Ken Vandermark performs for Chicago Takes 10.

Elevating Chicago’s Performing Arts Ecosystem

January 2022

Even though Chicago is a premier city for the performing arts, artists, ensembles and organizations are at times missing from regional grants lists, touring opportunities, and the national conversation. After the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sector, rebuilding relationships and finding new audiences is even more urgent. Since Walder Foundation’s Performing Arts grantmaking commenced in 2019, the Foundation has been considering ways to support Chicago’s performing arts organizations and associated artists to retain and broaden their audiences. Walder Foundation is providing a new grant opportunity to empower organizations and artists to expand their reach to newer, local relationships and engage audiences beyond city limits.

Projects to be funded may include professional development programs for arts administrators and individual artists, marketing initiatives, recognition and resources for performing artists, field advocacy, audience education and engagement, journalism and criticism, DEI and accessibility initiatives, research, networking convenings, and investments in virtual infrastructure. 

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

We are inviting national, regional and local performing arts organizations, associations, service organizations, award programs and non-profit media to apply for one-time, project-based grants of up to $250,000. This grant aims to provide the necessary structural support to elevate Chicago’s performing arts organizations nationally and globally, and help connect organizations and associated artists to new or expanded audiences.

We hope to contribute to the holistic sustainability of the sector by supporting organizations that are:

  • Building relationships locally, nationally, and globally that help elevate Chicago as a premier performing arts destination.

  • Strong, efficient, and resourceful cultural organizations, intentionally developing diverse audiences and modes of creative expression.

  • Encouraging and providing support to artists who perform engaging, critical, and meaningful work by supporting their professional and personal sustainability.

  • Piloting new models of audience development and community engagement.

  • Providing writing, communications and journalism that educates and uplifts diverse performance practices and new voices.

  • Catalyzing the creative ecosystem through convenings, networking and professional development.

  • Advocating for new and continued public support of the performing arts sector through collaboration, organizing, and education.

Grants will be awarded based on a number of factors including feasibility, community impact, and the potential for sustainability. Funding will be prioritized for those organizations whose work serves traditionally under-resourced populations, communities, and genres, prioritizes system-wide change and collaboration, and provides sustainable livelihoods for artists and arts workers. The amount of the grant will be determined by the size of the project relative to the organizational budget along with how well the project aligns with the grant criteria (see below).

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Organization requirements:

  • The primary area of work is in the field(s) of performing arts (music, theater, dance and interdisciplinary performance) or who works with artists in these categories.

  • Is a registered Section 501(c)3, 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) public charity, or is working with a fiscal sponsor that meets this requirement.

  • The project is focused on the needs of the Chicago metropolitan performing arts community or directly impacts artists in the region.

  • Has an annual budget between $100,000 - $5,000,000 (if you are just below or above, please email us at performingarts@walderfoundation.org).

What we will not fund through this grants program:

  • Individual artists

  • Production/Season sponsorships

  • Groups that are legally, financially or operationally part of an institution with a budget over $5 million.

  • Religious activities, political campaigns or lobbying.

  • Community, civic or volunteer performing arts groups who do not meaningfully compensate participating artists.

  • General operating support (excluding indirect costs).

The Walder Foundation’s performing arts program does not support organizations that ask artists to provide unpaid labor. Walder Foundation is committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. We encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds and/or projects that improve outcomes for those from underrepresented backgrounds.

LETTER OF INQUIRY (LOI) SELECTION CRITERIA

The application for this RFP is in two parts: an LOI and, if approved, a full proposal application. The following will be used to determine which organizations will be invited to complete a full application:

Criteria

Will this proposal provide necessary structural support to uplift the field locally, elevate Chicago’s performing arts organizations nationally and/or globally, and help connect organizations and associated artists to new or increased audiences?

Potential for sustainable impact

  • Will the project target an unaddressed need or gap in the performing arts sector within the greater Chicago region?

  • Will the intervention(s) have a lasting impact on Chicago’s performing arts?

  • Does the proposal support the long-term sustainability of artists, staff and organizational stakeholders?

Collaboration with community

  • Is the project reflective of the communities in the greater Chicago region?

  • The organization/project reflects, engages and values input from community(ies).

  • Is the project informed by equity or does it take a racial justice approach?

  • Is the project inclusive and accessible?

  • Does this project attempt to reach new audiences or expand the reach of the work?

  • Is the organization informed about and/or engaged with partners doing similar or complementary work?

Feasibility/scope

  • Does this project align with the organization’s mission?

  • Is the project feasible considering the resources, time and capacity needed?

  • Is the applicant organization best equipped to do this work/project?

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, you will need to create an account in foundationConnect, our grants management system. To create an account, you will need your organization’s EIN.

1. Create an account in foundationConnect and submit a letter of intent (LOI)

Click on the link below and choose Create New Account:

Elevating Chicago’s Performing Arts Ecosystem

You will receive a confirmation email from grants@walderfoundation.org. Choose the link in the email, sign in to your account and start and save a new letter of intent. To save, complete the first field, Project/Program Name, and then choose Save.

IMPORTANT: If you do not start your letter of intent immediately after receiving the confirmation email, you will need to return to this page and click the link above to be directed to the LOI form.

Once you have saved your letter of intent, use the link below to resume work and submit your letter of intent:

Walder Foundation Grantee Portal

If you are already registered in our grants management system, click on the link above and choose “Sign In” to be directed to the application.

You can log in any time to work on the letter of intent and save your progress.

>> VIEW A SAMPLE LOI FORM FOR COMPLETE REQUIREMENTS

2. Submit a proposal

If you are invited to submit a full proposal, return to foundationConnect and log in to access the proposal form:

Walder Foundation Grantee Portal

You will be able to log in any time (up until the deadline) to work on your application and save your progress. We recommend creating your account early to familiarize yourself with the system and the application form.

>> VIEW A SAMPLE PROPOSAL FORM FOR COMPLETE REQUIREMENTS

An automated email confirmation is generated upon submission of the application. If you do not receive a confirmation within 24 hours of submitting your application, please check your spam folder and then contact: grants@walderfoundation.org

ZOOM INFORMATION SESSIONS

We will be holding hour-long, optional Q/A sessions for invited organizations:

LOI sessions

January 31, 2022, 11:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. CT

February 3, 2022, 4:30-5:30 p.m. CT

Application session

March 28, 2022, 1:00-2:00 p.m. CT

Zoom Meeting Login: 486 171 2155 or call 312-626-6799

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4861712155

Each session will be recorded and distributed to all invited organizations. No advance registration is required.

TIMELINE

LOI open: January 24, 2022

LOI Q/A sessions: January 31, 2022 and February 3, 2022

LOI due: February 14, 2022 by 5:00 p.m. CT*

Application invitation: Early March 2022

Application Q/A session: March 28, 2022

Application due: April 14, 2022 by 5:00 p.m. CT

Virtual site visits: April 18 - May 5, 2022

Grantee notifications: June 2022

*We will allow up to a one-week extension from the LOI due date if necessary, but your organization must inform us by emailing performingarts@walderfoundation.org prior to the deadline date of February 14, 2022.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For inquiries about the content of your application, please email performingarts@walderfoundation.org.

For inquiries about the grants management system, please contact grants@walderfoundation.org.