Bustling Spaces

📢 NEWSLETTER ALERT ⚠️- vol. 63 📩 Well hello there! 👀👀 ✨️ It's your Friendly Neighborhood Newsletter, with over 60 days of arts & culture grants and opportunities across multiple disciplines. 🎵 🎬 🎭 🎨 💵 Find out about the @chicagodcase CityArts Grant opportunity for Chicago Arts & Culture nonprofits due 6/3, and learn more about our featured arts organization for the month, @ilacreativestudio ! 🎨 ILA Creative Studio is dedicated to uplifting Black artists by providing the resources, education, and community they need to thrive. They believe in the transformative power of Black creativity and are committed to fostering spaces that empower artists at every stage of their journey through programs like their Hear We Art healing arts initiative, G-to-G (Getting to our Goals) professional development series, and the BLACC app artist digital hub. 🥂 Join them on June 17th at 6PM at @_blackpearlarts for Black Art Love Affair (BALA) , an annual celebration and fundraiser honoring Black artists and the creative heartbeat of Chicago. 🎨 Catch up! hit the link in our bio to read the latest issue, or better yet- ✅️ subscribe to our newsletter so you don't miss a thing! #BustlingSpaces #ArtistsSupportingArtists #ArtsFunding #GrantWatch WeHeartYourArt

#RedLineJazzProject 2026 kicks off on May 21 at Howard Station from 4-6pm and Pottawattomie Park from 6-8pm. See you all there 🎷 @elevated_chi @bustlingspacesllc @chicagocta 🚇 Music by @fareedhaque

🕺🏿You better #TellEverybody Grant Watch is BACK 🙌🏽 with more Arts & Culture opportunities!✊🏾💵 @fieldfoundation ART (A Road Together) - due 5/15 @chicagoartdept Studio Residency Open Call - due 5/15 @thechicagocommunitytrust Sponsorships - due 5/15 @centerforcraft 2026 Archive Fellowship - due 5/20 @1stpeoplesfund Rooted Pathways Program - due 5/22 1) @fieldfoundation ART - due 5/15 🎨 Through ART, Chicago-based small /mid-sized arts & culture organizations can apply for 3-year general operating grants ranging from $10K-$100K per year. 25 grants will be awarded in 2026. See the link in @fieldfoundation ‘s bio to learn more. 2) @chicagoartdept Studio Residency - due 5/15 🖼 This 12-month subsidized program is for civically-focused artists to deepen their practice, connect with others, and engage the public through their work. Visit chicagoartdepartment.org/studio-residency-program to apply. 3) @thechicagocommunitytrust Sponsorships - due 5/15 🤝🏿 Open to 501c3s and fiscally sponsored orgs, sponsorships of up to $10K are available for programming events such as meetings, forums, conferences, community and cultural events, et. al. Beginning in April, CCT will transition from 2 application cycles per year to 6. Applications due on 5/15 for events occurring in June, July, and August. Visit cct.org/grants/opportunities/ for full details 3) @centerforcraft Craft Archive Fellowship – due 5/20 🪢🪡🧶 4 fellows will be awarded $5K to support archival research on underrepresented and nondominant craft histories in the United States. Independent scholars, artists, and emerging to established researchers are encouraged to apply. Visit centerforcraft.org/grants-and-fellowships to learn more. 4) @1stpeoplesfund Rooted Pathways - due 5/22 🐢 Rooted Pathways will support 5 small Native-led arts & cultural orgs that are strengthening their foundations, uplifting artists, & deepening Indigenous arts ecosystems with $55K grants. Learn more and apply at bit.ly/FPF-Rooted-Pathways Don’t forget about @3wavefund residency due 5/13, @ragdale_residency Fellowships due 5/14, Black Harvest Film Festival submissions due 6/10, and more -- new highlights next week!

