Cook County Announces 14 Recipients of Cook County Arts Creative Placemaking Grants

Thu, 07/31/2025 - 12:00

COOK COUNTY, IL–Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced today 14 nonprofit organizations that will receive Cook County Arts Creative Placemaking grants, which will fund transformative, community-led art projects in suburban communities.

Recipients will receive grants ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 to lead the development of public murals, community gardens, arts centers and other projects that advance vibrant, sustainable and inclusive communities.

“The arts and culture sector unites neighborhoods, creates jobs and supports local economies,” said President Preckwinkle. “These grants will support inspiring projects that center community and the arts as the foundation for positive and long-lasting impact. When we support artists and nonprofit arts organizations across Cook County, we promote expression, foster understanding and spark creativity."

Cook County Arts is a $5 million initiative led by the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development and focuses on strengthening the suburban arts and culture sector. The initiative is supported by funding the County received through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The County allocated $2.75 million to the Cook County Arts Creative Placemaking grant program, which opened in February 2025. Creative placemaking integrates arts, culture and design activities into efforts that strengthen communities.

For this program, nonprofit organizations located in and serving suburban Cook County communities were invited to serve as the lead applicant and were encouraged to work with a team of community stakeholders to develop their applications. Proposed projects leveraged arts and culture to improve communities' economic, physical and social vitality.

The recipients of Cook County Arts Creative Placemaking grants are:

ARTSiE Inc.
Berwyn Development Corporation
Brookfield Theater Corporation
Cornerstone Community Development Corporation
Glenview Art League
Homewood Science Center
Just Roots
Oakton College Educational Foundation
Open Studio Project
Restoration Ministries, Inc.
Riverdale Park District
SD89 Education Foundation
SGA Youth and Family Services
Southland Development Authority

Cook County has partnered with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and Arts Alliance Illinois to manage the Cook County Arts Creative Placemaking program, which received over 100 submissions. A panel of outside experts reviewed and ranked applications based on program requirements. LISC, a national leader in creative placemaking, will lead peer-to-peer learning circles and provide technical assistance for grant recipients as they implement projects.

“Congratulations to this inspiring group of grantees whose creative visions will bring new life to public spaces and strengthen the cultural fabric of their communities,” said LISC Senior Executive Director Meghan Harte. "These winning projects reflect the power of investing in arts and culture as a tool for community development, honoring the identity of each place while activating public spaces in ways that serve, inspire and unite. Thank you to Cook County for making this possible. This partnership builds on LISC’s ongoing commitment to creative placemaking.”

Additional Background:

The Southland Development Authority will use grant funding to continue the development of the Hazel Crest Creative Arts Center. Plans include renovating the interior space to include units for dance, ceramics, painting and other activities.

“We are honored to receive this Cook County Arts grant, which affirms the power of creativity as a catalyst for community transformation,” said Southland Development Authority CEO Bo Kemp. “This investment will help us reimagine underutilized spaces in Hazel Crest into a vibrant, transit-connected arts district that celebrates culture, drives foot traffic and supports local business. It’s a bold example of how arts-led development can spur economic growth and amplify regional identity.”

In 2024, Cook County Arts awarded $790,000 in grants to 100 nonprofit arts and culture organizations in suburban Cook County. On behalf of Cook County, Arts Alliance Illinois is leading a year-long ecosystem assessment of the arts and culture sector in suburban Cook County. Feedback will provide recommendations for how Cook County can support the suburban arts sector in the future.

“Cook County's historic investment in the suburban arts sector is a powerful recognition of the role that culture and creativity play in building thriving, connected communities,” said Claire Rice, executive director of Arts Alliance Illinois. “Arts Alliance is proud to partner with the County on the ecosystem assessment, which will help lay the groundwork for a more equitable and coordinated cultural landscape. And we’re equally excited to celebrate the Creative Placemaking grantees, whose work brings this vision to life on the ground throughout the Cook County suburbs."

For more information on Cook County Arts, including details on the Creative Placemaking grant recipients and their projects, visit cookcountyarts.org or email info@cookcountyarts.org.