
Mayor Lightfoot, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) announce a series of summer opportunities for artists, creatives, and vendors.
The programs include professional development events, opportunities for individual artists and arts organizations, and opportunities for businesses and vendors.
Professional Development Events
The Keys to Film Law Part 1: Rights Acquisition
Thursday, July 30, 3pm
Free, advance registration required
Lawyers for the Creative Arts and the Chicago Film Office invite indie filmmakers to a multi-part series of webinars on film law principles. The kick-off segment will introduce the series and focus on the first key to filmmaking – Acquisition of Rights. Remaining segments will cover the other key film law areas that indie filmmakers need to make their film projects run efficiently and avoid unwelcome surprises. Each segment in the series will feature well-known representatives from the film and legal communities, bringing their years of practical experience to each of the topics. To learn more and register, VISIT HERE
Opportunities for Individual Artists
INVEST South/West Artist-in-Residence Program Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
Submissions Deadline: Sunday, July 26, 2020

DCASE, in partnership with the Department of Planning and Development (DPD), seeks artists to participate in the INVEST South/West (ISW) Artist in Residence Program. ISW is an unprecedented community improvement initiative from Mayor Lightfoot to marshal the resources of multiple City departments, community organizations and corporate partners toward neighborhoods on Chicago’s South and West sides. Through the ISW Artist in Residence program, artists will be employed as creative strategists to help city agencies and community stakeholders develop and execute projects that leverage art and creativity as part of a broad and integrated community and economic development plan. For more information and application VISIT HERE.
Call for INVEST South/West Artist-in-Residence Selection Panelists
Application Deadline: Sunday, July 26, 2020
Selection panels will be assembled with city representatives, artists, and stakeholders including at least two community representatives for each of the four INVEST South/West (ISW) Artist-in-Residence neighborhoods (Englewood, Auburn Gresham, New City and Austin). Members of the selection panels will review applications, assist in interviewing artist finalists, and help select the final artists for the ISW Artist-in Residence Program. For requirements and information VISIT HERE.
Call for Chicago Cultural Center Learning Lab Virtual Programs
Applications accepted on a rolling basis

The Chicago Cultural Center’s Learning Lab invites artists to share their craft in hands-on “Meet an Artist” programs. As the Chicago Cultural Center remains closed to the public in response to COVID-19, we invite artists to propose activities that can be shared with the public through live video. We are especially interested in activities that align with the Year of Chicago Music. To apply, visit VISIT HERE.
City of Chicago Mural Registry
Applications accepted on a rolling basis

DCASE recently launched the new City of Chicago Mural Registry, a publicly-accessible database documenting the growing collection of murals across the city on both private and public property. Artists, organizations and property owners are encouraged to register completed murals by submitting an application. For more information about the registration process application and process, VISIT HERE.
Opportunities for Arts Organizations
Chicago Youth Music Exchange Applications Now Open
Applications accepted on a rolling basis
Chicago-based youth music ensembles/programs are invited to apply to the Chicago Youth Music Exchange, a pilot cross-neighborhood, cross-program exchange beginning this summer online, and potentially Fall or Winter in-person. Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE) is curating this new pilot program for the Year of Chicago Music and DCASE. For information and application VISIT HERE.
Opportunities for Businesses and Vendors
2020 Chicago City Markets Vendor Applications

Farmers, food entrepreneurs and artisans are invited to submit applications to sell their produce and locally-sourced and -made food products at some of our neighborhood City Market locations. Due to COVID-19 precautions, food may not be prepared on site by any market vendors. For more information and application VISIT HERE.