Illinois Arts Council

Illinois Arts Council Building a strong, creative, and connected Illinois through the arts.

12/26/2025

Many thanks to Claire Rice, Executive Director, Arts Alliance Illinois, for the well-wishes and we look forward to continued partnership in 2026!


In observance of Christmas, the IAC will be closed Dec 25-26, 2025. The IAC office will reopen on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025.
12/25/2025

In observance of Christmas, the IAC will be closed Dec 25-26, 2025. The IAC office will reopen on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025.

Happy Holidays to All from the Staff at the Illinois Arts Council!Photo: Loren Wright, Art Institute of Chicago
12/24/2025

Happy Holidays to All from the Staff at the Illinois Arts Council!

Photo: Loren Wright, Art Institute of Chicago

DEADLINE REMINDER!Opportunity for Southern Illinois Artists and Organizations:Artspace Southern Illinois / Now Acceptin...
12/23/2025

DEADLINE REMINDER!
Opportunity for Southern Illinois Artists and Organizations:
Artspace Southern Illinois /
Now Accepting Submissions for the Southern Arts Fund Grants
Submissions close December 31, 2025

SAF is a grantmaking initiative of Artspace Southern Illinois, designed to support independent artists and arts-centered organizations across the region.
SAF aims to be transparent about how they operate. They review proposals that meet their guidelines. Before submitting a proposal, they recommend that you carefully read their grant guidelines to determine whether this grant is a good fit.

We welcome proposals from organizations and individual artists living or working in the region. All funded projects must include a strong community outreach component and be free and open to the public.

For Individual Applicants:
- Projects must demonstrate a strong public service or community outreach component
- SAF funds are not available for academic programs or professional development
- Individual applicant budgets do not require a cash match
- Artists must submit samples representing their body of work

For Organizational Applicants:
- Unincorporated organizations should contact SAF at connect@artspacesouthernillinois.org before applying
- Organizations may only apply for SAF grants in support of their arts or cultural activities, and they are not available for general operating support

Ineligible Projects:
Projects already funded by the Illinois Arts Council (IAC), although the applicant may be receiving funding from IAC for other projects

SAF is made possible through the Illinois Arts Council’s Regional Arts Partners program and is administered by Artspace Southern Illinois with generous funding support from the Illinois Arts Council, Funding Good Chaos, the City of Carbondale, and our dedicated donors.

For more details, follow the link:
www.artspacesouthernillinois.org

Opportunity for All Cook County Photographers:Oak Park Area Arts Council / / Oak Park Art League Entries for the "Of t...
12/23/2025

Opportunity for All Cook County Photographers:
Oak Park Area Arts Council /
/ Oak Park Art League

Entries for the "Of the Moment" Photo contest are still open!!
- NO ENTRY FEE
- CASH PRIZES

Open to all Cook County residents that are 18+

The theme, "Of the Moment" is meant to encourage people to pause this holiday season and look at the moments that make this time of the year so special. From snow falling to gift giving to seeing friends and family, this contest is meant to highlight all the good things that are worth taking a moment to appreciate.

Finalists will be displayed at the Oak Park Public Library for two weeks before the final exhibit.

To learn more, visit the Oak Park Art Council or the Oak Park Area Arts Council's Facebook, IG pages

SUBMIT HERE: https://forms.gle/Cc7PXsV4sC49Bzgq8 (IG users, copy & paste this link from your browser)

Opportunity for Performing Artists and Ensembles:US Artists and International® Application Open! / Mid Atlantic Arts Art...
12/23/2025

Opportunity for Performing Artists and Ensembles:
US Artists and International® Application Open!
/ Mid Atlantic Arts

Artists looking to tour internationally:
The USArtists International (USAI) application is now open. USAI supports in-person performances by artists from any state or territory in the U.S. at engagements at international festivals, global presenting arts markets, and other eligible engagements outside of the United States.

The program funds individuals and ensembles across all performing arts practices and disciplines.

The application deadline is Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

Review the guidelines and apply at: www.midatlanticarts.org/opportunity/usartists-international/

Opportunity to apply to be a DCASE 2026 Grant Reviewer:Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events / The ...
12/22/2025

Opportunity to apply to be a DCASE 2026 Grant Reviewer:
Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events /

The mission of the Cultural Grants Program is to play an active role in the development of Chicago’s arts and culture community by funding artists and arts organizations that have the potential to meaningfully contribute to the City’s cultural vitality. We invest in artists because we believe the arts are an essential part of life.

Panelists commit to a review process consisting of a training webinar, reviewing on average 35 applications through an online platform, and participating in a half- to full-day virtual panel discussion. Some grant programs, such as the Neighborhood Access Program, also includes interviewing applicants, and/or more than one round of reviewing submitted proposals.

