Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE) Receives $20,000 Arts DuPage Grant from DuPage Foundation

 In The CAPE Blog

Arts DuPage Director Debbie Venezia (pictured on the left) presented the grant to Amy Rasmussen, Executive Director and Hannah Martin, Program Coordinator in West Chicago at the DuPage Foundation Holiday reception in December 2024.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

Contact Information: Amy Rasmussen, amy@capechicago.org

Press release – January 20, 2025 – Chicago, Illinois—Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE) received a $20,000 grant through DuPage Foundation’s Arts DuPage grant program to help support arts education programs in West Chicago School District 33. DuPage Foundation awarded nearly $580,000 to 56 not-for-profit organizations across DuPage County through its fall discretionary grant programs – Community Impact, Arts DuPage, and Glen Ellyn Fund. This vital investment in education, environment, animal welfare, and arts organizations will directly empower these organizations to continue their critical work, making a real and lasting difference in the lives of countless residents, and affirm DuPage’s reputation as a destination for the arts. 

CAPE’s mission is to inspire students’ passion for learning by bringing academics to life through original, creative learning projects, designed by artists and teachers, leading to improved grades and confidence.  CAPE was founded in 1993, and since then has served thousands of students, teachers and community members.  

CAPE is truly grateful to the DuPage Foundation for its support of its after-school programming serving Turner Elementary School and Currier Elementary School in West Chicago School District 33.  The majority of those funds go into the classroom supporting professional teaching artists work with students.  Funding from the DuPage Foundation enables CAPE to provide training and employment opportunities for DuPage County artists — developing their skills as educators and community leaders.

“We are proud to share that 72% percent of eligible grant applications submitted this fall received funding,” said Barb Szczepaniak, DuPage Foundation vice president for programs. “Our grant program exists because of generous donors who have made unrestricted gifts or established endowed field-of-interest funds at the Foundation. These ‘forever funds’ are invested wisely and generate income that fuels our discretionary grantmaking. While the number of requests we receive always exceeds the amount of funding available in our budget, this cycle we received $217,550 in additional support for grants from local funders and our donor-advised fund partners. By working together, we are providing critical support to our community’s not-for-profits. That’s the power of coordinated impact at work!”  

“DuPage County has a thriving arts scene, providing world class experiences right here,” said Debbie Venezia, director of Arts DuPage. “By supporting our local arts not-for-profits, Arts DuPage is ensuring these organizations flourish as they continue to contribute to the economic success and cultural vibrancy of our community.” 

For further information regarding CAPE, please contact Amy Rasmussen, Executive Director at amy@capechicago.org.

 

About Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education

Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE) inspires over 3,500 students from more than 35 city and suburban high-need public schools to be more passionate about and more engaged in their education. CAPE teaching artists partner with teachers who weave together the arts and academics through original, creative lesson plans that go beyond traditional pencil and paper teaching strategies.  These lessons integrate music, dance, drama, digital art, video, and photography into classrooms, and they also expand learning beyond school walls into the CAPE Gallery as well as community sites like art studios, performance halls, and exhibit spaces.  Commissioned, long-term research shows that this unique approach to arts-based education continually improves students’ grades, critical thinking, self-esteem, and confidence.  For more information please visit www.CAPEchicago.org.


About DuPage Foundation

DuPage Foundation, a 501(c)(3) community foundation, is DuPage County’s champion for philanthropy. DuPage Foundation manages more than $145 million in assets and has awarded more than $100 million in grants since its founding in 1986. Individuals and organizations seeking to provide impactful support to address critical issues in DuPage County and beyond can create powerful customizable gift solutions and partnerships through DuPage Foundation. Learn more at dupagefoundation.org. Doing a world of good in our own backyard.®

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