The Arts for Illinois Relief Fund is pleased to support the City of Chicago’s Performing Arts Venue Relief Program. This program will provide support for lost revenue and reopening strategies for some of the hardest hit arts venues not previously eligible for grant relief. This grant opportunity demonstrates a commitment to not only these spaces but to the artists, cultural workers and organizations that they employ. The program will provide $10,000 grants to up to 120 non-profit and for-profit entities dedicated to producing or presenting performing arts programming. These funds will be allocated with equity at the forefront, and will prioritize organizations located on the South and West sides of Chicago, in Low and Moderate Income 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.
Click here to read the press release from the City of Chicago.
To be eligible to apply for a Performing Arts Venue Relief Program grant, organizations must meet the following criteria:
- Have a primary mission/purpose to produce or present performing arts programming, including theatre, dance, comedy, performance art and/or music, including live mixing by DJs.
- Have a PPA (Public Place of Amusement) or Music and Dance license in good standing.
- Be located in the city of Chicago with a valid street address (P.O. Boxes will not be accepted).
- Own or lease year-round a venue or club that is demonstrated as a primary component of the organization, at which performing arts performances are the primary amusement/activity, as verified by past programmatic listings and website content documenting featured artists.
- Be an independent venue that is not owned, run, or exclusively booked by a multinational corporation or publicly-traded company.
- Must have been incorporated and operating since at least December 2019.
- Must not be able to open at full capacity as part of Restore Illinois or Reopening Chicago Phase 4.
- Must pay fair fees to artists in accordance with standard wage and labor laws. *
- Must have experienced an earned revenue loss of at least 75% due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Must not owe more than $2,500 in unpaid fees, services, or other costs to the City of Chicago.
*Artists employed or contracted by venue must be paid at or above minimum wage and/or be paid a percentage of cover fees/ticket sales.
For more information, and to apply, visit the DCASE website.