DCASE seeks panelists who have a significant history of creating and presenting art and culture in Chicago and/or significant experience serving Chicago's communities. They must have expertise in their chosen fields. Past panelists have been managing or artistic directors, arts educators, individual artists, and even librarians. The Cultural Grants team is committed to ensuring that the majority of the panelists self-identify as BIPOC or ALAANA.

There is a stipend provided for panel service.

For more information, follow the links: www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/provdrs/grants.html
www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/dcase_opportunities.html.html

To apply, follow the link:
https://tinyurl.com/4vhwhhbn

Questions? Contact DCASE: dcase@cityofchicago.org

Please note: Online links can be tricky and the IAC does its best to provide the best path for everyone to find what they need to learn more &/or to apply for opportunities. If the links don't work, we appreciate if everyone do their own due diligence to seek the online information that they are looking for using the DCASE search feature.

12/22/2025

The Illinois Arts Council staff would like to wish everyone Happy Holidays & thanks to everyone who celebrated with us in our 60th year!

The Illinois Arts Council would like to thank The Edge Theater for their generous invitation to see 'Molly Shanahan/Mad...
12/20/2025

The Illinois Arts Council would like to thank The Edge Theater for their generous invitation to see 'Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak's "Ex/Body: de/fame, de/position, de/liberate' – what a stunning, moving performance! Bravo!

Performed by Molly Shanahan and longtime ensemble members Kristina Fluty, Jeff Hancock, Diana Stewart, Maria DiMarzio, and Jaicee Partridge.

The performance runs thru December 21, 2025 at 7:30 PM; The Edge Theater is located at 5451 N. Broadway, in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood.

To learn more: www.edgetheater.com

The Illinois Arts Council would like to thank the The Art Institute of Chicago / for hosting us and providing a guided ...
12/19/2025

The Illinois Arts Council would like to thank the The Art Institute of Chicago / for hosting us and providing a guided tour of the Elizabeth Catlett exhibition, led by the amazing Loren Wright, Assistant Director of Interpretation!

Also, many thanks to Nora Gainer, the executive director of Civic Relations and Partnerships in the Marketing and Communications department at the Art Institute Chicago.

Photo 1: Joshua Davis-Ruperto, IAC Executive Director and Loren Wright, AIC Assistant Director of Interpretation

Photo 2: The IAC staff with AIC's Loren Wright beginning the tour

Photo 3: The IAC staff with AIC's Loren Wright at the Elizabeth Catlett exhibition

Photo 4: Elizabeth Catlett's, Head of a Man, about 1941, Limestone

Photo 5: Elizabeth Catlett's, Pensive, 1946, Bronze, Art Institute of Chicago

Photo 6: The IAC staff with AIC's Loren Wright at the Elizabeth Catlett exhibition, Art Institute of Chicago

Photo 7: The beautiful Modern Wing at the Art Institute of Chicago




To learn more about the Elizabeth Catlett exhibition, visit the Art Institute of Chicago website: www.artic.edu

The Muse Illinois Artist Spotlight:Georgette Verdin, FY26 Creative Accelerator Fund Grant RecipientGeorgette Verdin is ...
12/19/2025

The Muse Illinois Artist Spotlight:
Georgette Verdin, FY26 Creative Accelerator Fund Grant Recipient

Georgette Verdin is a q***r, Cuban-American freelance director, the Associate Artistic Director of Northlight Theatre, and a member of Rivendell Theatre Ensemble. From 2015 until 2023, she served as artistic director of Interrobang Theatre Project, an award-winning storefront theater known for gutsy productions that tackled socially relevant and, often, morally ambiguous subject matter. Georgette is passionate about creating visceral theatrical experiences that elicit radical empathy and help marginalized women gain visibility. Her work often explores identity, grief, unprocessed trauma, and the intimate lives of women.

Georgette's recent Creative Accelerator Fund Grant from the Illinois Arts Council provided pivotal support. Expressing her gratitude, she shares, "Unrestricted support is such a gift. The Accelerator Grant let me handle the practical pressures that so often stifle creative thinking, and that freedom opened real space for my artistry to grow." The funds have allowed Georgette to pursue full membership with the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and manage childcare expenses, which have been essential in maintaining her directing career while fulfilling her responsibilities as a mother.

Currently, Georgette is preparing to start rehearsals for Amy Herzog's play, Mary Jane, at Northlight Theatre, running January 22nd through February 22nd. Mary Jane is a resilient single mother caring for her chronically ill child. Despite the mundane and sometimes unthinkable reality of his illness, she finds herself building a community of women from all walks of life. Georgette shared her thoughts on the production, saying, "Amy Herzog's play Mary Jane is a masterclass in quiet heroism. Preparing to direct it has been a profound reminder of theatre’s power to illuminate ordinary lives with extraordinary tenderness."

Learn more: www.northlight.org/series/mary-jane/

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Address

115 S. LaSalle Street , Ste. 2202
Chicago, IL
60603

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Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

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