North Side Arts Non-Profits Awarded Grants

CHICAGO — The League of Chicago Theatres teamed up with ComEd to announce grants to 17 non-profit arts organizations throughout northern Illinois, six of which are located on Chicago's North Side. The recipients, which range from local theaters to art galleries, will receive up to $10,000 each for projects that expand access to arts and cultural offerings for underserved audiences.

This is the first year that ComEd and the League, an alliance of more than 200 Chicago theatres, have partnered for the Powering the Arts Program. The program supports a range of projects, including a dance training program for children with disabilities and an initiative to provide transportation to theatrical performances for those in need.

“At the League, we believe exposure to the arts is vitally important to the health of our communities," Deb Clapp, executive director of the League of Chicago Theatres, said in a statement.

Non-profit organizations submitted their grant applications for Powering the Arts in the spring. An advisory committee composed of members of northern Illinois' non-profit arts and culture communities reviewed eligible applications.

North Side grant recipient organizations:

• About Face Theatre (Andersonville) - $6,420: the grant will provide free tickets and transportation to About Face Theatre performances for LGBTQIA seniors who are economically disadvantaged.
• Emerald City Theatre (Lake View) - $7,500: the grant will provide field trips for students who are economically disadvantaged to see plays at Emerald City Theatre and provide each student with a free book.
• Free Street Theater (Noble Square) - $5,000: the grant will allow Free Street Theater to present a theatrical event in each of Chicago’s 50 wards, created by a multi-racial, multi-generational ensemble.
• The Miracle Center (Logan Square) - $10,000: the grant will support the world premiere theatrical adaption of the Puerto Rican children’s book, “There’s a Coqui in my Shoe!”
• Remy Bumppo Theatre Company (Lake View) - $1,350: the grant will support “touch tours” and audio-described performances for patrons who are blind or have low vision.
• Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (Edgewater) - $10,000: the grant will support efforts to recruit and engage new audiences of people of color, seniors and people with disabilities by offering free tickets and transportation through partnerships with local social service agencies.

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