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All artistic vitality articles

Foundation completes Grantee Perception Study

The Center for Effective Philanthropy carries out confidential blind surveys of a foundation’s recent grantees as well as declined grant seekers, and analyzes the results both in isolation and in comparison to other foundations. GDDF participated in a sur

Arts Work Fund for Organizational Development

If you are a small arts or cultural organization in the Chicago metropolitan region with a budget under $1 million, you may be eligible for a grant from the Arts Work Fund for Organizational Development, a new funding collaborative of which the Gaylord an

Nonprofit organizations are people, too – Act II: Growing up and moving forward

Two small arts organizations in Chicago share the stories of how they've matured over the years.

The growth and development of nonprofits: Life cycles of small arts organizations

Nonprofit organizations, like people, go through a variety of life cycle stages as they develop. We have asked a range of Chicago-based small arts groups that are celebrating milestone anniversaries to reflect on where they see their organizations in the

Nonprofits are people, too, Act I: Young arts organizations

Two young Chicago small arts groups take a look at where they are in the life cycle of their organizations.

The few, the proud: arts on the South Side

Most arts groups are downtown or on the North Side, but a number of South Side groups serve as cultural and community anchors.

Cultivating community in solitary art of writing

Several Chicago organizations help writers and readers find places to share their thoughts and their work.

Arts groups define niches in SC Lowcountry

There is plenty of art beyond Charleston in South Carolina's Lowcountry thanks to determined efforts by individuals and organizations.

Thrills and chills: Original work is risky, rewarding

There is a lot of risk involved in producing a script from a new playwright or commissioning orginal work by a little-known choreographer. But a handful of Chicago-area organizations produce nothing but original work. Hothouse takes chances by producing m

Survey paints portrait of Chicago arts community

Arts organizations are spread unevenly around the city, but share many common challenges.

Talent but no barn: Tricks of mobile troupes

Some troupes make the most of the challenge of working from different venues.

Special arts focus: women nurturing women

Some arts groups strive to enhance opportunities for women.

Cross-town exchange brings collaboration, new audiences

Two Chicago theatres use an annual bus trip to connect their subscribers to each other's shows.

New homes for Raven and Lookingglass theatres

A former grocery store and a historic pumping station are new homes for Chicago theatres.

New digs down South for Art Forms

After years renting space, a Charleston, SC, theatre finds a home in the community.

Artisans center opens doors for SC artists

Hundreds of South Carolina artists find an outlet - and an audience - in the town of Walterboro.

Growth necessary to fulfill mission, but how?

The CUBE Contemporary Chamber Ensemble has a big responsibility, says co-artistic director Patricia Morehead: "to keep the art form of classical music alive."

Aisle-lights violation hits a small theatre hard

Until Memorial Day weekend in 1999, Stage Left Theatre encountered only the usual challenges to produce original plays "that raise the level of debate on social and political issues." Then city officials interrupted a late-night performance and

Jim Lasko on how Redmoon Theater grew up

The theatre's artistic director talks about momentum, money and board development.

Collaboration is recipe for survival and growth

Collaboration is recipe for survival and growth

Finally, clarity on the building code for theaters

Every few years, city inspectors have shut down a host of small theaters for building code violations. It wasn't a singling out of the arts, they said, just part of periodic sweeps of all licensed businesses, category by category.

How one organization used training resources to grow

It seems like every day in Chicago some new troupe pops up and wows everyone, but many soon fade away. Mad Shak Dance Company, which burst upon the scene in 1994 with original, collaborative choreography, sought out help to keep itself going.