By CGN Staff

Hyde Park Art Center has announced the sixth round of its Artists Run Chicago Fund, awarding $104,000 in unrestricted grants to 13 independent artist-run platforms across Chicago. Each recipient receives $8,000 to support operations, programming, and artist-led initiatives.

Launched in 2021, the regranting initiative has now distributed more than $1.2 million to over 100 artist-run platforms, prioritizing organizations led by BIPOC artists and those providing critical infrastructure for Chicago’s contemporary art community.

2025 Grant Recipients

This year’s grantees include performance venues, exhibition programs, festivals, publications, and a podcast:

{}() {}∆‡!(){} Tangential Unspace Art Lab; Arts at First; Blanc Gallery; Chuquimarca; Fourtunehouse Art Center; Inga; Jupiter Magazine; Little Village Arts Festival; LMRM; Mayfield; noseyAF podcast; Tala; and Terrain Exhibitions.

Impact of the Fund

Artists Run Chicago Fund provides flexible, unrestricted support to artist-run platforms—spaces operated by artists to create opportunities for other artists through exhibitions, public programs, and experimental projects. The fund strengthens artist-to-artist networks and helps sustain work that might not fit within traditional institutional models.

Several recipients shared how the grant will support upcoming work. Little Village Arts Festival noted the funding brings the organization closer to securing a permanent gallery space ahead of its 20th anniversary. Terrain Exhibitions plans to use the grant to support its Artist-in-Residence program and future public programming, while LMRM cited the funding as essential to rebuilding capacity following a period of organizational growth and transition. noseyAF podcast will use the support to expand its archive of artist interviews and conversations.

Funders and Jury

The 2025 Artists Run Chicago Fund is supported by the Good Chaos Foundation and the Local South Foundation. This year’s jury included Jada-Amina, Max Li, and Kitty Rauth, all affiliated with longstanding artist-run initiatives in Chicago.

Since its launch during the COVID-19 pandemic, Artists Run Chicago Fund has provided critical financial relief to artist-run platforms, reinforcing Hyde Park Art Center’s long-term commitment to Chicago’s independent art ecosystem.

Top: Photo: Mural Artists creating Nature is Art's Muse, Hyde Park Art Center 2025. Lead Artist: Dorian Syvain. Photo by Mike Nourse