Which business or organizational structures qualify for the Illinois Creative Recovery (B2B Arts) Program?

In order to qualify to apply for the Illinois Creative Recovery Grant, the business or organization:

1) Must be an independently owned and operated for-profit corporation or limited liability corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship authorized to conduct business in the State of Illinois, or a nonprofit operating in Illinois and registered as a 501c organization; 

    a. Venues, museums, or cultural organizations that are part of larger nonprofit organizations, such as a university, are eligible to apply if they are able to provide financial statements that are audited or have been approved by a board or senior leadership of the parent organization and that reflect only the activities of the venue, museum, or cultural organization.

2) Must have begun operations prior to March 12, 2020, and maintain active operations in Illinois at the time of application. 

3) Must have experienced a loss in earned or contributed revenue of at least $5,000 due to economic disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

4) Must be operating in one of the following industries: 

1. Independent live venue operators – a destination for live entertainment consumers where artistic programming is a main driver of attendance.

2. Performing or presenting arts – artistic disciplines under this category include dance, film, literary arts, media arts, music, theater, and visual arts.

3. Arts education – businesses, including sole proprietors, where a dedicated portion of business operations are focused on providing arts education, or organizations where the primary mission or integral to the primary mission is the provision of arts learning.

4. Museum – in service to the public, dedicated to the procurement, care, study, and display of objects, archival materials, ephemera, or live specimens, of lasting interest or value.

5. Cultural Heritage Organization – a business or organization that meets at least one of the following: community cultural and arts center, an ethnic and cultural awareness organization, or a festival focused on promoting and preserving ethnic, cultural, racial, regional, linguistic, or religious traditions.

See DCEO's Illinois Creative Arts Recovery grant eligibility criteria here

See DCEO's Illinois Creative Arts Recovery FAQ's here

Do you have a more specific eligibility question? The Arts Alliance Help Desk team is here to assist! Submit a ticket with your question to receive individualized support from one of our Help Desk Agents.

Arts Alliance Illinois is serving as a Community Navigator for the Illinois Creative Recovery grant opportunity to share information about the grant and provide potential applicants with technical assistance. Arts Alliance Illinois cannot make final determinations regarding eligibility and will not play a role in determining grant awards. For more information about the Illinois Creative Recovery grants, visit the DCEO website at illinois.gov/b2b