CPS Department of Arts Education
Mission
The CPS Department of Arts Education works to ensure that every Chicago Public Schools student receives a high-quality arts education by creating conditions at the classroom, school, district, and state level that allow the arts to grow and flourish.
Vision
Chicago Public Schools sets the standard for an innovative and impactful arts education that empowers every student to develop the creativity, empathy, curiosity, and confident self-expression that leads to bold and inventive artistic practice, active citizenship, professional success, and personal fulfillment.
Announcements
Check out the most recent arts education announcements and opportunities below!
Apply to be apart of All City Performing Arts 2023 - 2024!
Applications for the 2023–2024 All-City Performing Arts (ACPA) Program are now open! All students in grades 3–12 at any CPS school are eligible to apply, and guardians can apply on their student's behalf. Apply by September 4, 2023.
All ACPA ensembles will be offered every Saturday during the 2023–24 school year in person at Jones College Prep (700 S. State St). See the ensembles and their practice times for the fall of 2023 below.
SY2023-24 Arts Professional Learning & Events
In school year 2023-24, Department of Arts Education Professional Learning will focus on:
- Accelerated, standards-aligned, discipline & grade-level best practices in curriculum, assessment, and instruction.
- Student-centered, culturally responsive instructional strategies centering the CPS Inner Core.
- Arts practice shifts in response to Classroom Learning Conditions.
Click the link below to access the catalog of professional learning this year:
2022 All City Visual Arts Showcase
Check out the virtual exhibition, and view the 2022 All City Visual Arts Scholarship Winners
2022 All City Visual Arts Showcase
Check out the virtual exhibition, and view the 2022 All City Visual Arts Scholarship Winners
Key Resources
Arts Funding Information for Schools
Searching for funding opportunities to supplement your school’s allotted budget for the arts? Here you’ll find information about how to access grant money for arts programming, supplies, and equipment.
Arts Policies and Procedures
Find find links to important policies, memos, and guidance documents generated by Chicago Public Schools and the CPS Department of Arts Education.
Resources for Current Arts Partners
The CPS Department of Arts Education encourages and supports robust collaborations between CPS schools and community arts organizations and teaching artists that bring the rich cultural resources of Chicago into the district’s classrooms.
List of Active CPS Vendors
A regularly-updated list of all active CPS vendors that schools may purchase from.
Creating Opportunities for our Students
Free Visual Art Exhibition Opportunities
The All-City Visual Art Exhibitions provide free art exhibition opportunities for approximately 2,000 students in K-12th grade each year.
Free Performing Arts Ensemble-Based Instruction
The All-City Performing Arts Program provides over 50 hours of free ensemble-based arts instruction for each of the approximately 200 students enrolled in the program annually.
Early College Arts
RE:ALIZE, our two-year arts program for junior and seniors from across the district, provides each student with 12 college credits in the arts prior to graduation.
Connect With Us
Contact Info CPS Arts Department
773-553-2170
cpsarts@cps.edu
Chicago Public Schools
42 W. Madison St, 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60602