The Arts Work Fund (AWF) is a funding collaborative supporting small and mid-sized arts organizations in Chicago and Cook County. Since 2006, AWF has helped these organizations strengthen their management and operations, enabling them to focus more fully on their artistic missions.
The Arts Work Fund is excited to announce that applications are now open for its updated Arts Capacity Grants, supporting small and mid-sized arts organizations in Chicago and Cook County. Grants of up to $40,000 fund projects that build resilience, advance strategy, deepen community engagement, and address key capacity needs.
The Arts Work Fund is thrilled to announce that JC Aevaliotis has been hired as its new Interim Executive Director for the next two years, effective September 15th. JC brings a wealth of experience and knowledge that will support the Arts Work Fund. He has previously worked as Senior Program Director, Arts and Culture, at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, Senior Program Officer at Polk Bros. Foundation, and Director of Development for Marwen, a visual arts education organization. JC has served on the Arts Work Fund Steering Committee since 2016. Outside his career in arts administration and philanthropy, JC has worked as a teaching artist, writer, and performer in Chicago's comedy and live lit communities. He currently serves as board chair for the Paper Machete.
The Arts Work Fund is excited to launch its updated Arts Capacity Grants, designed to help small and mid-sized arts organizations in Chicago and Cook County strengthen their operations and sustainability.
These responsive grants (up to $40,000) support projects that build resilience, advance strategy, improve community engagement, and address key capacity needs.
The Application Portal will open on October 1, 2025. Funding decisions will be announced every other month, beginning in December 2025.
Have questions about the updated Arts Capacity Grants? Join us for one of our upcoming info sessions to learn more about the application process, eligibility requirements, and get your questions answered by our team.
September 8th at 10:30 AM via Zoom
September 23rd at 12:00 PM via Zoom
