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Cultural Fund Grant Program
2026 Cultural Fund
The 2026 Cultural Fund Grant application will open on February 26, with applications due April 1, 2026. The application materials and timeline for 2026 are included below for reference only.
Questions should be directed to artscouncil@cityofevanston.org.
2026 Materials
- 2026 Guidelines and Eligibility (Downloadable PDF)
- Purpose, Vision and Values of the Evanston Arts Council (Downloadable PDF)
- Tips for Work Samples
- Grant Writing Tool Kit by FreshArts
Info Session
Applicants can attend a free Virtual Cultural Fund Grant Information Session:
- March 12th at 7:00 PM
- Watch Video Recording of Info Session.
2026 Application Timeline
| February 26 | Application opens online |
| February & March | Technical assistance available by email |
| March 12 | Application info session via Zoom. This session will be recorded and available online. |
| April 1 | Application submission deadline 11:59 pm |
| May 9 | Review panel meets virtually |
| May 19 | Arts Council allocates grants in an open meeting |
| June 1 | Applicants notified |
| By June 30 | Grants disbursed |
| June 30, 2027 | All grant monies to be spent |
| July 31, 2027 | Final report due |
Special Projects Grant
The Arts Council’s Special Projects Grant supports special projects, programs, events, or opportunities that arise during the calendar year, serve the Evanston community, and align with the EAC’s Statement of Purpose and Values.
This funding opportunity is open to projects led by either individuals and organizations who intend to create a special art project, an art program, or event with a focus on art that serves the Evanston community. Organizations seeking general operating or ongoing organizational support should apply to the Cultural Fund Grants opportunity.
For more information, please consult the following document.
Special Project Application here
Funding Acknowledgement
Applicants who receive funding must acknowledge the City of Evanston/Evanston Arts Council support in all publicity and media materials used in connection with the funded project. Acknowledgement is required for the support of the Illinois Arts Council Agency and the National Endowment for the Arts
NEA logo
Upcoming Artist Workshop
Title: From Finished Work to Finished Applications
When: March 19, 2026, at 6:00 PM | In-person and Virtual
Where: 909 Davis St, City of Evanston, 332 Conference
Register here to obtain virtual link credentials
Workshop Summary
This workshop focuses on the practical steps that come after the artwork is made.
Participants will learn how to prepare and organize digital files for submissions, understand common requirements for opportunities, how jurying is done, and streamline their application process.
We will also discuss how to find relevant calls, grants, and exhibitions, and how to manage materials efficiently. This session is designed to help artists feel more confident navigating the professional side of their practice
We’re excited to invite you to an upcoming professional development workshop led by Jonathan Michael Castillo, visual artist and photographer, designed specifically for artists who are ready to move their work into the world with intention and strategy.
About Jonathan Michael Castillo
@joncastillophoto was the 2019-2021 recipient of the Diane Dammeyer Fellowship in Photographic Arts and Social Issues. Jonathan was included in the 2021 Hyde Park Art Center’s Ground Floor Biennial in Chicago and was a finalist for the WMA Commission in Hong Kong. His work has been featured with The New Yorker, Wired, The Chicago Tribune, CBS: Los Angeles, and Brazil’s G1 Globo.
Jonathan was recently commissioned to create a large-scale permanent installation of his work at O’Hare International Airport as part of the Terminal 5 expansion project..jpg?t=202603041624050)