ILLINOIS ARTS COUNCIL WEB PAGE

AN INVESTMENT IN EXCELLENCE

For over 30 years the Illinois Arts Council (IAC) has been instrumental in supporting Illinois' highly acclaimed and diverse cultural community. Thousands of partnerships throughout our history have helped to maintain the highest standards of excellence in the arts while expanding the accessibility of this artistic wealth to children and adults in every corner of the state. The IAC recognizes and supports not-for-profit arts organizations, community programs, schools, universities and individual creative artists through grant programs, technical assistance, workshops and special initiatives every year.
The following is intended to introduce you to this state agency and to provide a brief description of our programs and services. A professional staff is available to assist you with programs, answer questions or to send additional information, guidelines and applications.

Guidelines and application materials for many of these programs are available on this web site.

We hope you will find the Illinois Arts Council a valuable resource.

Program Grants, Programs to Serve the Community, For the Artist, Other Services

PROGRAM GRANTS

These grants are available to provide general operating support or support for specific projects of high artistic merit to not-for-profit organizations in the areas of Arts-in-Education, Dance, Ethnic and Folk Arts, Literature, Local Arts Agencies, Media Arts, Multi-Disciplinary Arts, Music, Presenters Development, Theater and Visual Arts. Program Grants, with an application deadline in March, represent the Council's largest grant expenditure each fiscal year.

Special Assistance Grant applications are available throughout the year for unique opportunities arising within an organization.

PROGRAMS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY

Community Arts Access (Regranting) - provides the opportunity for local arts agencies to distribute state funds in their own service areas according to their assessment of local needs.

Arts-in-Education Residencies -provide support for Illinois artists residencies in schools and communities statewide. Residencies range from one week to six months duration. Primary and secondary educational institutions, community colleges and local arts and community organizations are eligible to apply, as well as four-year colleges and universities if the residency involves the local K-12 student population.

ArtsResource - provides support for schools/school districts to work with artists as project consultants for new teacher training initiatives, curriculum development or student assessment.

Artstour - provides fee support to organizations that seek to present Illinois touring performing artists for performances, master classes and lecture demonstrations.

Ethnic and Folk Arts Master/Apprenticeships - provide support to a master artist/apprentice pair to preserve the traditional arts of Illinois' many cultures.

Illinois Cultural Connections - provides national and international artists who are already presenting at an institution in Illinois the opportunity to present at another venue in the state through a collaboration between host organizations.

Short Term Artists Residencies (S.T.A.R.) - provide support for interaction between professional Illinois artists and the public through workshops, classes, demonstrations and lectures sponsored by not-for-profit Illinois organizations. Each residency can range from five to thirty hours.

FOR THE ARTIST

Artist Fellowships - awards provide support in all disciplines to Illinois artists of exceptional ability, in recognition of their outstanding work within their field.

Special Assistance - provides support to artists to promote professional growth, gain access to artistic venues or resolve specific artistic problems.

ADDITIONALLY

Art Fair Directory - an annual guide to art and craft fairs taking place in Illinois throughout the calendar year.

Artists Registry - a mailing list service designed as a directory to link Illinois artists with professional opportunities.

Artslink - a site that displays current IAC publications to provide local constituents with quick access to IAC information. Artslinks are located in many communities around the state.

Directory of Illinois Performing Arts Presenters - a resource guide that includes information about Illinois presenters, booking conferences, showcases and national, regional and state resources.

Governor's Awards For The Arts - a bi-annual awards ceremony that honors outstanding contributions to the arts and showcases new artistic work commissioned by the Illinois Arts Council.

Grantswriting Workshops - conducted statewide by Arts Council program staff to provide information and guidance to potential applicants for Organizational Program grants and Artists Fellowships.

"Heartland" - the Illinois Arts Council's quarterly newsletter which provides information about the programs and services of the agency.

Literary Awards - given annually for new work by Illinois writers published in Illinois not-for-profit literary magazines.

Local Arts Agencies Directory - a list of Illinois local arts agencies that provide financial support, services and other programs for arts organizations, artists and the community.

Technical Assistance - available throughout the year to help arts organizations resolve specific artistic, administrative or technical problems.

For information on any of the Illinois Arts Council programs, contact the Program Coordinator or the Public Information Office.