a calendar year which they are eligible; however, priority will be given to those not receiving other DCASE support. * Applicants may only seek grant support for project expenses not already covered by a prior grant or another division of DCASE.