ComEd and League of Chicago Theatres Support Chicago Arts Organizations with $200,000 in Grants
ComEd and the League of Chicago Theatres have once again demonstrated their commitment to expanding access to arts and culture across northern Illinois by awarding over $200,000 in grants to 18 local arts organizations through the seventh annual Powering the Arts Program. This initiative, which began in 2018, aims to enrich communities through artistic expression by providing individual grants of up to $25,000 to nonprofits, including theaters, arts programs, cultural centers, and youth-focused organizations.
Since its inception, the Powering the Arts Program has made a significant impact, contributing more than $1 million to creative projects and workshops that foster community engagement, innovation, and a deeper appreciation for the arts. By directly supporting programs across Illinois, the initiative strengthens the connection between art and community, ensuring that creative opportunities remain accessible to all.
Melissa Washington, senior vice president of customer operations and strategic initiatives at ComEd, expressed pride in the initiative’s role in celebrating unique stories and cultures through artistic innovation. She emphasized that by investing in the arts, they are investing in the vibrancy and diversity of the communities they serve. The continued collaboration with the League of Chicago Theatres ensures the program’s success in supporting the arts.
The Powering the Arts Program, now in its seventh year, has provided crucial funding to nearly 100 arts organizations throughout its history. ComEd funds the initiative, while the League of Chicago Theatres, representing over 200 theaters, manages the application review and award distribution process. This year’s grant recipients represent a diverse range of artistic disciplines, from children’s art programs and music education to cultural dance and theater.
Grant Recipients and Their Projects
The 2024 ComEd Powering the Arts Program has supported a variety of impactful projects across different artistic disciplines. Some of the grant recipients and their funded initiatives include:
1. **Metropolis Performing Arts Centre (Arlington Heights, IL):** Launching “Arts for All: Open Captioning” to provide live captioning for audiences with hearing impairments during mainstage performances.
2. **Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence (Batavia, IL):** Launching “ARTS in Ed” to make artistic experiences accessible to school-aged children and their families, fostering creativity and community engagement.
3. **Barrington Dance Ensemble (Barrington, IL):** Providing free tickets to performances like “The Nutcracker” for area seniors and children, including those with disabilities, to create joyful memories through dance.
4. **Berwyn Public Art Initiative (Berwyn, IL):** Engaging residents in mural workshops and cultural events celebrating the Latino heritage of Berwyn’s community.
5. **Blue Island Citizens for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities, Inc. (Blue Island, IL):** Partnering with the Blue Island Arts Alliance to host community sketch events for adults with intellectual disabilities, showcasing their creativity.
6. **Chicago Dance Crash (Chicago – Avondale):** Bringing hip-hop culture and breakdance fundamentals to schools and community centers on Chicago’s West and South sides.
7. **Elastic Arts Foundation (Chicago – Avondale):** Supporting BIPOC artists through the “Dark Matter Residency” and public performances in Chicago’s West and South side communities.
8. **Full Spectrum Features (Chicago – Lakeview):** Supporting BIPOC, women, and LGBTQIA+ filmmakers through the Chicago premiere of “Our Right to Gaze: Black Film Identities.”
9. **Sharing Notes (Chicago – Lakeview):** Expanding live music performance programming for hospital patients at various healthcare facilities.
10. **Steppenwolf Theatre Company (Chicago – Lincoln Park):** Subsidizing student matinee tickets to ensure schools most in need of arts programming can access their shows.
11. **Goodman Theatre (Chicago – Loop):** Expanding the GeNarrations program, a storytelling initiative for older adults, to foster community and personal growth.
12. **The Firehouse Dream, Inc. (Chicago – Maywood):** Hosting art healing experiences and workshops for area youth and families.
13. **Free Street Theater (Chicago – North Lawndale):** Uplifting marginalized communities through the “In/House” artist-in-residence program.
14. **Theatre Y (Chicago – North Lawndale):** Amplifying the voices of youth in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood through immersive arts education.
15. **Crossing Borders Music (Chicago – Rogers Park):** Bringing culturally responsive string quartet programs to students in Chicago Public Schools.
16. **Chicago Sinfonietta (Chicago and Naperville, IL):** Presenting the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute Concert, titled “Black Being,” to foster belonging and engagement.
17. **Oil Lamp Theater (Glenview, IL):** Offering live theater programs to seniors in partnership with North Shore Senior Center.
18. **Korean Performing Arts Institute of Chicago – KPAC (Skokie, IL):** Showcasing traditional Korean performing arts at a community concert in June 2025.
These diverse projects highlight the Powering the Arts Program’s commitment to supporting a wide range of artistic endeavors that enrich and engage communities across northern Illinois.
Conclusion
The collaboration between ComEd and the League of Chicago Theatres through the Powering the Arts Program continues to make a meaningful impact on local arts organizations, ensuring that artistic expression remains accessible and celebrated in communities throughout northern Illinois. By providing vital funding and support, the program empowers nonprofits to create innovative and engaging projects that enrich the cultural landscape of the region. As the program moves forward, it will undoubtedly continue to nurture creativity, community engagement, and appreciation for the arts among residents of all ages and backgrounds.