● Funding Opportunities

Empowering artists to thrive.

Through ArtsFunds program and scholarships, the Oak Park Area Arts Council (OPAAC) invests directly in the people and organizations shaping our community’s creative life. By supporting projects, operations, and education, we ensure the arts remain a key part of life in our neighborhoods.

● ArtsFunds Grants

Fueling creativity across our communities.

The ArtsFunds program provides annual grants to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations that enrich the Oak Park Area through performance, education, and visual art. Funded by the Village of Oak Park, the Illinois Arts Council Agency, the National Endowment for the Arts, and other partners, ArtsFunds helps sustain and grow the local arts ecosystem.

Grant Categories:

General Operating Support

For established and emerging nonprofit arts organizations to strengthen their capacity and stability.

Project Support

For arts-based projects or programs that enhance community life through creativity and collaboration.

Grant awards are determined through a community review process based on artistic merit, impact, and contribution to the tri-village area.

Apply for 2025 ArtsFunds

- Oak Park Art League https://www.oakparkartleague.org
- Oak Park Fest Theatre https://oakparkfestival.com
- Madison St Theater https://madisonstreettheater.org
- PING! https://pingoprf.org
- Winifred Haun Dancers https://www.winifredhaun.org
- Chicago a cappella https://www.chicagoacappella.org
- Chicago West Community Music Center https://www.cwcmc.org
- MOMENTA https://momentadances.org
- Compound Yellow https://compoundyellow.com
- Frank Lloyd Wright Trust https://flwright.org
- Terrain Exhibitions https://terrainexhibitions.org
- Historical Society https://oprfmuseum.org
- Wonder Works https://wonder-works.org
- La Caccina https://lacaccina.org
- Choreospace https://www.choreospace.org
- Ernest Hemingway https://www.hemingwaybirthplace.com
- Forest Park Arts Alliance https://forestparkarts.org
- Handel Week https://www.handelweek.com
- Oak Leyden https://oak-leyden.org
- Oak Park Concert Chorale https://oakparkconcertchorale.org/
- Pro Musica https://www.promusicayouthchorus.org
- Heritage Chorale https://www.heritagechorale.com
- Speculative Literature Foundation https://speculativeliterature.org
- Symphony OPRF https://symphonyoprf.org
- Expressions Graphics https://expressions-studio.org
- Illinois Storytelling Inc https://storytelling.org
- Oriana Singers https://www.oriana.org
- Thrive https://www.thrivecc.org
- Spirito Singers https://www.spiritosingers.org
- Michael Teolis https://www.mtsingers.org
- 19th Century https://ncca.memberclicks.net
- Habbakkuk Theatre https://www.habakkuktheatre.org

Camille Wilson White

“The work that artists create, especially in programs like Off the Wall, are vital to the community.”
Yves Hughes Jr.

“A community is defined by its commitment to the arts and since 1974 OPAAC has been a there for artists and arts organizations.”

● Scholarships

Scholarships

Each year, OPAAC awards scholarships to high school seniors pursuing arts-related degrees. These merit-based awards recognize artistic promise and academic achievement, and they’re made possible through generous donations and endowed funds that secure the future of the arts in our community.

Apply for Scholarships

Congratulations to our 2025 Scholarship Recipients:

Hailie Donald
Jude Peterson
Kaspian Murray
Joseph Gerstenmaier

● Impact

Art that grows community.

Every grant awarded, every mural painted, every performance shared has a ripple effect — sparking connection, supporting creativity, and enriching everyday life.

Learn more about OPAAC