Cultural Arts Grants

The City of Elgin's Cultural Arts Commission offers three grant programs to help encourage and support arts related projects, exhibits and performances within Elgin. Details about funding assistance for each program is available in their respective applications. 

Individual Artist Grant

The Elgin Cultural Arts Commission (ECAC) Individual Artist Grant Program is designed to encourage and support innovative and unique arts-related projects and performances within the City of Elgin. This grant program offers grant awards of up to $1,000.00 which are for arts programs, projects and events. Examples include an arts show organized by an artist, a musical or dramatic program, storytelling, performance art, street theater, a poetry reading, mime or puppetry. Funding assistance may include requests for startup costs related to a project such as: rental of space or equipment, purchase of supplies or equipment, or other project-related materials. Applications are reviewed by the ECAC at their monthly meetings, held on the second Monday of each month. Applications are due on the first Monday of the month, and applicants are required to attend the ECAC's meeting to present their applications. For more specifics, view the application. 

Organizational Grant

Arts organizations that are Illinois registered not-for-profits and are offering their programming in Elgin are eligible to apply for the yearly Organizational Grants offered by the ECAC. This grant program offers grant awards of up to $8,500.00 which are for arts programs, projects and events, rather than general operations costs. Applications go live in August and are due in October of the year prior to the year of the program. The ECAC votes on applications in November with a final vote in December, after which a recommendation is made to City Council for funding. Following final City Council approval or denial, organizations are notified of approval or denial and award amounts. For more specifics, view the application. Applications for 2024 are now open. Completed applications are due October 5, 2023 by 4:00 p.m. 

For questions about the ECAC's grant programs, please contact staff liaison Amanda Harris.