The Trust believes that the strength of our region's cultural vitality is rooted in the diversity of community-based arts and cultural organizations that create affordable and accessible arts opportunities for all residents. SMART Growth is a 4-year capacity building program designed to ensure that these organizations benefit from sound management practices that effectively support their art and ensure their resilience through economic shifts, staff transitions, and evolving markets. Potential grantees should be deeply rooted in and reflective of a community, target population or art form that is underrepresented in the cultural spectrum of the Chicago region.
Eligibility
- Must be a qualified 501(c)(3), tax-exempt organization, as defined by the Internal Revenue Service Code
- Must be incorporated as an arts and culture organization (not a social service agency, college/university, etc. with an affiliated arts/cultural program)
- Must be located in and primarily serve Cook County
- Must have an annual operating budget that is less than $1 million in its most recently audited fiscal year
- Must have at least one paid management staff person
- Must have a functioning, volunteer Board of Directors
- Prior SMART Growth grant recipients are not eligible to apply
Grant Cycle and Deadlines
| January 2011 | 30 organizations are selected to participate in the SMART Growth Program |
| Feb – Aug 2011 | The selected organizations participate in the smARTscope assessment to identify management areas that are strong and those that are lagging (conducted by the Arts & Business Council of Chicago) |
| September 2011 | Year 1 grant proposals are due, indicating how you will address the lagging areas, what outcomes you will achieve in Year 1, and how you will measure your progress. Requests may be from $20,000-$50,000 per year. |
| January 2012 | Year 1 grants are approved for the selected organizations. |
| September 2012 | Year 2 grant proposals are due, summarizing your progress to date and setting outcomes and measures for Year 2. |
| January 2013 | Year 2 grants are approved for the same 30 organizations (unless performance does not justify a renewal). |
| September 2013 | Year 3 grant proposals are due, summarizing your progress to date and setting outcomes and measures for Year 3. |
| January 2014 | Year 3 grants are approved for the same 30 organizations (unless performance does not justify a renewal). |
How to Apply
In order to be considered for the 2011 SMART Growth Program, your organization should submit the information listed below by e-mail only, to no later than November 1, 2010.
Contact Us
Arts & Culture staff
312.565.2311
For questions about completing the Illinois Cultural Data Project:
Illinois CDP Help Desk
866.99-ILCDP (866.994.5237)
