Ingenuity

Ingenuity Increasing arts education equity, access & quality for every student, in every grade, at every school

Ingenuity was formed by the vision of more than 400 Chicago leaders - CPS school principals and artists, teachers and funders, heads of museums and community arts organizations, university officials, funders, and parents—all of whom came together over 18 months as part of the groundbreaking Chicago Arts Learning Initiative (CALI) to forge a vision for utilizing the arts to improve public education

for each child, in each school, throughout the city. Through the CALI process, the community identified ways to improve arts education delivery across the school system and developed an action plan. To carry this work forward, Ingenuity was established in May 2011 and Paul Sznewajs, a respected veteran in the local arts education field, was selected as Executive Director.

This month, arts educators and advocates have two opportunities to participate in conversations about the future of CPS....
09/03/2026

This month, arts educators and advocates have two opportunities to participate in conversations about the future of CPS. Participation from Chicago’s arts sector helps ensure arts education remains part of the conversation.

📺 School Board President Forum: A WTTW News Town Hall - Tuesday, Sept. 15

Hear from candidates for school board president during a live conversation moderated by WTTW’s Brandis Friedman.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.wttw.com/events/2026-09-15-1730/chicago-school-board-president-forum-wttw-news-special-town-hall

Submit questions by Thursday, Sept. 10, at 3 p.m.: [email protected]

• • •

🗳️ 2026 Elected Board of Education Candidate Forum - Saturday, Sept. 19

Meet candidates and join breakout sessions by subdistrict to connect with those running to represent your community.

🔗 Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-elected-school-board-district-candidate-forum-tickets-1996244273359?aff=oddtdtcreator

Explore Ingenuity’s School Board Election Resources: https://www.ingenuity-inc.org/why-arts-education-matters/

🎨 What does higher arts access look like for CPS elementary students? The data has an answer.Our new study, The Arts Adv...
09/02/2026

🎨 What does higher arts access look like for CPS elementary students? The data has an answer.

Our new study, The Arts Advantage in Chicago Public Schools, found that elementary schools with higher arts access saw, on average:

📊 70% higher rates of students scoring at or above proficiency on the IAR Math exam

📝 30% higher rates of students scoring at or above proficiency on the IAR ELA exam

These findings add to a growing body of evidence connecting arts access to stronger academic outcomes, starting as early as elementary school.

Explore the full findings:https://www.ingenuity-inc.org/wp-content/uploads/Arts-Advantage-in-CPS.pdf

The Chicago Board of Education has again delayed consideration of a proposed $5.5 million allocation for Chicago Arts Hi...
08/28/2026

The Chicago Board of Education has again delayed consideration of a proposed $5.5 million allocation for Chicago Arts High School. The resolution is expected to return for consideration on September 10.

As a partner supporting arts education across Chicago Public Schools, Ingenuity recognizes the importance of Chicago Arts High School and the community advocating for its future. We also remain committed to ensuring students across the district have access to meaningful, high-quality arts education.

The delay provides an opportunity for important questions about funding, sustainability, transparency and alignment with CPS’s broader arts education commitments to be carefully considered.

Ingenuity will continue working alongside educators, schools, arts partners, families and communities to support a strong future for arts education across CPS.

Learn more about this important development for arts education across CPS in our full update: https://ow.ly/ngua50ZGAtH

📣 We’re excited to release new districtwide research examining the connections between arts access and student success a...
08/25/2026

📣 We’re excited to release new districtwide research examining the connections between arts access and student success across Chicago Public Schools.

The Arts Advantage in Chicago Public Schools: Connectedness, Wellbeing, and Academic Achievement draws on data from all 645 CPS schools. 🎨📚

Among the findings, CPS schools with higher arts access saw, on average:

📈 Higher rates of elementary students scoring at or above proficiency in math and English language arts
🏫 Higher attendance and lower chronic absenteeism among high school students
🎓 Higher college enrollment and persistence

These findings offer powerful new evidence to inform advocacy and investment in equitable arts education across Chicago.

