Ingenuity

🎨 Arts Partners: As you prepare for the current Chicago Public Schools RFQ for the Arts Education Vendor Pool, join Ingenuity and Lawyers for the Creative Arts for a free educational webinar on Friday, September 25, at 2 p.m. CT.

Attorney Meredith McBride of McBride Law LLC will discuss key legal requirements within the RFQ, as well as the obligations arts organizations may have once admitted to the vendor pool. There will also be time for audience questions.

The CPS Arts Education Vendor Pool RFQ is due October 2.

📅 Friday, September 25
🕑 2–3:30 p.m. CT
💻 Zoom

🔗 Register for free at https://ow.ly/Ig7u50ZPgZL

🎨 15 years of arts education growth in Chicago Public Schools, and the work continues.

Board Rule is marking National Arts in Education Week with a look at the state of arts education in CPS. The story uses data from our Arts Advantage Study to explore the collaboration helping more students create, perform, explore, and see themselves in the arts.

📖 Read the story:

Chicago Public Schools Marks 15 Years of Arts Ed Growth Today's lead story is presented in partnership with Ingenuity, Chicago's nonprofit arts education hub.

CPS high schools with higher access to the arts saw stronger student outcomes, on average.

Compared to schools with lower arts access, students saw:
📉 Lower chronic absenteeism
📈 Stronger attendance rates
🎓 Higher college enrollment
📚 Better rates of students staying in college after their first year

This National Arts in Education Week, we're spotlighting what we see happening in Chicago classrooms all year long.

Dig into our Arts Advantage study and the case for equitable arts education for every CPS student: https://ow.ly/WoUK50ZNsph🎨

🎨 It’s National Arts in Education Week, September 13–19!

At Ingenuity, we use data to help advance equitable arts education for every CPS student, and the data tells a clear story: arts education supports how Chicago students learn, grow, and connect.

This week, we celebrate everyone who helps make meaningful arts learning possible.

Arts access belongs to every student. 🎨

This month, arts educators and advocates have two opportunities to participate in conversations about the future of CPS. Participation from Chicago’s arts sector helps ensure arts education remains part of the conversation.

📺 School Board President Forum: A WTTW News Town Hall - Tuesday, Sept. 15

Hear from candidates for school board president during a live conversation moderated by WTTW’s Brandis Friedman.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.wttw.com/events/2026-09-15-1730/chicago-school-board-president-forum-wttw-news-special-town-hall

Submit questions by Thursday, Sept. 10, at 3 p.m.: [email protected]

• • •

🗳️ 2026 Elected Board of Education Candidate Forum - Saturday, Sept. 19

Meet candidates and join breakout sessions by subdistrict to connect with those running to represent your community.

🔗 Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-elected-school-board-district-candidate-forum-tickets-1996244273359?aff=oddtdtcreator

Explore Ingenuity’s School Board Election Resources: https://www.ingenuity-inc.org/why-arts-education-matters/

🎨 What does higher arts access look like for CPS elementary students? The data has an answer.

Our new study, The Arts Advantage in Chicago Public Schools, found that elementary schools with higher arts access saw, on average:

📊 70% higher rates of students scoring at or above proficiency on the IAR Math exam

📝 30% higher rates of students scoring at or above proficiency on the IAR ELA exam

These findings add to a growing body of evidence connecting arts access to stronger academic outcomes, starting as early as elementary school.

Explore the full findings:https://www.ingenuity-inc.org/wp-content/uploads/Arts-Advantage-in-CPS.pdf

The Chicago Board of Education has again delayed consideration of a proposed $5.5 million allocation for Chicago Arts High School. The resolution is expected to return for consideration on September 10.

As a partner supporting arts education across Chicago Public Schools, Ingenuity recognizes the importance of Chicago Arts High School and the community advocating for its future. We also remain committed to ensuring students across the district have access to meaningful, high-quality arts education.

The delay provides an opportunity for important questions about funding, sustainability, transparency and alignment with CPS’s broader arts education commitments to be carefully considered.

Ingenuity will continue working alongside educators, schools, arts partners, families and communities to support a strong future for arts education across CPS.

Learn more about this important development for arts education across CPS in our full update: https://ow.ly/ngua50ZGAtH

📣 We’re excited to release new districtwide research examining the connections between arts access and student success across Chicago Public Schools.

The Arts Advantage in Chicago Public Schools: Connectedness, Wellbeing, and Academic Achievement draws on data from all 645 CPS schools. 🎨📚

Among the findings, CPS schools with higher arts access saw, on average:

📈 Higher rates of elementary students scoring at or above proficiency in math and English language arts
🏫 Higher attendance and lower chronic absenteeism among high school students
🎓 Higher college enrollment and persistence

These findings offer powerful new evidence to inform advocacy and investment in equitable arts education across Chicago.

Explore the complete findings and what they could mean for students, schools and the future of arts education in CPS: https://ow.ly/E6Al50ZFiJe

Happy first day of school! 🎉

To the arts teachers and teaching artists welcoming students back today: thank you for creating spaces where young people can find their voices, take creative risks, and see themselves as artists and creators. Your classrooms are where creativity is nurtured, connections are formed, and so much possibility begins.

And to every student beginning a new school year: we hope you have plenty of opportunities to create, explore, express yourself, and discover something new.

Here’s to a joyful school year filled with creativity, connection, and the arts! 🎨🎭🎶

Planning to apply for Creative Schools Fund funding? Join us for our upcoming virtual info session! 🎨

Learn more about available grant opportunities, application guidelines and the application process, with time to ask your questions.

📅 Thursday, August 20
⏰ 4:00–5:30 p.m. CT
💻 Virtual

Creative Schools Fund applications are open through September 25, 2026.

🔗 Register for the info session: https://ow.ly/Cw6H50ZBBXg