The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Creative Places Award

Applications closed on 11/19/2025. Check back next year!

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Creative Places Award recognizes projects in the Chicago region that leverage the power of the arts, culture, and creativity to serve a community’s interest, while driving a broader agenda of change, growth and transformation in a way that builds character and quality of place. Read more about the award »

Urban Juncture for Boxville, a 2019 Creative Places Award winner

Applications are currently closed. You may not submit an application until the application period opens. Applications closed on 11/19/2025. Check back next year!

Project

Project Name (required)

Neighborhood Name

Briefly describe the creative placemaking practice or project, the community where it is located, and who participates.

Describe the community challenge or opportunity that is being addressed by the creative placemaking practice, and its impact to-date.

How have community members and residents been meaningfully engaged in planning, creating, and sustaining this work?

How does the practice support or leverage existing cultural and community assets?

What innovations were required to begin and continue this creative placemaking practice?

What is the longer-term vision for the creative placemaking practice?

Media

Up to 10 photos or a video link can be included but are not required.

Supporting Photos

Only image files (.png, .jpg, etc.) are accepted. Images must be a maximum of 5MB in size.

Video LinkLink to a video hosted on a video-sharing service like Dropbox or YouTube.

Contact

Name (required)

Organization (required)

Title

Address

Phone Number (required)

Email (required)

How did you learn about the opportunity to apply for this award?