Ingenuity

Creative Schools Fund applications are OPEN! 🎉

We’re excited to kick off another Creative Schools Fund cycle—a public-private partnership between Chicago Public Schools and Ingenuity that invests in high-quality arts education across CPS.

And this year, we’re especially excited to introduce a new opportunity: Arts Teacher Grants!

We heard from arts teachers about what they need to support their students, and we’re putting that feedback into action. Arts Teacher Grants provide up to $5,000 for teacher-led arts projects, materials, equipment, field trips, performances, and more.

Plus, schools can apply for Partnership Residency Grants of up to $10,000.

📅 Apply by September 25, 2026!

👉 Read the full announcement and explore the grant guidelines: https://ow.ly/qIYU50ZABus

📣 Arts Partners: Important CPS RFQ Update

CPS has issued a new RFQ for Arts Education Services. Here’s what you should know:

🎨 All organizations seeking to provide arts programming through CPS are encouraged to apply, including organizations offering programs at no cost.

📌 Current CPS Arts Partner vendors will not automatically transfer to the new vendor pool and must submit a response to the RFQ be considered.

📅 Proposals are due September 11, 2026, at 2 p.m. CT. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Please check your inbox for Ingenuity’s latest email, which includes highlights from the CPS Pre-Submittal Conference. We encourage you to review the full RFQ and supporting materials in Bonfire and begin preparing early.

🎨 Announcing the SY 26-27 Creative Schools Fund timeline

This year’s Creative Schools Fund will include grants in support of arts partner in-school residencies, and new opportunities for all CPS arts teachers to request support for special projects.

Applications open and guidelines outlining full program details will become available on August 17

Application Deadline September 25

Sign up for an info session to learn more.
🔗 https://ow.ly/saki50ZxO09

As a new school year begins, we're excited to bring Chicago's arts education community together through two opportunities to connect, collaborate, and build partnerships.

📍 Back-to-School Arts Partner Gathering
Reconnect with fellow arts partners, share updates, and prepare for a successful year ahead.
RSVP Here: https://tinyurl.com/B2School2026

📍 Fall Summit 2026
Meet educators, school leaders, and arts liaisons from across Chicago while showcasing your organization's programs and building meaningful partnerships for the school year.
RSVP Here: https://tinyurl.com/IngenuityFallSummit

🎨 Interested in tabling at Fall Summit?
Arts Partners can request a table by selecting the "Arts Partner Table" ticket when registering.

✨ Space is limited to approximately 60 arts organizations, so we encourage you to register early!

We can't wait to reconnect and celebrate another year of bringing arts learning to students across Chicago.

🎨 Arts Partners: Friendly Reminder!

If you're planning to submit an application for the CPS Arts Education Services RFQ, don't forget to register for the CPS Pre-Submittal Conference!

🗓️ Friday, August 7, 2026
🕑 2:00 p.m. CT

Before you apply, be sure to:

✅ Log in to CPS iSupplier
📄 Review the RFQ
🗓️ Register for the Pre-Submittal Conference at https://ow.ly/h5gJ50ZwP1q

📧 Check your inbox for our latest email with additional details and resources.

The conference is a valuable opportunity to learn more about the RFQ process and ask questions before preparing your application.

Join us for Ingenuity's annual Fall Summit!

The Fall Summit brings together arts partner organizations and CPS school leaders for an evening of connection, collaboration, and partnership-building that helps shape arts learning opportunities for the year ahead.

Arts partners, arts teachers, arts liaisons, program administrators, and principals are invited to connect with educators, explore partnership opportunities, and strengthen arts learning for CPS students.

✨ Participating schools will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a share of $25,000 to support arts partnerships and initiatives.

📅 Thursday, September 17
🕓 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
📍 Malcolm X College

RSVP today: https://ow.ly/6CZR50ZtWxL

The CPS Arts Education Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is now open!

If your organization plans to apply, now is the time to begin preparing your submission. The RFQ opened on July 22, and submissions are due by September 11, 2026.

We've gathered recommended preparation steps and guidance to help arts partners navigate the RFQ process.

Arts partners, be sure to check your inbox for the RFQ information to help you prepare your submission.

Thank you for all you do to expand arts learning opportunities for Chicago Public Schools students. We look forward to supporting you throughout the RFQ process.

With the proposed FY2027 Chicago Public Schools budget now released, important conversations are underway about what it could mean for students, educators, and school communities across Chicago.

On Wednesday, July 29, Ingenuity Executive Director Nicole Upton will join fellow education leaders for a webinar co-hosted by the Civic Federation and Kids First Chicago to discuss the district's fiscal outlook, key budget priorities, and what's ahead.

🔗 Register here: https://ow.ly/vhcr50Zp3SH

Thank you to the Civic Federation and Kids First Chicago for bringing together this timely discussion.

🎉 That's a wrap on our 2026 fiscal year!

As we celebrate the close of another impactful year, we're also celebrating the incredible progress our community has helped make together over the past 15 years. 💙

🎨 96,000 more CPS students now have consistent access to arts education compared to when citywide progress was first measured.

📈 The number of schools rated "Excelling" in arts education has grown by 179%.

👩‍🏫 The recommended ratio of 1 arts teacher to 350 students has increased by 59%.

🎉 100% of CPS schools participated in the Creative Schools Survey for the first time in history.

These milestones reflect 15 years of what's possible when schools, educators, teaching artists, community partners, supporters, and Chicago Public Schools work toward a shared vision: ensuring every student has access to a high-quality arts education.

Thank you for believing in this work and for being part of the journey.

Here's to the next chapter! 💙✨

Every investment in arts education creates new opportunities for students to learn, create, and thrive.

Ingenuity's Director of Development, Nick Roman, explores how data, partnership, and philanthropy can help expand access to high-quality arts education across Chicago Public Schools in a new article published by Make It Better Foundation.

We're grateful to Make It Better Foundation for helping elevate this important conversation and highlight the impact of investing in students.

Read the full article at: https://better.net/arts-events/ingenuity-lollapalooza-chicago-public-schools-arts-education/

Inside the Ingenuity and Lollapalooza Partnership Driving Arts Education Across Chicago Public Schools Learn how Ingenuity and Lollapalooza are expanding arts education in Chicago Public Schools through data-driven philanthropy, long-term investment, and partnerships that help students thrive.