The Index: White Lotus Beef, EXPO Drops, 150K Grant + more

WHAT WE ARE TRACKING: A FREE COMPLIANCE TRAINING FOR CHICAGO EMPLOYERS, HBO’S TRADEMARK DRAMA, AND THE MOUNTING LEGAL PRESSURE FACING GLOBAL NIGHTLIFE. ALSO INSIDE: EXPO’S RETURN, FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES IN NYC, LA, AND CHICAGO, ARTIST RESIDENCIES, SOLO SHOWS, AND MICROGRANTS.

DON’T SLEEP ON THESE DEADLINES. IF SOMETHING HITS, REACH OUT.

LEGAL + CULTURAL SIGNALS

COMPLIANCE

MANDATORY TRAINING FOR CHICAGO EMPLOYERS

All Chicago employers are required to provide annual sexual harassment and bystander intervention training. Non-compliance can result in fines up to $10k plus attorney fees. There is a free virtual training session this summer to help organizations meet this requirement.

FREE TRAINING JUNE 27 | REGISTER HERE

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

DUKE vs. WHITE LOTUS

Duke University takes HBO to task for using its name in the hit show. This is a real-time case study in trademark risk and creative storytelling.

GET THE DETAILS

CENSORSHIP

SALLY MANN PHOTOGRAPHS SEIZED

Police in Texas confiscated works by the renowned photographer, reigniting debates around nudity, artistic freedom, and state control.

NIGHTLIFE POLICY

GLOBAL CRACKDOWN ON DIY CULTURE

From Berlin to Bogotá, independent nightlife is under pressure. This report maps the legal landscape facing underground event producers.

EXPLORE THE ARTICLE

CULTURE

BILL T. JONES × THEASTER GATES

A landmark dialogue on protest, memory, and creative legacy between two of the most influential cultural architects of our time.

READ THE FULL CONVERSATION

DESIGN INSPO

CASA DEL SAPO IN OAXACA, MEXICO

A hybrid of concrete and volcanic rock, this sculptural home by Espacio 18 Arquitectura blurs the line between landscape, memory, and myth while all built around terrain as storytelling.

EXPLORE THE PROJECT

CHICAGO NOW

CAREER SUPPORT

OPEN HOUSE FOR CHICAGO ARTISTS

Chicago Cultural Center is hosting an open house with free headshots, portfolio reviews, and city arts support across all levels. If you’re building a creative practice in Chicago, this is worth your time.

APRIL 17 | 4 PM–8 PM | MORE INFO

ART X BUSINESS

EXPO CHICAGO RETURNS

The city’s leading contemporary art fair returns to Navy Pier for its 11th edition. Featuring 170+ galleries from around the world alongside special programming, panels, and exhibitions across the city.

APRIL 24–27| TICKETS + DETAILS

EXHIBITION

NEWCITY BREAKOUT ARTISTS AT CAC

Timed with EXPO, Chicago Artist Coalition is hosting this year’s Newcity Breakout Artists exhibition to showcase rising artists including Jake Troyli, Hope Wang, and Sofía Fernández Díaz.

OPENING NIGHT APRIL 23 | RESERVE TICKETS

OPEN HOUSE

COLOR CLUB

A one-day, full-building activation with open studios, pop-up exhibitions, performances, and hands-on public programming presented by Color Club, a multidisciplinary arts space in Avondale.

SUNDAY, APRIL 27 | 10 AM–4 PM | RSVP HERE

OPPORTUNITIES + FUNDING

FELLOWSHIP

ENGAGING ARTISTS PROGRAM FROM MORE ART

A socially engaged fellowship for emerging NYC-based artists. Includes production support, public programming, and critical feedback while developing work rooted in justice, place, and public life. Final projects are presented across public sites in New York.

DEADLINE APRIL 16 | MORE INFO

OPPORTUNITY

ARTISTS AT WORK

Los Angeles County will be hiring four artists as salaried employees for 18 months to collaborate with local organizations and create community-driven work addressing social and cultural issues in city.

DEADLINE APRIL 18 | DETAILS HERE

OPEN CALL

UNDERDONK SUMMER SOLO EXHIBITION

NYC solo show for one selected artist or duo. Two-week run in July.

DEADLINE APRIL 18 | APPLY HERE

TECHNO IS LIFE

MICTLAN VA COMPILATION OPEN CALL

Mictlan Productions is seeking tracks from Midwest-based artists for its debut compilation. Genres: techno, hard groove, electro, acid, ghettotech.

DEADLINE APRIL 20 | SUBMIT TO MICTLANCHICAGO@GMAIL.COM

MICROGRANTS

THE BUILDER FUND BY BREAKOUT FOUNDATION

Quarterly microgrants ($250–$1,000) to support gatherings that bring diverse people together through joy, creativity, and connection in Chicago.

DEADLINE APRIL 21 | LEARN MORE

MAJOR GRANT

2025 J.M.K. INNOVATION PRIZE

Multi-year support for early-stage projects advancing environmental justice, cultural equity, and systemic social change. Selected projects receive up to $150k in flexible funding over three years, plus technical assistance and network access.

DEADLINE APRIL 21 | MORE DETAILS

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

“WHAT IMMIGRANTS BRING”

Agitator Gallery invites submissions for a group exhibition centered on heirlooms, displacement artifacts, portraits, and personal narratives. Curated by Ramin Takloo-Bighash. Seeking: visual art, cherished objects, photography, music, and live/video performance.

DEADLINE APRIL 30 | SUBMIT HERE

TECH × STORYTELLING

PROCESSING FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP

$10,000 for creative technologists using data to tell new kinds of stories.

DEADLINE MAY 2 | APPLY HERE

PHOTO OPEN CALL

“HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT”

An international open call for photographers working with subtlety, perception, and unseen narratives. Winners receive $1,000–$5,000 and will be featured on Playbook’s global platform alongside curated editorial coverage.

DEADLINE MAY 9 | MORE INFO + SUBMIT

IF SOMETHING HERE SPARKED AN IDEA, LET’S TALK.

ROLODEX GROUP