Creative Placemaking Grants

Cook County Arts has launched a creative placemaking grant initiative focused on supporting suburban nonprofit organizations in Cook County, Illinois. This initiative, which awarded over a dozen grants in July 2025, seeks to foster transformative and community-centered arts projects that enhance economic development, promote equity, and uplift local creative sectors. Grants range from $50,000 to $250,000 and are designed to support projects that integrate arts, culture, and design into community revitalization and improvement efforts. The funder, Cook County Arts, collaborates with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) to manage the administration of the grant. LISC handles the application process, facilitates peer learning through learning circles, and provides technical assistance to ensure successful project implementation. This partnership underscores the program’s emphasis on sustainability and community capacity building through artistic and cultural engagement. Creative placemaking, as defined in the context of this program, involves using the arts as a tool for community development and change, especially in disinvested areas. It can include projects such as renovating historic cultural venues, converting underused spaces into community hubs, or building affordable workspaces for artists. The ultimate goal is to enable residents to shape and improve their social, physical, and economic environment through cultural means. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations operating in suburban Cook County. Selected grantees were chosen by a 12-member panel from over 100 applicants, based on the strength and alignment of their proposals with the program's placemaking objectives. While there is no mention of specific matching fund requirements, the panel emphasized alignment with program goals and community transformation potential. The program's timeline indicates that awards were made in July 2025. Given the involvement of LISC in technical assistance and learning circles, implementation is expected to extend beyond the award date, though specific performance periods are not delineated. While no detailed submission mechanics or application components are included, applicants were evaluated competitively and must have met the core program requirements. For additional information or inquiries, interested parties are directed to contact the program via the official email address: info@cookcountyarts.org.