Posted on October 6, 2012

Chicago Community Trust Awards $1.3 Million to Boost Cultural Diversity

The Chicago Community Trust has announced grants totaling more than $1.3 million to nonprofit organizations working to enhance cultural vibrancy, access, and diversity in the Chicago area.

The grants will be used to leverage indigenous arts activities and genres and strengthen young or struggling organizations through new collaborations, ideas, and skill setsaimed at reducing barriers to participation. Grant recipients include the Black Ensemble Theatre, which was awarded $75,000 for its production of Dancesical: Once Upon a People in collaboration with Studio One Dance and Columbia College; the Music Institute of Chicago, which received $50,000 in support of its Institute for Therapy Through the Arts; and the Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, which was awarded $40,000 to develop the Trailer Park Proyect and related events and outreach services.

The trust also announced a number of grants through its Enhancing Access to Arts Learning program, including $50,000 to the Chicago Park District for a digital music/media lab at South Shore Cultural Center; $25,000 to the Ray of Hope Center of the Arts for continued support of its Hip-Hop Hello greeting card project; and an additional $25,000 to EMBARC to expand a network of teachers from high-risk CPS high schools.

"Creativity is often inspired by the cross-pollination of ideas, leveraging innovation and distributing resources equitably," said CCT senior program officer for arts and culture Suzanne Connor. "As a robust and well-established community foundation, the trust is positioned to identify trends across the region and invest in promising ideas and partnerships."