EAR TAXI FESTIVAL AWARDED TOURISM PRIVATE SECTOR GRANT
New Music Chicago receives grant as part of $600,000 statewide investment to support local festivals and events, drive tourism across Illinois
Picosa Ensemble performs at the Ear Taxi Festival 2025 Launch Party in October 2024.
Chicago, IL (July 11, 2025) – The 2025 Ear Taxi Festival (ETF ’25) has been awarded a grant of over $49,000 from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) Tourism Private Sector Grant Program, part of a $600,000 statewide investment supporting 13 festivals and events across Illinois. The program aims to attract visitors and boost local economies by supporting existing and new cultural events.
“This financial support from the DCEO is critical in presenting the Ear Taxi Festival,” said Executive Director Tim Corpus. “At a time when foundation and individual arts funding is shrinking, this major investment ensures ETF remains a Midwest landmark for contemporary music.”
Funds will directly support the presentation of concerts by living composers, including the Composer Showcase—an ambitious commissioning initiative featuring 22 Illinois-based composers, the largest commissioning effort of its kind in state history.
"As Illinois' world-class tourism industry continues to grow, the State of Illinois maintains its efforts to welcome more visitors to the state through numerous grant funding opportunities," said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. "Illinois communities will greatly benefit from these investments as millions of visitors spend billions of dollars annually across the state – bolstering local economies and supporting jobs."
Ear Taxi Festival
The Ear Taxi Festival 2025 (ETF '25), a program of New Music Chicago, is a landmark event showcasing contemporary concert music across Chicagoland from October 3 to 31, 2025. This third iteration builds on the success of previous festivals in 2016 and 2021, which featured over 54 and 100 world premieres respectively, drawing thousands of attendees and garnering national acclaim.
ETF '25 will highlight over 500 artists in over 50 hours of programming, including large-scale Anchor Performances, Composer Showcases, “Taxi” chamber ensemble performances, and Accent Concerts. The festival is strategically located at venues throughout Chicagoland including the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Reva & David Logan Center for the Arts, and the Kehrein Center for the Arts, Constellation, and many others.
The Tourism Private Sector Grant Program will support new, expanded, or enhanced events and festivals with costs such as advertising and marketing, transportation, building or equipment rental, receptions and banquets, registration, and entertainment. Combined with Illinois' largest-ever tourism campaign, “Middle of Everything,” Illinois is prioritizing investing in its thriving tourism industry while driving millions of visitors to choose Illinois for their next trip.
Tickets to the 2025 Ear Taxi Festival are planned to go on sale in August 2025. Stay tuned for additional information and events at https://www.eartaxifestival.com.