Powering The Arts Program Awards Grants To Non-Profit Arts Organizations
Powering The Arts Program Awards Grants To Non-Profit Arts Organizations
BY KATHERINE NEWMAN
The League of Chicago Theatres recently partnered with ComEd to create the Powering Arts Program which awarded grants of up to $10,000 to 17 Arts Organizations in Northern Illinois. Each grantee will utilize the money to support projects that expand access to arts and cultural offerings for underserved audiences in their communities.
“The League of Chicago Theatres, an association of more than 200 theaters, enhances the art of theatre in the Chicago area through audience development and support services to theaters and theatre professionals. The League of Chicago Theatres believes that exposure to the arts is vitally important to the health of our communities and Powering the Arts is helping us to fulfill that mission,” said Deb Clapp, executive director of the League of Chicago Theatres.
During the spring of this year, interested non-profit organizations submitted their grant applications for Powering the Arts. From there, the applications were revised by an advisory committee that consisted of several members of the region’s non-profit arts and culture community. Powering the Arts is funded by ComEd and the League of Chicago Theatres serves as the program administrator for grantees.
“We know that arts and cultural activities add to our customers’ livelihood. However, funding for the arts has declined over the years and too many local arts institutions are unable to reach underserved and vulnerable audiences due to limited resources. To help combat this important issue,
ComEd has teamed up with the League of Chicago Theatres to shine a spotlight on 17 deserving arts organizations in northern Illinois. By investing in these grantees through our Powering the Arts Program, we hope to play a supporting role in reinforcing Chicago’s reputation as a world-class city for the arts,” said Paula Conrad, senior manager of corporate relations for ComEd.
The inaugural grantees include a range of organizations from community theaters, to art galleries, to community organizations like My Block, My Hood, My City which provides underprivileged youth in Chicago opportunities to experience the world beyond their neighborhood.
My Block, My Hood, My City allows students to explore science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), arts and culture, citizenry and volunteerism, health, community development, culinary arts, and entrepreneurship, according to their website. The Powering the Arts grant will allow the organization to provide even more opportunities for economically disadvantaged youth to have experiences in art and culture.
“Powering our communities goes beyond providing safe and reliable energy. It means enriching the lives of the people who live there,” said Joe Dominguez, chief executive officer of ComEd, in a press realize announcing the 17 grantees.
“By investing in arts and cultural institutions, we have an opportunity to transform the lives of those who have limited exposure to the arts. We’re thrilled to play a supporting role in helping these organizations power the arts.”
More information on the Powering the Arts Program can be found online at www. leagueofchicagotheatres.org/ comedpoweringthearts.
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