In December, Arts DuPage, a DuPage Foundation initiative, secured $300,000 in funding through DuPage County’s Federal Corona Virus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Funds and used it to aid challenged arts organizations in the region. This last-minute emergency support would come as an unexpected gift to the recipients and would help keep local theaters and museums as well as visual and performing arts groups viable until in-person activities could once again revive the area’s now-shuttered arts businesses.
Facing a deadline of only three weeks, Arts DuPage and DuPage Foundation moved at warp speed to collect grant applications, review submissions, and deploy grant checks before year’s end, as required by the federal government. Out of 36 eligible arts organizations, 24 were selected to receive a windfall that will help them navigate any adversities that lie ahead.
Seven of these grantees are based in Naperville, something that should not come as a surprise. The City has long been recognized as an arts-conscious community and is home to several cultural offerings including Naper Settlement, Wentz Concert Hall, and Century Walk’s growing collection of public art installations.
Picture Source: Positively Naperville
