Artisan Entrepreneurs Academy

To be eligible, a business must:

1. Agree to participate in a 6-week virtual Artisan Entrepreneurs Academy consisting of weekly education sessions followed by optional small-group discussions.
2. Be a for-profit business located and registered in Illinois or Indiana.
3. Contribute to the creative economy. See “What types of businesses are eligible for this program?” below.
4. Have an existing product or service currently on the market.
5. Be operational for at least 12 months and have filed a 2024 or 2023 business tax return.
6. Show annual revenue between $10,000 and $500,000 on the tax return submitted.
7. Have a business bank account.

Businesses will be evaluated based on criteria which include:

1. Your vision for the business over the next 2 years.
2. How participation in this program will enhance your business growth.

We aspire to create a balanced cohort representing a range of creative businesses alongside which you can learn from and grow.

The Artisan Entrepreneurs Academy application will open March 25, 2025 at 10:00 am and close on April 25, 2025 at 5:00 pm Central Time. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

We are looking for entrepreneurs with an existing creative business who are eager for sustainability and growth. See “What are the selection criteria for the Artisan Entrepreneurs Academy?” for full eligibility criteria.

Eligible business categories include:

• Arts & Crafts – businesses designing and/or producing works of visual arts
  • Art dealers
  • Ceramics & pottery
  • Drawing
  • Fiber or textile arts
  • Graphic design & digital art
  • Illustration
  • Metalworking & welding
  • Painting
  • Papercraft
  • Sculpture
  • Tattoo artists
  • Visual art
  • Woodwork
• Cosmetics & Personal Care – businesses producing cosmetics or personal care items or providing personal care services
  • Barber shops
  • Beauty, hair, and/or nail salons
  • Makeup production/manufacturing
  • Nail design
  • Professional makeup art
• Fashion & Accessories – businesses designing and/or producing clothes, shoes, jewelry, and accessories
  • Clothing and/or shoes design and/or production
  • Fashion styling
  • Jewelry design and production
  • Wearable accessories design and/or production
• Fragrance & Candle-Making – businesses producing fragrances, perfumes, candles, or similar items
  • Candle manufacturing
  • Fragrances
• Home Decor – businesses designing and/or producing home decor goods or providing interior design services
  • Furniture design & production
  • Glassware & glass blowing
  • Handmade home decor
  • Interior design services
• Music, Video & Performing Arts – businesses engaged in creating or producing music, broadcasting, video or motion picture arts, or other creative activities performed in front of an audience
  • Animation
  • Broadcasting
  • Dance companies
  • Production of musical instruments
  • Independent performers
  • Motion picture & video production
  • Musical groups, artists, & producers
  • Songwriting
  • Theater companies
• Photography – businesses engaged in the art or practice of taking and processing photographs
• Plant & Foliage Art or Retail – businesses selling plants and/or businesses designing or producing artistic works using real or artificial flowers
  • Florists & flower artists
  • Landscape design
  • Plant retailers
• Toy & Hobby Goods – businesses designing and/or producing toys and other hobby goods
  • Doll, toy, and game manufacturing
  • Gift, novelty, and souvenir stores

Not sure if your business fits into one of these categories? Email us a description of your business and products or services at help@a4cb.org. Include the NAICS (industry) code from your tax return for a more accurate answer.

At A4CB, we believe that entrepreneurs who build their businesses on a solid foundation will be more likely to succeed over the long term. The Artisan Entrepreneurs Academy webinars will help you prepare that foundation so that grant funds can accelerate your next steps.

• Participants must commit to attending all six interactive webinars held July 15 – August 21 to experience the full benefits of the program and remain eligible for the grant. Webinars will last approximately one hour per week. See “What are the dates of the Artisan Entrepreneurs Academy?” below.
• Each webinar will be followed by an optional, but highly recommended, small group discussion about that week’s topic. This is an opportunity to connect with other entrepreneurs and learn from your peers. Discussions will last approximately one hour per week.

Your participation is required in all six webinars. Follow-up discussion sessions are optional, but participation is encouraged. Attendance will be tracked at all sessions to assess the program.

All webinars and discussion sessions are scheduled from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Central Time. They will be held virtually on Zoom.

• Week 1: Tuesday, July 15 (Webinar) and Thursday, July 17 (Discussion)
• Week 2: Tuesday, July 22 (Webinar) and Thursday, July 24 (Discussion)
• Week 3: Tuesday, July 29 (Webinar) and Thursday, July 31 (Discussion)
• Week 4: Tuesday, August 5 (Webinar) and Thursday, August 7 (Discussion)
• Week 5: Tuesday, August 12 (Webinar) and Thursday, August 14 (Discussion)
• Week 6: Tuesday, August 19 (Webinar) and Thursday, August 21 (Discussion)

A make-up option will be provided, upon request, if a participant needs to miss a scheduled webinar.

Participants will have an opportunity to request specific topics during the application process. Some examples may include building a business plan, understanding profit margin, and utilizing social media as part of your growth strategy.

• All pages of your business’s most recent federal tax return (2024 or 2023)
  • Valid forms: Form 1040 with Schedule C, Form 1065, Form 1120, or Form 990
  • Include all pages of the tax return and a signed e-file authorization from your accountant or confirmation from the IRS that your return was accepted.
• Business bank statement from 2025
• Business owner’s valid form of photo identification
  • Valid ID options: Driver’s license, State ID, Chicago CityKey, passport, permanent resident card, or consular ID.
• Other documents may be requested, if needed, to verify the details provided on any application.

No, each entrepreneur may only apply once.

No, this program is only available to for-profit businesses.

Yes, this grant may be subject to tax reporting. Allies for Community Business will issue a 1099 tax form to each participating business. We strongly recommend that you talk to a tax professional to understand the impacts for your business.

Allies for Community Business will review all applications to ensure they meet the program eligibility criteria. Businesses will be selected from the eligible applications based on the narrative questions listed above and balanced across types of creative businesses to create a well-rounded cohort. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

All applicants will receive an email decision prior to the start of the webinar sessions.

Contact client support at granthelp@a4cb.org or (312)-275-3000.