2026 Creative Projects Grant

The Creative Projects Grant (CPG) for Fiscal Year 2026 is administered by the Illinois Arts Council (IAC), a state agency dedicated to fostering and supporting the development of the arts throughout Illinois. The IAC operates under the leadership of Executive Director Joshua Davis-Ruperto and Board Chair Nora Daley, with continuous support from the National Endowment for the Arts. This grant opportunity is part of the IAC’s mission to broaden public access to the arts, support artists and nonprofit organizations, and foster a vibrant and inclusive cultural landscape within the state. The CPG program provides funding to support the creation and public presentation of arts projects by both individual artists and organizations. Projects eligible for funding must involve a public release or presentation during the grant period, with the exception of professional development projects submitted by individual artists, which are not required to include a public component. The program consolidates previous funding streams, replacing the Creative Catalyst Grant and absorbing the Folk Arts Mentorship grant, thus creating a streamlined avenue for ethnic, folk, and traditional artists to apply for mentorship and project support. Grant applicants may request up to $12,000 in funding, which may be applied to eligible costs such as artist fees, administrative expenses, equipment (up to $3,000), supplies, marketing, and travel. Individual artists may also request support for professional development activities such as attending conferences and trainings, even if these occur outside of Illinois. All expenditures must be aligned with state regulations, and unallowable costs include capital improvements, out-of-state touring, food and alcohol, re-granting, and permanent equipment over $3,000. Only artists and organizations based in Illinois are eligible to receive funding. Eligible applicants include individual artists and arts educators, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in good standing, and branches of government entities such as libraries and park districts. Ineligible entities include public K-12 school districts and schools, which should instead consider the Creative Learning Grant. Additional restrictions include a prohibition on applying if the applicant received funding from the FY25 Creative Catalyst Grant. Each applicant may submit only one CPG application per fiscal year, and multiple applicants may not submit separate requests for the same project. Applications are submitted through the IAC’s Salesforce-based online grant portal and must be received at least eight weeks prior to the proposed project start date. The grant program operates on a rolling basis until funds for each region are depleted. The grant period for FY26 runs from eight weeks after submission through August 31, 2026. Required application components include a project description, timeline, budget, proof of feasibility, and, for individuals, proof of Illinois residency. Organizational applicants must also demonstrate that their project is distinct from their routine operations if they are also receiving General Operating Support funding from the IAC. Applications are reviewed for completeness, alignment with project objectives, budget accuracy, feasibility, and applicant eligibility. Final recommendations are presented to the IAC Board for approval. Successful applicants must submit a W9, letters to legislators, and a grant agreement. Awards are processed through the Illinois State Comptroller and may take two to six months to disburse. All grantees must submit a final report by September 30, 2026, which includes narrative reflections, budget reconciliation, attendance data, and impact statements. Grant recipients must credit the IAC in all promotional materials using the approved language and logo resources available on the IAC website.

Applicants are encouraged to begin early, ensure all fields are completed accurately, and plan feasible budgets. Submit applications at least eight weeks before the project start date. Prepare documents in PDF format under 25 MB.