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

Program supports Chicago's creative economy and artists across all 77 neighborhoods

CHICAGO - As artists across the country continue to face growing demand for funding and resources, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) today announced the recipients of the 2026 Individual Artists Program (IAP) grants, awarding more than $1.3 million to 250 Chicago artists working across visual arts, music, theater, dance, literary arts and film and media arts. The grants provide critical support for artists to develop new work, preserve Chicago's rich cultural heritage and bring innovative creative experiences to neighborhoods throughout the city.

The program attracted 1,239 applications this year, underscoring the continued need for public investment in the arts. This year's recipients are advancing projects that preserve cultural traditions, uncover untold histories, produce new dance and theatrical works, and create films, music and multimedia experiences that reflect the diversity and resilience of Chicago's communities.

"Chicago's artists shape how we experience our neighborhoods, preserve our history and imagine our future," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "The Individual Artists Program is an investment in the creative people whose work strengthens our communities, drives our economy and makes Chicago one of the world's leading cultural capitals. By supporting artists at every stage of their careers, we are ensuring creativity continues to thrive in every neighborhood."

Among this year's recipients:

• 250 artists receive grants; the highest number of awards in program history.
• Artists represent all 50 wards.
• 69% of grantees identify as BIPOC.
• Approximately 60% of grantees live on Chicago's South and West Sides.
• 56% are first-time applicants.

"At a time when artists are navigating increasing competition for funding opportunities, Chicago continues to invest in the creative workers who shape our neighborhoods, strengthen our economy and tell the stories of our city," said DCASE Commissioner Kenya K. Merritt. "The Individual Artists Program provides critical resources that help artists create new work, preserve cultural traditions and connect communities through their creativity, ensuring Chicago's cultural landscape continues to thrive."

This year's Individual Artists Program recipients reflect the depth and diversity of Chicago's creative community. Their projects span visual arts, theater, dance, film, media and music, preserving overlooked histories, amplifying underrepresented voices, and creating new opportunities for community connection.

Projects supported through this year's grants include 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; and Jamion L. Berry's 4050 Social Club storytelling platform, which amplifies the lived experiences of Black men through conversations rooted in culture and community.

The Individual Artists Program is part of DCASE's Cultural Grants Annual Programs, joining CityArts and the Neighborhood Access Program in supporting Chicago's artists, nonprofit arts organizations, and community-based cultural producers. The Individual Artists Program is supported in part by the Illinois Arts Council, a critical public partner sharing 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.

For the full list of Individual Artist Program grantees, visit Chicago.gov.

###

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in Chicago's creative economy, and expands access to and participation in the arts throughout the city's 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, DCASE engages Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, from downtown to neighborhoods across the city, to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the city's most iconic festivals, markets, events and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park and in communities throughout Chicago, serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports film, television and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago. For details, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE and stay connected via our newsletters and social media.