The SPARK Grant program will offer ten unrestricted awards of $2,500 each to recognize exceptional artists working in Chicago and to support the advancement of their artistic careers. This grant is generously funded by the Joyce Foundation.

This application is open to:

• Visual artists that identify as (one or more of the following):
  • ALAANA (Asian, Latinx, African diaspora, Arab, Native American)
  • An artist with acute need (individual income less than $44,450/year, family income less than $63,200/year) facing urgent hardship
  • An artist with a disability
  • A self taught or informally trained artist: an artist who was not formally trained at an art school or degree-granting setting yet is committed to making their art practice a primary vocation
• Ideal candidates show significant promise and dedication towards the advancement of their career as a practicing artist.

Applicants must be:

• A resident of the City of Chicago
• At least 21 years old
• NOT enrolled in a degree-granting program after June 2022

Timeline

• January 12, 2022 – March 11, 2022: Application cycle open
• June 10, 2022: Public announcement of SPARK Grant awardees

Submissions will be evaluated by a jury panel of three artists and/or arts professionals.

2021 Jury

• Nicole Marroquin
• Reveca Torres
• Sarah-Ji

2022 Jury

Important Dates

• January 12: Application Opens
• January 26: Virtual Information Session #1 - Via Zoom
  
• February 9: Virtual Information Session #2 - 6:00-7:30 PM (CT) Via Zoom, to register email cac[@]chicagoartistscoalition[.org]
  
• February 23: Individual Application Help-Sessions, to make an appointment email cac[@]chicagoartistscoalition[.org]
  
• March 11: Application Closes
• April 27-May 6: Jury Deliberations
• Week of June 10: Awardees Notified