📢 NEWSLETTER ALERT ⚠️- vol. 62 📩 Did you miss us? Check your inbox! Your Fri-YAY grants newsletter is still inside! Volume 62 returns with 60 days of grants & our featured arts organization, Mandala South Asian Performing Arts @mandalachi 🚉 Today we're highlighting an exciting new series-- the Red Line Jazz Project!! 🎷 🎹 🎸 🥁 Through a series of performances curated by virtuoso guitarist Fareed Haque, local jazz musicians and ensembles present short live sets at or near stations Red Line L stations starting May 21st. The performances blend jazz improvisation with global musical influences, reflecting Chicago’s rich musical heritage and its diverse communities, including Rogers Park, Chatham, Chinatown, Uptown, Bronzeville, Roseland, and more. 🎭 Also, don't forget to check out the Mandala Makers Festival — celebrating South Asian artists across dance, music, theatre, film, and more. Both programs run until October-- visit mandalaarts.org for more information. 🌶 🌶 Lastly, we're introducing a new initiative in development - The Spice Rack, a series of programs and resources for neurodiverse creatives navigating the arts funding landscape. 👉 Catch up! hit the link in our bio to read the latest issue, or better yet- ✅️ subscribe to our newsletter so you don't miss a thing! And stay tuned for Grant Watch highlights tomorrow! 🤑 #BustlingSpaces #ArtistsSupportingArtists #ArtsFunding #GrantWatch WeHeartYourArt 💃🏽 Ashwaty Chenat @shwatcat 📸Sarah Gaglione @sarahg @jpeg

📩 Inside Volume 61: link in our bio ✔️ Grants & funding opportunities (next 90 days) ✔️ Featured artist & organization ✔️ Creative opportunities + events 💰 Grants & Funding You Don’t Want to Miss 💰 Looking ahead? We’ve curated the top grants, residencies, and funding opportunities for the next 90 days, all in one place to help you plan, apply, and secure your next win. ✨ And more… This volume feature: Mandala South Asian Performing Arts, (@mandalaartschi ) a MacArthur Award-winning organization founded by Pranita Nayar. From April to October, Mandala hosts its Makers Festival 🎭 — celebrating South Asian artists across dance, music, theatre, film, and more. 🎟️ Upcoming Highlight: “Purush: When Power Becomes Poetry” — May 2 An evening-length performance exploring improvisation across classical Indian dance traditions. 🚇 Plus, their Red Line Jazz Project launches in May, transforming everyday transit spaces into live jazz experiences across Chicago.

Bustling Spaces is proud to be a champion of the arts, and we’re joining @artsallianceil to fight for increased funding for the Illinois Arts Council! This page contains all the information you’ll need for a successful trip to Springfield. /advocacy/capitol-day/attendees/

There’s something special about spaces that feel like community the moment you walk in 🤎 Back in February, we had the chance to visit Stoviink Creatives @stoviink , and it wasn’t just a visit… it was an experience. From the energy, to the people, to the intentional creativity in every corner, we had to support and pick up a few of their pieces (candles, lotions, books) 🔥 And now, they’re continuing to do what they do best… bringing people together through art, movement, and expression. ✨ What’s coming up at Stoviink Creatives: 🧘🏽‍♀️ Pen, Paper, & Pilates w/ Rejena J 📅 Sunday, April 19 ⏰ 10:00 AM Explore the power of your core in this beginner friendly Pilates class with Rejena J! Align your body, awaken your mind, and breathe amongst the space. 🎶 BSide Cuts: A Curated Listening Session 📅 Sunday, April 19 ⏰ 5:00 PM A DJ-curated listening session featuring deep cuts and obscure album tracks. This event blends Jazz, Deep House, Soul, Live Vocals, and Spoken Word. DJ set curated by Otez G! They’re also acknowledging 4/20! No doubt, they’re celebrating that as well. Enjoy pastries, coffee, merchandise, and community! 🎤 Unruled: Open Mic Jam Night 📅 Friday, April 24 ⏰ 7:00 PM It’s National Poetry Month! Be part of Unruled: An Open Mic Night, hosted by Storie Devereaux! Experience the soulful vocals of Manasseh! Enjoy live music from The Unit + Tovi Khali! The mic welcomes singers, songwriters, poets, comedians, and anyone eager to share what’s on their heart! Come outside! If you’ve never been, this is your sign. If you have been… you already know. Go support. Go experience. Go connect. 🤝🏾 #CommunityMatters #CreativeSpaces #SupportLocalCreatives #OpenMicNight #PilatesAndPoetry #Stoviink

