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Mayor Brandon Johnson and DCASE Award More Than $1.3 Million to Chicago Artists Through 2026 Individual Artists Program Grants

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CHICAGO ~ Chicago artists are receiving a much-needed boost as Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced the recipients of the 2026 Individual Artists Program (IAP) grants. This year, a record-breaking $1.3 million has been awarded to 250 artists across various disciplines, including visual arts, music, theater, dance, literary arts, and film and media arts.

The IAP grants are a crucial source of support for artists in Chicago, providing them with the resources they need to develop new work, preserve the city's cultural heritage, and bring innovative creative experiences to neighborhoods throughout the city. Mayor Johnson emphasized the importance of investing in artists who shape our communities and contribute to Chicago's status as a leading cultural capital.

The program received an overwhelming response this year with 1,239 applications submitted. This highlights the continued need for public investment in the arts. The selected recipients represent all 50 wards in Chicago and 69% identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). Additionally, approximately 60% of grantees reside on Chicago's South and West Sides. It is also worth noting that over half of this year's recipients are first-time applicants.

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DCASE Commissioner Kenya K. Merritt expressed her appreciation for Chicago's commitment to supporting its creative workers amidst increasing competition for funding opportunities. She highlighted how the IAP grants provide critical resources that help artists create new work, preserve cultural traditions, and connect communities through their creativity.

The projects supported by this year's grants showcase the depth and diversity of Chicago's creative community. They range from archival research conducted by theater artists Quenna Lené Barrett and Paul Michael Thomson to deepen their new play inspired by Lorraine Hansberry; The Great Filipino Songbook by SamaSama Project, a full-length album reimagining Filipino traditional and early modern music through contemporary arrangements; to Jamion L. Berry's 4050 Social Club storytelling platform, which amplifies the lived experiences of Black men through conversations rooted in culture and community.

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The Individual Artists Program is part of DCASE's Cultural Grants Annual Programs, which also includes CityArts and the Neighborhood Access Program. These programs are dedicated to supporting Chicago's artists, nonprofit arts organizations, and community-based cultural producers. The IAP is made possible in part by the Illinois Arts Council, a critical public partner that shares Chicago's commitment to arts access, creative workforce development, and cultural representation.

Applications for the 2027 cycle of DCASE Cultural Grants will open later this year. For more information about DCASE's Cultural Grants Program, visit ChicagoCulturalGrants.org. The full list of Individual Artist Program grantees can be found on the city's website at Chicago.gov/content. With these grants, Chicago continues to invest in its artists and ensure that its cultural landscape thrives for years to come.

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