CDAF Board
P.K. VanderBeke (CD ‘96)
President/Treasurer
Dominic Johnson (CD ‘12)
Vice President/Secretary
Tom Bachtell (CD ‘96)
Walker Johnson (CD ‘84)
Caitlin Edwards (CD ‘24)
Operating as a charitable adjunct to The Cliff Dwellers private club, the mission of the The Cliff Dwellers Arts Foundation (CDAF) is to support the arts. This is accomplished through its providing funds in the form of grants to arts-oriented organizations and individuals, presenting events at the club such as concerts, performances, and films, and sponsoring an annual music competition.
Grant recipients are chosen by the full Board from qualified applications received by a set deadline each spring and fall; applications are available on-line and members are encouraged to invite their favorite groups to apply.
Funds are provided through voluntary contributions from club members and are distributed biannually. Specific information regarding past grants and distributions is available to club members.
Checks may be made out to:
THE CLIFF DWELLERS ARTS FOUNDATION
Mail to:
Cliff Dwellers Arts Foundation
200 S. Michigan Avenue, 22 floor
Chicago IL 60604-2487
Contributions are accepted at any time during the year. All such contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by current revenue laws.
In keeping with the founding goals of The Cliff Dwellers to celebrate and support the arts in Chicago, The Cliff Dwellers Arts Foundation was created and is funded solely through the generosity and support of our members and accomplishes those goals in many very tangible ways.
The foundation has awarded grants to a wide-ranging group of recipients including:
Resonant Bodies Festival
For the inaugural Chicago edition of their acclaimed new-vocal-music festival
High Concept Laboratories
In support of their Sound As Sight field recording project for the blind developed by Chicago artist Andy Slater
Homeroom Chicago
For a contemporary classical and jazz/experimental concert series entitled “Physics for Listeners”
Chicago Artist Guide
For the creation of an online hiring network to build equity & diversity in the Chicago theatre community
The Cabinet of Curiosity Events
In support of “Rites of Passage/Bowls of Fire” an outdoor fire-based show being developed to perform throughout Chicago
Links Hall
For “Eclipsing”, a five-day performance festival curated by Amina Ross including screenings of videos by performance artists and community workshop series focused on healing practices
Crossing Borders Music
For their ’23 – ’24 season featuring artistic programs celebrating marginalized cultural identities
