Evanston has a rich cultural arts community filled with artist studios, galleries, performance, music venues, public art, festivals and events.
Evanston Arts Council
Purpose
The Evanston Arts Council nourishes and builds an inclusive community where creative expression thrives and the arts flourish. We empower and amplify artists and arts organizations as community builders and change makers. We support diverse forms of expression and provide equitable access to the arts.
Vision
We envision the arts as central to an equitable, sustainable city where authentic and diverse creative voices are accessible to all; and where artists are supported, thriving, and recognized as fundamental to a healthy and engaged society.
Values
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We maintain that art is for everyone; it should be a catalyst for inclusivity and equity.
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We support decolonization of the arts and all forms of creative expression.
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We value the voices of artists to enrich lives and move society forward.
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We believe the arts are a vital reflection of our humanity.
grants program
The Evanston Arts Council (EAC) gives financial support to local artists, arts organizations, and local art projects. EAC has 2 grant opportunities: the Special Project Grant and the Cultural Fund Grant
Special Project Grant
The Arts Council offers a Special Projects Grant Program to support special projects, programs, events or opportunities that arise during the calendar year that may not fit the criteria of the Cultural Fund Program. These monies are allocated at the discretion of the Arts Council and are given on a first-come-first-serve basis throughout the calendar year until the fund is depleted. More information about the Special Project Grant can be found here.
Cultural Fund Grant
The Cultural Fund Grant Program is an annual local granting program used to support the work of Evanston arts organizations and arts programming. The program uses general funds from the City of Evanston. The program is administered by the Evanston Arts Council. Grant applications are only accepted during the City’s scheduled grant cycle and deadline, which are published yearly. More information about the program and the online application can be found here.
Learn more about the Evanston Arts Council here.
current grantees
2023
Cultural Fund Grantees
Art Encounter
ARTSIE
Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre
Crossing Borders Music
Evanston Arts Center
Evanston ASPA
Evanston In-School Music Association
Evanston Symphony Orchestra
Identity (Performing Arts)
Mark B. Cleveland
Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
Mudlark Theater Company
Musical Offering
North Shore Choral Society
Open Studio Project
PEER Services
Piven Theater
Search INC
Songs by Heart Foundation
Sounds Good! Choir
Studio 3
Special Project Fund Grantees
past grantees
2022
Cultural Fund Grantees
The Actors Gymnasium
Art Encounter
Crossing Borders Music
Evanston Art Center
Evanston In-School Music Association
Evanston Symphony Orchestra
Haitian Community Festival
Matt Rappaport
Melissa Raman Molitor
Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
Mudlark Theater Company
Music Institute of Chicago
The Musical Offering
North Shore Choral Society
Northlight Theater
Open Studio Project
Piven Theatre Workshop
Theo Ubique
Yeefah Thurman & Lisa Reitman
Special Project Fund Grantees
2021
Cultural Fund Grantees
The Actors Gymnasium
Art Encounter
ASE
Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre
Curt’s Café
Evanston Art Center
Evanston Dance Ensemble
Evanston History Center
Evanston In-School Music Association
Evanston Symphony Orchestra
Juliani Ensemble
Kids Create Change
Kitchen Table Stories Project
Levy Senior Center Foundation
Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
Mudlark Theater Company
Music Institute of Chicago
The Musical Offering
Open Studio Project
Performance in Place Theatre Co
Piven Theatre Workshop
Special Project Fund Grantees
2020
Cultural Fund Grantees
Art Encounter
Crossing Borders Music
Evanston Art Center
Evanston History Center
Evanston Made
Evanston Present and Future
Evanston Symphony Orchestra
Evanston Young Artists
Family Focus
Haitian Community Festival
Kids Create Change
KIDS Global Network
Kitchen Table Stories Project
Literature for All of Us
Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
Mudlark Theater Company
Northlight Theatre
Open Studio Project
Search
Year of Kindness and Nonviolent Action
Youth Job Center
Special Project Fund Grantees