Guidelines

What types of projects are eligible?

• Visual arts projects produced by a temporary or permanent artist-run, or alternative space.
• Visual arts projects that employ unconventional organizational models
• Visual arts projects that are conceived and carried out by a group of individuals and/or collectives
• Visual arts projects with a strong public component (i.e. community based or generated.)

Examples include:

• Curatorial projects that focus on unconventional artistic practice.
• Open-studio events or presentations.
• Publications of writing, including printed matter and online publications.
• A public event, performance, or intervention (with multiple participants).
• A screening, lecture, concert, broadcast, or workshop series at multiple venues.
• A temporary public art project.
• Site-specific presentations.
• Web-based/new media, audio, film, and video projects led by visual artists or arts groups.
• Collaborative projects between the visual arts and other disciplines.

What types of projects are not eligible?

• Projects proposed by a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
• Projects proposed by students.
• Projects proposed by incorporated businesses.
• Projects in which the lead artist/organizer lives outside of Cook County.
• Projects in which all artists/organizers reside outside of Cook County.
• Projects that do not have a public component (i.e., projects which do not involve the public via process, production, or presentation).
• Projects that are not accessible and presented to the public.
• Projects that are carried out by an individual or collective as a single author of the project.
• Proposals for the express purpose of: renting studio space, professional development (classes, services), travel expenses, the purchase or rental of equipment, or hiring of services not otherwise associated with a public project that meets the above criteria.