Chicago grants relief to select performance venues

A newly created “Performing Arts Venue Relief Program” will award up to 120 Chicago venues with $10,000 grants to compensate for losses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an announcement from Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE).

With expenses still accruing, many performing arts venues are continuing to experience significant losses while also preparing to “drastically rethink capacity, seating, staging, and other considerations” when they eventually reopen, the announcement continued.

"Performing arts venues are incredibly important to our City because they make up the fabric of our neighborhoods," said Mayor Lightfoot. "In order to keep this rich, diverse part of our City's culture alive, it is critical that we continue to provide space and support for our artists, cultural workers and performing arts companies."

Funds steered through 'equity lens' and 'lottery system'

An “equity lens that considers the history of disinvestment and the disproportionate burden of COVID-19 on the South and West sides of Chicago” will be applied to determine final allocation, according to the announcement.

Additionally, the program will prioritize funding organizations located on the South and West sides, in Low and Moderate Income (LMI) community areas, and organizations that have not received grants through the Arts for Illinois Relief Fund or the City of Chicago’s Together Now program.

Applications for the relief opened to for-profit and nonprofit theater, dance and music venues on Monday, October 5. Completed applications must be received by October 23 for consideration and grants will be distributed on a lottery system to qualified recipients.

Eligible entities must be located in Chicago, have a PPA (Public Place of Amusement) or Music and Dance license, and primarily produce or present performing arts programming – including theatre, dance, performance art, and/or live music or live mixing by DJs. Complete eligibility criteria and applications are available at chicago.gov/artsvenuerelief.

The 2020 City of Chicago Performing Arts Venue Relief Grants Program was created, with support from the Walder Foundation and the Arts for Illinois Relief Fund and in partnership with Accion, to support this critical arts and culture sector with the challenges they face from the pandemic.