🌟 You registered for Grant Club tomorrow, right? NO? 😬 Well you've got time to correct that 😉 ✅️ Sign up today at the link in our bio to join us between 6:30 and 8:30 PM tomorrow, Thursday 4/9 for Bustling Spaces Grant Club! 🎉 We're going to have an amazing time giving folks a preview of the @chicagodcase CityArts opportunity for arts- focused nonprofits, introducing new folks to this grant and giving some tips to give you a head start before the application window opens. We'll also have breakout rooms for grant seeking creatives of all types, designed to help those who are first-time grant seekers, those who need someone to review their narrative or budget, our "neurospicy" friends who need a different approach when it comes to navigating the grant landscape, and more! 🕚 Can't come on time? Can't stay the whole session? NO PROBLEM! Drop in and get what you need, when you need, on your time. ❤️ Lastly, we know this is giving Sesame Street (s/o to PBS!), but Bustling Spaces Grant Club loves making new friends! We're excited to invite Megan Lewis of @artsallianceil to give the CityArts preview and talk about the different ways that Arts Alliance IL helps creatives to access funding and resources. What's more, Lydia Moss from @definitiontheatre will be facilitating a breakout room called "Telling Your Story for Impact." If you're one of those folks who thinks writing grants has to be a drag....come get a different perspective. Let's have some fun(ding) together! 🎉 💰 🤑 #BustlingSpaces #GrantClub #artsfunding

YES, YES, YES… we know it’s been a while 👀 But we’re BACKKKK, and not empty-handed 🔥 Over the last 2 quarters, we’ve been behind the scenes writing, consulting, and driving real impact… and the results are in: ✨ Over $1 MILLION secured in grants Across: Programming | Projects | Planning | Capital | Operating | Sponsorships This is what happens when strategy meets execution. Did you miss this section? 👀 Because we’re officially back to sharing the wins, and trust us, there’s more coming. Now we want to hear from YOU 💬 How has Bustling Spaces supported your journey? 📩 Through our Newsletter? 📊 Weekly Grant Watch? 🤝 Grant Club Sessions? Or are you ready to get started? 👉🏽 Tap the link in our bio, fill out the form, and let’s build something impactful together. No matter how small — your mission deserves support. #BustlingSpaces #GrantWriting #NonprofitSupport #FundingSuccess #ImpactDriven #GrantWins #ArtsFunding #NonprofitGrowth

💼 Wanna Get Away? ✈️ You might need an Artist Residency! 🎨 💸 Grant Watch highlights three Residencies and Fellowships as part of today’s roster, 2 with due dates coming up next week, so don’t delay! 1) @baldwinforthearts Fellowship - due 4/17 🌲Baldwin for the Arts invites artists from the global majority of all disciplines to apply to their fully-funded residency. Fellows receive a week-long stay at their beautiful wooded site in upstate NY, access to a brand-new artist studio, and delicious chef-prepared meals. Apply at baldwinforthearts.org 2) @looking_glass_arts fully funded recording residency - due 4/17 🎸 This Fully-Funded Recording Residency is for musical duos and trios ready to record their debut album/EP. Groups receive mentorship with onsite recording and mixing support with engineer Rashaan Carter @free.bass . Visit lookingglassarts.org to apply. 3) @lacma Art + Technology Lab Grant 2026 - due 4/22 🎨 💻 Join a radical experiment in art, science, and emerging tech where artists are empowered to test bold ideas, prototype the future, and share their discoveries with the world. LACMA's Art + Technology Lab supports projects exploring artistic applications of ideas related to technology and culture, offering artists & collectives financial and in-kind support for new projects. Visit lacma.org/art/lab/grants for more information. 4) @ragdale_residency 2027 Residencies & Fellowships - due 5/14 🌾 Ragdale welcomes artists at any career stage working in multiple creative disciplines to apply. These 18-day retreats range from sliding-scale residencies to fully-funded fellowships, including access to a 30-acre nature preserve and chef-prepared dinners with produce from Ragdale’s own gardens. 🌟 New this year is Ragdale’s Fellowship for Caregivers, awarding a fee-waived residency with a stipend of $1K to an artist of any discipline in the role of caring for a family member or loved one through illness, disability or other major life developments. Visit ragdale.org for more info. Also, last week for @ipichicago Independent Productions Initiative, and stop by Grant Club on Thursday 4/9 (link in bio)! #GrantWatch #ArtsFunding

