The Waukegan Arts Council (WAC) is offering the 2025 Micro Grant Program to support local artists with a strong connection to Waukegan, Illinois. The council, partially funded by the Illinois Arts Council Agency, aims to encourage the creation and accessibility of art within the community by providing financial assistance to working artists. The micro grant initiative targets individual artists who are actively engaged in their artistic practice and can demonstrate a clear need for funding to support their work.

The grant provides up to $500 per recipient and is intended to subsidize costs related to art production. Eligible expenses include supplies, equipment, venue rental, educational opportunities, and other resources directly related to the artist's practice. However, the funds may not be used for salaries or benefits. The total funding pool for the 2025 program is $2,500, to be distributed among selected applicants.

Applicants must meet specific criteria to be considered. They must be artists with a direct connection to Waukegan and must provide a recent example of their work. Additionally, they are required to explain how they intend to use the grant funds and how their project will benefit the Waukegan community. Submissions must include a narrative describing the artist’s background, their art form, the proposed use of funds, and its community impact. A budget outlining planned expenditures is also required. Optional but encouraged materials include letters of support and photographs of the artist’s work.

Applications open on April 10, 2025, and all materials must be submitted by May 31, 2025. Submissions can be made online via PDF uploads or sent by mail to the Waukegan Arts Council at 39 Jack Benny Drive, Waukegan, Illinois 60087. A grant workshop will be held on April 23, 2025, at 6:30 pm at the Three Brothers Theatre, providing applicants with guidance on the application process. RSVPs for the workshop should be sent to waukeganartscouncil@gmail.com.

Grants will be reviewed by the WAC Board of Directors in June, with award announcements and fund distribution occurring by June 30, 2025. Selected grantees must sign a Grant Agreement to receive funds and are required to acknowledge WAC in all related publications. Recipients must utilize the funds within six months and submit a final report, including photographs and documentation of fund usage. Failure to submit a report renders the recipient ineligible for future WAC funding.

For questions regarding the application, individuals can reach out to the Waukegan Arts Council via email at waukeganartscouncil@gmail.com.