Past Events

Grants Will Be Distributed to Theater, Dance and Music Venues That Have Experienced Devastating Losses of Income Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

 CHICAGO, IL — Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announce the new Performing Arts Venue Relief Program to help performing arts venues which have lost significant revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications open Monday, October 5, and the program will provide $10,000 grants to up to 120 for-profit and nonprofit Chicago-based performing arts venues who have been closed to performances. The 2020 City of Chicago Performing Arts Venue Relief Grants Program was created, with support from the Walder Foundation and the Arts for Illinois Relief Fund and in partnership with Accion, to support this critical arts and culture sector with the challenges they face from the pandemic.

Eligible entities must be located in Chicago, have a PPA (Public Place of Amusement) or Music and Dance license, and primarily produce or present performing arts programming – including theatre, dance, performance art, and/or live music or live mixing by DJs. Complete eligibility criteria and applications will be available at chicago.gov/artsvenuerelief beginning on Monday, October 5. Completed applications must be received by October 23 for consideration and grants will be distributed on a lottery system to qualified recipients. Individuals, corporations, and charitable foundations interested in supporting Chicago’s performing arts venues are encouraged to donate through the Arts for Illinois Relief

Fund at artsforillinois.org/donate-and-apply.

The Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) at the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) is proud to present CityCon WBDC. The first ever 8-week program that provides proposal writing technical assistance to City of Chicago women and minority certified firms.

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Things to Know:

The CityCon WBDC program includes sessions on the following topics:

• City of Chicago Prime and Sub-contractors
• City of Chicago Compliance & Contracts
• Responding to an RFP – Bid, No Bid
• RFP Review, Feedback and Submission
• Ceremony of Completion
• Additional individual business advising

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Who Can Apply?

• Certified with City of Chicago M/W/VBE
• Two or more years in business
• Revenues of $75,000 or greater
• Committed to 8 weeks of in class (virtual) and offsite learning and participation

*Open to male and female business owners

No cost. Limited slots available. All applicants must make themselves available for a brief phone interview.

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When?

September 30 – November 18, 2020 (Wednesdays) 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, CDT

Where?

Via Zoom meetings

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