🥁 🥁 News you can use just dropped! 💰 Check your inbox 📥 or head to the link in our bio for the latest 90-day outlook for grants in arts, culture & historic preservation! Our recent #GrantWatch posts can't cover everything, so head to the link and tap in. ❗️(Not subscribed? 😑 -- head to bustlingspaces.com and rectify that, please & thank you! ✅️) 💵 And if you REALLY want that funding, come to our next Grant Club, free online on Thursday, April 9th and get the tips, tools, and expert advice you need to secure the bag 💰 🎨 We'll be featuring the CityArts Grant from @chicagodcase for arts and culture nonprofits, opening soon! 🤝 Also, we're excited to have Megan Lewis joining us from the @artsallianceil Help Desk! Megan will be facilitating a breakout room for first time grantseekers, and talking about how Arts Alliance IL will be supporting applicants for CityArts and other opportunities. Find more information and register at the link in our bio, and see you next week! #BustlingSpaces #ArtsGrants #DCASE

No fooling 🤪 -- these grants are legit! ⏲️ Grant Watch today, 🕚 Grant Newsletter tomorrow, 📅 Grant Club next week! Scroll through for the latest Arts & Culture grants, and meet us next Thursday to help access the $$$ you need! (link in bio) ✴️ Reminders: @redtwisttheatre Independent Productions Initiative for Chicago-area theater artists - due 4/10 @ignitefundchi grants for Chicago-area visual artists and collectives - due 4/13 ❇️ New: @sozoartists SOZO Fellowship - due 4/12 @worldbusinesschicago HorizonLines Visions for Chicago Open Call - Due 4/15 NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants - due 4/24 Andy Warhol Foundation @artswriters grants - due 5 / 6 1) @sozoartists Fellowship 2026 - due 4/12 🚨 Applications are OPEN for the 2026 SOZO Fellowship, a 6-month paid virtual coaching experience for mid-career independent artists ready to level up their sustainability, entrepreneurship and impact. Check eligibility and apply now via 🔗 in bio — 💸 2) @worldbusinesschicago Horizon Lines: Visions for Chicago Open Call - due 4/15 🌃 City Architects, designers, planners, artists, innovators, and interdisciplinary teams are invited to submit bold visions imagining how Chicago could grow, evolve, and lead over the next 25 years. Selected concepts receive honoraria from $1K - $5K and will be featured in a public exhibition at the Chicago Cultural Center in Summer 2026. Visit the link in their bio to learn more. 3) @nbcuniversal Local Impact Grants - due 4/24 🦚 NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants provide general operating funds to eligible 501c3s doing work in the areas of Youth Education and Empowerment, Next Generation Storytellers and Community Engagement. Learn more & register for the April 7, 2026 webinar at 4) @andywarholfoundation @artswriters Grant due 5/1 📝 🖼 The 2026 Arts Writers Grant Application is open, offering $15K - $50K to support authors writing about contemporary art in article, book, or short-form writing, and $30K for translations of book-length projects about contemporary art into English See @artswriters for more info. _____ 👀👀 Stay tuned -- New 90-day outlook drops tomorrow! 🙌🏽