Kalena Chevalier (she/her)
Director of The Creative Schools Fund
Kalena Chevalier led the Cultural Grants Program at the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) from 2016 until May of 2024, concluding her service as the Deputy Commissioner of Cultural Grants and Resources.
During her time at DCASE, the annual grants budget grew from $1.7 million to $12.7 million, alongside an additional $16 million in one-time American Rescue Plan funds. Kalena has 20 years of experience working in Chicago’s arts and culture community.
She has worked artistically and administratively with organizations including Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Writers’ Theatre, and as the Associate Director of Development for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, where she managed foundation and government fundraising efforts over seven years.
She is also a playwright and her plays have been workshopped, developed and produced by several local storefront theaters. Kalena graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with degrees in Theatre, Dramatic Writing and History.