2026 ARts dupage Grant Recipients

SUSTAIN GRANTS: $234,795

• Acappellago: $4,500

  (Funded by the Illinois Arts Council Regional Arts Partnership)
  To support a concert series for general audiences, to grow its presence in DuPage, as the only all a cappella choir, and to support outreach to senior centers and local groups.

• Addison Center for the Arts: $5,000

  (Funded by the JCS Arts, Health and Education Fund)
  To support free Tuesday evening concerts on Addison Village Green that provide diverse, accessible music experiences, support local artists, and strengthen community connection across DuPage County.

• Buffalo Theatre Ensemble: $15,000

  To support education. outreach, and job creation capabilities in DuPage County, celebrating its 40th season of professional artists “giving stories life.”

• Camerata Chicago: $15,000

  To support A Midsummer Night’s Dream concert series, bringing world-class classical music, Shakespeare and arts education to DuPage County audiences.

• Chicago a cappella: $5,000

  To support concerts at Wentz Concert Hall and McAninch Arts Center, bringing professional choral music, including new works and culturally diverse repertoire, to DuPage County.

• Chorus of DuPage: $5,000

  (Funded by the Robinwood Legacy Fund)
  To provide the joy of a Capella/barbershop music to seniors, veterans, and other groups at senior residences, patriotic and veteran’s events, and community gatherings throughout DuPage County.

• College of DuPage Foundation: $15,000

  To support featured artists of the MAC’s 26/27 season: Ballet Hispanico, The King’s Singers, Hiplet Ballerinas, NoGravity Theater, Treasure Island Reimagined and Beethoven Lives Upstairs.

• Community School of the Arts, Wheaton College: $5,000

  (Funded by the Robinwood Legacy Fund)
  To support CODA, which provides music instruction to under-resourced students in DuPage County who lack exposure to the arts due to financial and demographic barriers.

• Downers Grove Choral Society: $5,000

  (Funded by the Donor Advised Fund for Needy Children)
  To support a multi-generational “Carmina Burana” performance by DGCS and Anima Children’s Chorus at Wentz Hall, delivering a rich cultural experience and choral excellence to DuPage County audiences.

• DuPage County Historical Museum Foundation: $5,000

  (Funded by the History DuPage Fund)
  To educate patrons about the importance of community and belonging by exploring how their experiences shape them and, in turn, they shape DuPage through personal stories, memories and everyday items.

• DuPage Symphony Orchestra: $15,000

  (Partially funded by the JCS Arts, Health and Education Fund)
  To support community access through music, expanding access to educational, sensory-friendly, and community-based arts experiences that enrich the lives of DuPage County residents.

• Elmhurst Art Museum: $15,000

  (Funded by the JCS Arts, Health and Education Fund)
  To support the production of the “COMPLEX” exhibition, celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Cook/DuPage area artists collective in the summer of 2027.

• Elmhurst Choral Union: $5,000

  (Funded by the Donor Advised Fund for Needy Children)
  To support artistic leadership, pianist, and facility costs necessary to deliver the Holiday Outreach Performances Initiative to DuPage County residents.

• Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra: $3,380

  To support the facilities rental associated with the newly added Holiday Concert in December 2026, the Symphony’s first holiday program.

• Elmhurst University: $4,615

  To connect DuPage County residents with the Elmhurst University Art Collection through expanded installations, fresh interpretation, and guided tours that spark awareness, curiosity, and engagement.

• ESSE Adult Day Services: $10,000

  (Funded by the Martha J. Johnson Fund)
  To support music therapy services to address the physical, emotional, behavioral, and social needs of older adults living with physical and cognitive limitations.

• Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale: $5,000

  (Funded by the Illinois Arts Council Regional Arts Partnership)
  To support concert performances at senior living facilities.

• Illinois Conservatory for the Arts: $7,500

  (Funded by the Illinois Arts Council Regional Arts Partnership)
  To support IMPACT Summer Intensive programs, providing high-level musical theatre and dance training while ensuring 100% scholarship access for DuPage County students.

• Kaivalya Arts: $5,000

  (Funded by the Illinois Arts Council Regional Arts Partnership)
  To support a community dance program featuring youth classes, adult workshops, and a showcase performance that introduces South Indian classical dance, culture, and storytelling.

• Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art: $5,000

  (Funded by the JCS Arts, Health and Education Fund)
  To support the Community Music Programs that provide accessible, high-quality cultural experiences for DuPage County residents while introducing new audiences to the Museum.

• NaperVoice: $2,500

  To assist this unique adult choral ensemble to present two concerts in Naperville in collaboration with area youth musicians and other performing groups.

• New Horizons Band DuPage: $3,500

  To support free concerts at local venues & at assisted-living residences.

• Opera for the Young: $5,000

  (Funded by the JCS Arts, Health and Education Fund)
  To support 8 services of Opera for the Young’s adaptation of Antonín Dvořák’s “Rusalka” in DuPage County elementary schools, featuring a student chorus prepared by host music teachers.

• Paramount Theatre: $15,000

  (Funded by the Shebik Family Fund for Basic Human Needs)
  To support accessibility to the arts with free arts education and adaptive programming for people with disabilities, annually serving over 8,000 individuals.

• Roots & Wings – Alas y Raices: $5,000

  (Funded by the Robinwood Legacy Fund)
  To support arts & cultural programs that promote immigrant integration, celebrate diversity, inspire creativity, strengthen community connections & foster civic participation, heritage, and belonging.

Salt Creek Ballet: $15,000

To support the purchase of portable sprung flooring equipment that ensures safe conditions for dancers.

Sharing Notes: $5,000

(Funded by the Robinwood Legacy Fund)
To support free, live music performances for hospital patients of all ages in two partner DuPage County hospitals to improve patients’ health and wellbeing through the healing power of live music.

Sinfonietta Bel Canto: $5,000

To support orchestral and operatic productions which foster the development of amateur musicians (including senior citizens) and contribute to the appreciation of music by people of all ages.

Sounds Good Choir: $5,000

(Funded by the JCS Arts, Health and Education Fund)
To support musical talent for Hinsdale Good Memories choir which helps residents with early-stage dementia and their caregivers and the program culminates in a free concert.

Spirito!: $5,000

(Funded by the Illinois Arts Council Regional Arts Partnership)
To support the 2027 Spring Concert, Set Me Free, which allows singers to perform challenging and inspiring repertoire in a high-tech, welcoming environment in DuPage County.

The West Towns Chorus: $5,000

To expand online presence of the organization through the use of Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

Young Naperville Singers: $8,800

To support three events facilitating the musical growth of children and youth through music, mentorship and community.