Think & Explore Grantees

Blanc Gallery

Maximizing Benefits for Emerging Artists

Blanc Gallery, a Black-owned art gallery in Bronzeville, is committed to emerging and community-based artists. The grant will support the pilot of a Curatorial Cohort, enhancing program capacity while supporting local artists.

Collaboraction Theatre Company

Developing New Programming Model

Collaboraction uses theatre, film, and online interactive programs to cultivate positive social change. The grant will help develop a new programming model to make the space affordable to independent artists and small community organizations.

Elastic Arts Foundation

Feasibility Study for New Space

Elastic Arts develops, hosts, and promotes creative, non-commercial performances and arts events. The grant will support a feasibility study to determine whether to stay in its current space or move.

The photo features the inflatable sculpture Founders (2019) (Founders, 2019, polyester blend fabric, dye sublimation, air blowers, hardware, 25’x35’x34') at EXPO Chicago in 2019, accompanied by a performance of "TRANSLATOR" featuring Starla Thompson (Potawatomi and Chumash) and Lional ‘Brother El’ Freeman.

Floating Museum, NFP

Structural Plan for Organizational Growth

Floating Museum creates new models exploring relationships between art, community, and public institutions. The grant will support the development of a plan to ensure operational systems and structures align with organizational growth.

Forward Momentum Chicago

Developing Sustainability Plan

Forward Momentum Chicago inspires possibilities through dance education programs. The grant will help develop a plan to ensure sustainability and meet increased programming demands.

Pictured is Andrew Burden Swanson, a founding member of Jackalope Theatre Company, taking the stage in our Winter 2024 production of the Midwest premiere of Ronan Noone's one-man thriller in rhyme, The Smuggler, at Berger Park Coach House Theater. The production was expertly directed by former Artistic Director, Gus Menary. Photography by Joel Maisonet

Jackalope Theatre Company

Marketing Initiative for Increased Engagement

Jackalope Theatre Company aims to jump-start a more robust marketing initiative to increase audience participation, donor cultivation, community engagement, and national presence.

Lawyers for the Creative Arts

Expanding Programs for Arts Nonprofits

Lawyers for the Creative Arts deploys pro bono lawyers to assist individual artists and arts organizations. The grant will support a major expansion of programs to assist arts nonprofits.

Alicia Soller, Mezcla Media Collective

Mezcla Media Collective

Consolidating Programs for Filmmakers of Color

Mezcla Media Collective provides resources to women and non-binary filmmakers of color. The grant will help consolidate two programs to meet participants' needs better and foster new partnerships.

Midsommer Flight

Testing New Marketing Strategies

Midsommer Flight produces free performances of Shakespeare's plays. The grant will allow testing of new marketing and outreach strategies to reach targeted new audiences.

Praize Productions Inc. NFP

Creating a Strategic Plan for Future Growth

Praize Productions provides arts programming rooted in social consciousness. The grant will help create a strategic plan leveraging recent organizational growth.

Reading Between the Lines

Diversifying Artistic Portfolio

Reading Between the Lines creates a space for incarcerated people to engage with arts. The grant will help expand its artistic portfolio and partnerships to better represent participants' cultural backgrounds.

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble

Fund Development Opportunities

Rivendell Theatre Ensemble elevates women's lives through theatre. The grant supports the identification, exploration, and testing of fund development opportunities and strategies.