The City of Highland Park through the Cultural Arts Commission (CAC) is making funds available to organizations in the community for projects relating to cultural arts. This year the CAC has applied for a grant from the Illinois Arts Council (IAC) to supplement its local arts re-granting program. The IAC grant combined with the City's local provision of funds creates the Community Arts Access Grant Program.

Projects eligible for funding are those which provide benefits for persons who reside and/or work in Highland Park. The funds are available for specific projects, but not operating expenses or capital expenditures. Proposals must demonstrate how the project benefits Highland Park residents and that a significant number of Highland Park residents will be served by the project. Special attention should be paid to the financial and budget information requested, as well.

While the application is basically the same as in years past, several items in the application have been modified. Those items are in bold and underlined.

The deadline for submitting the application is Thursday, August 31, 2006. Thirteen copies of the application and attachments (one original and 12 copies) should be submitted to the Cultural Arts Commission, c/o Department of Community Development, 1150 Half Day Rd., Highland Park, IL 60035.

PDF forms are available by clicking on the links below:

• Grant Guidelines and Review Criteria
• Application Form
• Application Checklist
• Evaluation Form

Representatives from organizations submitting an application will be invited to attend a public meeting with the CAC to answer questions regarding their application. This meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, October 10, 2006. The CAC will recommend to the City Council the funding allocations for the applications.

If you have any questions regarding the Community Arts Access Program, please email Elizabeth Zeller or call (847) 926-1857.