City of Chicago Resources and Programs

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs


Department Overview

Events, programs, exhibition opportunities, services, and arts community resources at the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs.

Cultural Grants Division
Information on city funding for individual artists and arts organizations through the CAAP, NAAP, and City Arts programs.

Public Art Program
The Chicago Public Art Program implements public art projects in municipal sites throughout Chicago via the city's percent for art ordinance, and offers artists the opportunity to be part of a permanent slide registry from which projects are selected.

Chicago Cultural Center
As one of the most comprehensive free arts showcases in the United States, this landmark building is the setting for hundreds of programs and exhibitions presented annually by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs.

Chicago Office of Tourism
A division of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Tourism markets Chicago as the leisure travel destination both domestically and internationally through advertising, marketing, media relations, and public information services.

After School Matters
After School Matters partners with the City of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Park District to offer teens hands-on job training in the art, music, theater, dance, sports, technology, and communications.

Selected City of Chicago Departments

that offer services to artists and the arts.

Chicago Department of Aging

Chicago Department of Buildings

Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Licensing

Chicago Department of Consumer Services

Chicago Department of Construction and Permits

Chicago Department of Environment

Chicago Department of Housing

Chicago Department of Planning and Development


Chicago Department of Revenue

Chicago Department of Transportation

Chicago Department of Zoning

Chicago Film Office (part of the Mayor's Office of Special Events)


Mayor's Office of Special Events


Other Agencies

Chicago Public Library

Chicago Public Schools