As many artists lose their jobs or face creative roadblocks while they shelter in place, the city of Chicago is awarding $10,000 grants to 13 local artists—one of whom is in the Columbia community.

Although the Individual Artists Program grants are awarded by the city annually, this year’s awards held a different tone, and it was the first time the Esteemed Artist Awards were given out.

“Chicago’s voice is heard around the world through the creativity, innovation and vision of incredible artists in every one of our 77 neighborhoods,” said Mayor Lori Lightfoot in an April 3 press release. “From the art they make and culture they create, our artists bring joy to our lives, drive our economy, hold the mirror to our faces, and, of course, they produce works of exquisite beauty. And I am proud of the support these grants will provide these incredible individuals, particularly during this time of crisis and hardship within our artistic community.”

“I’m thrilled that the city got behind this project and supported me as an artist,” said Ruth Leitman, an associate professor in the Cinema and Television Arts Department.

Leitman was honored as one of the 13 Esteemed Artists and was awarded a $10,000 grant for her work as an independent filmmaker. Much of her work is centered around activism after the 2016 election cycle when she started working on a documentary series called “No One Asked You.”

Her project follows Lizz Winstead, co-creator of “The Daily Show,” and Winstead’s women’s rights organization, Abortion Access Front, which travels around the U.S. providing “comfort” and “aid” to abortion clinic workers by performing comedy shows.

Abortion access has been a theme in Leitman’s life, as her great-grandmother died from complications of self-induced abortion, and it planted a seed of activism that would thrive three generations later.

Leitman said some of the grant money is being used to cover the expenses of film shots that took place at a rally at the U.S. Supreme Court building, while a portion is also being delegated toward some Illinois filming locations that have been put on hold due to the coronavirus, or COVID-19, pandemic.

Noting the unprecedented circumstances of the current time, Leitman said it’s important that artists keep pushing forward.

“It’s imperative, as artists, that we keep working through these times,” Leitman said. “It is up to us to respond to them artistically.”

Additionally, Mark Kelly, who worked at Columbia for more than 30 years and is now the commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, said DCASE has collaborated with several leading cultural groups to create an artist relief fund. So far, he said they have raised $4.5 million. The purpose of this fund is to provide artists with economic relief in the midst of the pandemic and is in no way related to the award grants.

In addition to the 13 Esteemed Artist grants, another 158 Individual Artists Program grants were issued, ranging from $850 to $5,000 to aid projects for a variety of artistic disciplines.

Six additional Columbia faculty members were named recipients of the individual program grants, including: Missy Hernandez, an assistant professor in the Cinema and Television Arts Department; Brent Kado, a part-time faculty member in the Cinema and Television Arts Department; Carolina Posse, an assistant professor in the Cinema and Television Arts Department; Adam Brooks, a professor in the Art and Art History Department; Niki Grangruth, a part-time faculty member in the Photography Department; and Fo Wilson, an associate professor in the Art and Art History Department and co-director of the Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office.

Hernandez won an Individual Artists grant for her film “I Don’t Dream In Spanish Anymore.” The film investigates the identity and loss of language over generations of Puerto Rican-Americans living in the Chicagoland area.

“For me, it’s super exciting because I moved back to Chicago to make work specific to growing up in Chicago,” Hernandez said. “Most of the projects I’m most excited about working on are based in Chicago.”

Kelly said he was honored that Leitman and her Columbia colleagues were recognized in a highly competitive application process with over 500 applicants.

“It’s a great testament to the faculty at Columbia,” Kelly said.

Correction 04/22/20 at 9:12 a.m.: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that four Columbia faculty members were recipients of the Individual Artists Program grants. In fact, there are six recipients, including Adam Brooks, a professor in the Art and Art History Department, and Niki Grangruth, a part-time faculty member in the Photography Department. The article has been updated to reflect these changes. The Chronicle regrets this error.