ChiArts Foundation Transition Hub
Updates and resources regarding the ChiArts Foundation sunset and the School’s transition to a district-managed future.
For more than 21 years, a community of donors, artists, educators, civic leaders, families, and supporters came together to build and sustain The Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts), creating a nationally recognized model for accessible, high-quality arts education in Chicago.
As ChiArts transitions to a district-managed Fine and Performing Arts high school within Chicago Public Schools (CPS) effective July 1, 2026, the ChiArts Foundation will sunset operations on June 30, 2026, marking the conclusion of its role as the school’s philanthropic partner.
ChiArts’ transition reflects the strength and success of the model philanthropy helped build. For more than two decades, private investment supported ChiArts’ pre-professional arts conservatories, proving that rigorous arts training can thrive when it is made accessible to young people across Chicago regardless of prior access or financial means.
More than $40 million was raised over the years to support donor-funded conservatory programming, productions, teaching artists, master classes, performances, and student opportunities. Thousands of scholar-artists have benefited from a community that believed Chicago deserved a public arts high school grounded in both artistic access and equity.
As part of the transition to district management, Chicago Public Schools intends to leverage its existing partnership with Children First Fund, the Chicago Public Schools Foundation, as its philanthropic partner moving forward.
While the ChiArts Foundation’s formal role is concluding, our pride in ChiArts and commitment to championing its scholar-artists, alumni, and future success remains strong. Between now and June 30, the Foundation remains focused on supporting the current conservatory experience and helping ensure a strong and thoughtful close to this chapter of ChiArts’ history.
Below you can read the full press release, community emails, review frequently asked questions, and learn more about the transition.
As ChiArts transitions to a district-managed Fine and Performing Arts high school within Chicago Public Schools (CPS) effective July 1, 2026, the ChiArts Foundation will sunset operations on June 30, 2026.
For more than two decades, the Foundation and its philanthropic community helped build and sustain ChiArts’ nationally recognized pre-professional arts conservatory model. This transition marks the conclusion of the Foundation’s role as it was originally designed, while honoring the extraordinary impact philanthropy made possible.
No. ChiArts is not closing. Beginning July 1, 2026, ChiArts will operate as a district-managed Fine and Performing Arts high school within Chicago Public Schools.
Chicago Public Schools has shared its intention to continue ChiArts’ mission of providing arts-focused education opportunities for young creatives across Chicago. As part of the transition to district management, CPS and incoming school leadership are continuing to finalize the future framework for arts programming.
The ChiArts Foundation was created to support a specific pre-professional arts conservatory model through dedicated, community-based philanthropy. As ChiArts transitions into a district-managed structure within CPS and the philanthropic framework evolves, the Foundation’s original role is concluding.
The current school year for the arts conservatories is not yet fully funded, and philanthropy has historically supported critical conservatory experiences including teaching artists, productions, master classes, arts supplies, and scholar-artist conservatory opportunities.
Between now and June 30, 2026, the Foundation remains committed to achieving its fundraising goals and helping ensure a strong and thoughtful close to this chapter of ChiArts’ history.
As part of the transition to district management, Chicago Public Schools intends to leverage its existing partnership with Children First Fund, the Chicago Public Schools Foundation, for future philanthropic efforts related to ChiArts.
Children First Fund is an independent 501(c)(3) organization that partners with CPS to support schools and district initiatives through philanthropy. Future fundraising structures and priorities related to ChiArts will be determined by CPS and Children First Fund.
The Foundation was specifically designed to support the original conservatory structure through independent, community-based philanthropy.
As ChiArts transitions into a district-managed CPS framework with a different arts programming and philanthropic structure, the Board determined this was the appropriate conclusion to the Foundation’s formal role.
Donor Questions & General Inquiries (through June 30, 2026):
[email protected]
Media Inquiries (through June 30, 2026):
[email protected]
Post–June 30, 2026 Inquiries:
Following the ChiArts Foundation’s sunset on June 30, 2026, a Board-led committee will oversee the organization’s closeout process and remaining administrative matters. A new contact email for the committee will be shared with the community at a later date.
Support the Final Phase of our Work
Our focus through June 30, 2026 remains on ChiArts’ scholar-artists. The Foundation is currently raising the final critical funds needed to meet our fundraising goal to ChiArts’ five arts conservatories for the current school year.
Your support during this final phase ensures that our scholar-artists complete this year with the full depth of arts conservatory programming, that philanthropy has always made possible.
