ComEd, League of Chicago Theatres Award $205,000 in Grants to Support the Arts

Nineteen projects across northern Illinois selected through the ComEd Powering the Arts Grant Program

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ComEd and the League of Chicago Theatres today announced the recipients of the 2026 Powering the Arts Grant Program. Celebrating its ninth year, the program is awarding a total of $205,000 to 19 nonprofit organizations across northern Illinois. These funds will support a range of arts initiatives, from youth creative development to engaging community experiences.

“ComEd is proud to partner with the League of Chicago Theatres to support local arts programs that enrich our neighborhoods,” said Melissa Washington, senior vice president of Government, Regulatory and External Affairs at ComEd. “This year’s recipients continue to advance that mission. Each project celebrates the vibrancy of our communities, and they collectively expand access to live performances, music education, community festivals and opportunities for creative expression for the people we serve.”

Since its launch in 2018, the Powering the Arts Grant Program has awarded nearly $1.5 million in grant funding to support over 150 different arts and cultural projects within the ComEd service territory. ComEd and the League of Chicago Theatres work closely together to administer the program. Grant applications are reviewed by an external panel of judges, and grant recipients match the award funding with their own investment of equal or greater value towards their project.

“Arts and culture enrich our neighborhoods and play an essential role in building thriving communities,” said Executive Director of the Chicago League of Theatres Marissa Lynn Jones. “As we enter the 2027 grant season, our ongoing partnership with ComEd reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the arts sector and expanding access to creative experiences across our region. By supporting local arts organizations, we are helping them deepen their community impact, engage new audiences, and contribute to more vibrant, connected, and resilient communities.”

ComEd remains committed to working with local organizations to invest in projects that improve quality of life for northern Illinois residents. The Powering the Arts Grant Program is one of ComEd’s four Power for Good grant programs empowering communities across northern Illinois together with the Powering Safe Communities Grant Program, the Green Region Grant Program and the Powering the Holidays Grant Program.

More information about ComEd grant opportunities is available at ComEd.com/Grants.

The 2026 ComEd Powering the Arts Grant Program recipients and their funded projects include:

Paramount Arts Centre, Inc (Aurora) will expand its programming that creates meaningful opportunities to experience live theater with more targeted theater engagement events serving more than 500 Aurora educators, nurses, first responders, veterans and seniors.

Mandi Theater (Buffalo Grove) will expand its accessibility initiative throughout its 10^th Annual International Theatre Festival by removing financial, linguistic, and engagement barriers.

John Walt Foundation (Chicago, Austin) will expand its six-week Summer Apprenticeship Program, providing 20 to 25 West Side youth with paid creative arts and workforce development opportunities.

The Chicago Mosaic School (Chicago, Edgewater) will relaunch its Teaching the Teachers program, providing affordable mosaic arts training to approximately 200 local educators who collectively serve more than 3,000 students.

The World Music Foundation (Chicago, Edgewater) will present 22 live world music sessions for approximately 660 seniors and families, bringing global music experiences directly to those living in Chicago affordable housing communities.

UrbanTheater Company (Chicago, Humboldt Park) will launch Cruzando Generaciones (Crossing Generations), a weekend theater workshop series for Humboldt Park and surrounding area high school students that connects teens and older adults through theater, storytelling and oral history.

Uniting Voices (Chicago, Hyde Park) will expand upon and launch new North Lawndale school programs to provide choral instruction and performance opportunities impacting up to 300 students.

Culture Shock Chicago NFP (Chicago, Lincoln Park) will expand its Shockwaves hip-hop arts program to rural northern Illinois schools and communities who currently have limited arts access, reaching approximately 3,000 students and community members.

Young People's Theatre of Chicago (Chicago, Lincoln Park) will launch the Student Access Initiative aimed at expanding access to live theater for approximately 1,500 students from 25 Chicago Public Schools through free tickets and transportation assistance.

Midnight Circus in the Parks (Chicago, Lincoln Square) will bring four free circus performances, interactive juggling activities and dedicated transportation from a local senior center to Brighton Park, providing access for up to 1,600 attendees.

Villapalooza Inc. (Chicago, Little Village) will expand its free Little Village Arts and Music Festival that includes local and national artists, community resources and ongoing public engagement, reaching more than 3,000 attendees.

The Joffrey Ballet (Chicago, Loop) will present Joffrey for All, a free outdoor dance performance at Gallagher Way expected to reach up to 3,000 people.

Project H.O.O.D. (Chicago, South Side) will launch its first dedicated theater and performing arts program which will provide 40 to 60 children in Englewood and Woodlawn with free theater training before a public community showcase.

TimeLine Theatre Company (Chicago, Uptown) will provide Chicago teens with a free six-week summer program combining theater training, professional mentorship and a paid opportunity to create original performances.

Illinois Conservatory for the Arts (DuPage) will launch the IMPACT Access Initiative to provide free or low-cost performing arts opportunities to approximately 250 students and create pathways into scholarships, return events and audition preparation.

Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra, Inc. (Elgin) will provide free after-school violin and viola instruction and instruments to fourth-grade students across the Fox Valley region.

Angels Athletics (Flossmoor) will expand its Angels in the Arts programming through artist workshops, cultural outings, dance and an intergenerational musical production serving youth, families and seniors.

Freeport Art Museum (Freeport) will expand Paint the Port to include more live music and additional sponsored painting opportunities for approximately 1,500 participants and visitors.

Spotlight Performance Academy (Homewood) will launch a new senior community choir in Homewood and Flossmoor, engaging at least 60 seniors in music and intergenerational performances.

ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC), a Fortune 200 company and one of the nation’s largest utility companies, serving more than 10.7 million electricity and natural gas customers. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4.2 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state’s population. For more information, visit ComEd.com, and connect with the company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and YouTube.

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