Announcing E(art)H Chicago, a citywide initiative to stimulate community engagement on climate change and environmental justice from the Southeast Industrial Corridor to the North Branch of the Chicago River. Using Chicago as their canvas, artists will be called to raise awareness of key environmental issues in communities across the city and nurture urgency, hope and inspire action in neighborhoods. City of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle will serve as honorary co-chairs of the project. Introduced at this year’s final Friends of the Parks’ Walter Netsch Virtual Lecture Series on December 8th, the program is now taking letters of interest from those who have a creative concept and wish to apply for a grant. 

With more than $300,000 in grants, the Illinois Science & Energy Innovation Foundation, Builders Initiative, the Chicago Frontline Funding Initiative and the Regeneration Fund invite artists and not-for-profit organizations to apply for funding and have until January 31st, 2022 to do so. One large artwork project will be funded and placed downtown in a highly visible location in order to unify and draw attention to the other artworks in neighborhoods across the city. Grants, ranging from $7,500 – $100,000, will go to individual artists (age 18+), collaborative groups or 501(C)(3) organizations (including those that work with youth. Applicants from all backgrounds, artist experience levels and perspectives are welcome to apply. For more information about the application process, visit www.iseif.org or www.earthartchicago.org.