Explore the complete findings and what they could mean for students, schools and the future of arts education in CPS: https://ow.ly/E6Al50ZFiJe

Happy first day of school! 🎉To the arts teachers and teaching artists welcoming students back today: thank you for creat...
08/24/2026

Happy first day of school! 🎉

To the arts teachers and teaching artists welcoming students back today: thank you for creating spaces where young people can find their voices, take creative risks, and see themselves as artists and creators. Your classrooms are where creativity is nurtured, connections are formed, and so much possibility begins.

And to every student beginning a new school year: we hope you have plenty of opportunities to create, explore, express yourself, and discover something new.

Here’s to a joyful school year filled with creativity, connection, and the arts! 🎨🎭🎶

Planning to apply for Creative Schools Fund funding? Join us for our upcoming virtual info session! 🎨Learn more about av...
08/19/2026

Planning to apply for Creative Schools Fund funding? Join us for our upcoming virtual info session! 🎨

Learn more about available grant opportunities, application guidelines and the application process, with time to ask your questions.

📅 Thursday, August 20
⏰ 4:00–5:30 p.m. CT
💻 Virtual

Creative Schools Fund applications are open through September 25, 2026.

🔗 Register for the info session: https://ow.ly/Cw6H50ZBBXg

Creative Schools Fund applications are OPEN! 🎉We’re excited to kick off another Creative Schools Fund cycle—a public-pri...
08/17/2026

Creative Schools Fund applications are OPEN! 🎉

We’re excited to kick off another Creative Schools Fund cycle—a public-private partnership between Chicago Public Schools and Ingenuity that invests in high-quality arts education across CPS.

And this year, we’re especially excited to introduce a new opportunity: Arts Teacher Grants!

We heard from arts teachers about what they need to support their students, and we’re putting that feedback into action. Arts Teacher Grants provide up to $5,000 for teacher-led arts projects, materials, equipment, field trips, performances, and more.

Plus, schools can apply for Partnership Residency Grants of up to $10,000.

📅 Apply by September 25, 2026!

👉 Read the full announcement and explore the grant guidelines: https://ow.ly/qIYU50ZABus

📣 Arts Partners: Important CPS RFQ UpdateCPS has issued a new RFQ for Arts Education Services. Here’s what you should kn...
08/12/2026

📣 Arts Partners: Important CPS RFQ Update

CPS has issued a new RFQ for Arts Education Services. Here’s what you should know:

🎨 All organizations seeking to provide arts programming through CPS are encouraged to apply, including organizations offering programs at no cost.

📌 Current CPS Arts Partner vendors will not automatically transfer to the new vendor pool and must submit a response to the RFQ be considered.

📅 Proposals are due September 11, 2026, at 2 p.m. CT. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Please check your inbox for Ingenuity’s latest email, which includes highlights from the CPS Pre-Submittal Conference. We encourage you to review the full RFQ and supporting materials in Bonfire and begin preparing early.

🎨 Announcing the SY 26-27 Creative Schools Fund timelineThis year’s Creative Schools Fund will include grants in support...
08/07/2026

🎨 Announcing the SY 26-27 Creative Schools Fund timeline

This year’s Creative Schools Fund will include grants in support of arts partner in-school residencies, and new opportunities for all CPS arts teachers to request support for special projects.

Applications open and guidelines outlining full program details will become available on August 17

Application Deadline September 25

Sign up for an info session to learn more.
🔗 https://ow.ly/saki50ZxO09

As a new school year begins, we're excited to bring Chicago's arts education community together through two opportunitie...
08/06/2026

As a new school year begins, we're excited to bring Chicago's arts education community together through two opportunities to connect, collaborate, and build partnerships.

📍 Back-to-School Arts Partner Gathering
Reconnect with fellow arts partners, share updates, and prepare for a successful year ahead.
RSVP Here: https://tinyurl.com/B2School2026

📍 Fall Summit 2026
Meet educators, school leaders, and arts liaisons from across Chicago while showcasing your organization's programs and building meaningful partnerships for the school year.
RSVP Here: https://tinyurl.com/IngenuityFallSummit

🎨 Interested in tabling at Fall Summit?
Arts Partners can request a table by selecting the "Arts Partner Table" ticket when registering.

✨ Space is limited to approximately 60 arts organizations, so we encourage you to register early!

We can't wait to reconnect and celebrate another year of bringing arts learning to students across Chicago.

Address

440 N. Wells Street, Suite 505
Chicago, IL
60654

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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