South Side Artists in Sacred Spaces

Revitalizing Religious Properties as Neighborhood Arts Centers (also known as South Side Artists for Sacred Spaces) is a collaborative project of Partners for Sacred Places, Arts Alliance Illinois, and Bustling Spaces, LLC – working in close collaboration with religious leaders in Chicago’s South Side – to address the acute need for affordable, accessible space for neighborhood artists, exacerbated by the pandemic.

The program will connect congregations with available space and a need for additional ongoing revenue to artists and arts organizations needing affordable, accessible space for rehearsals, performances, classes, administrative needs, and other programming. Participating congregations that complete the training program will be eligible to apply for capital grants of up to $35,000 to improve accessibility and make their spaces better suited for the arts. Participating artists and arts organizations that complete the training program will be eligible to receive rental assistance to help fund their ongoing use of the spaces.

Learn more at sacredplaces.org/southsideartists.

Financial support for the Revitalizing Religious Properties as Neighborhood Arts Centers program comes from the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) through a generous Chicago Arts Recovery Program grant.