Inspiring Creativity

11 Years of Supporting Arts Education in Chicago Public Schools Through the Creative Schools Fund

Ingenuity Chicago is excited to unveil its inaugural Creative Schools Fund (CSF) Impact Report, celebrating 11 years of transformative arts education investments in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) from 2013 to 2024. Ingenuity has been a driving force in reshaping arts education in CPS, investing over $21 million in schools since 2013. With more than 1,300 competitive grants reaching 740,000 students across 446 schools, Ingenuity’s Creative Schools Fund stands as the largest philanthropic investment in CPS arts education. 

Born from the 2012 CPS Arts Education Plan, CSF was created to foster a groundbreaking public-private partnership that ensures sustainable arts programming throughout the district. This powerful collaboration between Ingenuity, Chicago Public Schools, and the City of Chicago, addresses the evolving needs of students, educators, and schools. 

The Creative Schools Fund is a one-of-a-kind initiative designed to ensure that every dollar invested directly benefits students by supporting teacher-led arts programs and offering full transparency in fund allocation. Another critical component of CSF funding is through the Lollapalooza Arts Education Fund (LAEF), launched in 2021 with a $2.2 million five-year commitment. The newly released Creative Schools Fund Impact Report provides a comprehensive overview of the Fund’s history and operations, revealing its significant impact on arts education in CPS. The report highlights how CSF grants have enhanced educational opportunities, funding everything from essential arts supplies to competitive grants for artist residencies, student engagement, and the development of permanent arts spaces.

“The Creative Schools Fund has been instrumental in expanding equitable access to the arts and empowering educators and students throughout Chicago,” said Nicole Upton, Executive Director of Ingenuity Chicago. “As CPS begins developing its new Arts Education Plan, the Fund will again play a crucial role, helping operationalize and fund initiatives that ensure all students, regardless of their background or neighborhood, benefit from the opportunities the new plan will create.”

The Creative Schools Fund stands out for its ability to track the tangible impact of its investments, ensuring that every dollar spent advances the goal of providing exceptional arts education. By focusing on direct investments in student-centered arts programs, CSF has catalyzed a profound cultural transformation across CPS, cementing arts education as an indispensable part of every student’s learning experience. As CPS prepares for the next evolution of its Arts Education Plan, CSF is poised to continue driving the systemic changes necessary to create equitable access to arts opportunities throughout the district.

Read the 2013-2024 CSF Impact Report

View CSF Impact Report Summary

About the Creative Schools Fund
Launched in 2013, the Creative Schools Fund (CSF) emerged from the vision of the 2012 Chicago Public Schools Arts Education Plan. Established by Ingenuity through a groundbreaking public-private partnership with Chicago Public Schools and the City of Chicago, the Fund was designed to address critical gaps in arts education across the district.

CSF investments empower schools by supporting teacher-led and teacher-designed programs that enhance arts instruction, build the capacity of arts educators, and ensure sustainable access to high-quality arts education. Ingenuity’s data-driven approach strategically directs funding to schools that need it most, enabling arts programs that would otherwise be out of reach for students.

Since its inception, CSF has invested over $21M in arts programming within CPS, sparking significant positive changes in schools. These investments have contributed to increased student engagement, improved academic outcomes, and the creation of more vibrant, inclusive school cultures.