What are the opening hours?

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

Illinois Arts Council, 115 S. LaSalle Street , Ste. 2202, Chicago, IL (2026)

04/17/2026

Free Opportunity - Open to Artists of All Disciplines and Skill Levels:
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS FOR ARTISTS
Artist INC Express Workshop Comes to Quincy, IL
/ /
Artist INC /Arts Quincy: America's First Arts Council / Missouri Arts Council
/ Mid-America Arts Alliance
April 25 and 26, 2026 (see times below)

The Illinois Arts Council, Arts Quincy and the Missouri Arts Council, are co-presenting Artist INC Express in two days of free workshops to help artists of any discipline develop the building blocks for a thriving and enduring arts practice.

Led by a team of experienced, working artists, this in-person, ten-hour, hands-on workshop helps artists address specific needs and challenges that artists face throughout their careers. Through discussions, activities, and hands-on exercises, artist-facilitators and a new network of peer artists will help participating artists set goals for their practice, write about their work, and build a personal brand.

Interested artists may register now:
www.maaa.org/event/artist-inc-express-hannibal-mo-quincy-il-in-person/
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm CDT
Sunday, April 26, 2026, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm CDT

Location: Oakley Lindsay Center at 300 Civics Center Dr. #244, Quincy, IL 62301

Artist INC Express is a slimmed-down, yet still highly active, version of the popular eight-week Artist INC program (www.artistinc.art), which has been completed by more than 2,000 artists since 2009. Artist INC Express explores those same core concepts of how to build a lasting arts practice in a shorter, more flexible format to help reach a broader audience of artists.

The Missouri Arts Council supports the arts that strengthen the cultural, educational, and economic vitality of our state.

Arts Quincy works to sustain Quincy's renowned cultural vitality and enrich our community through the arts. Working to influence academic achievement, drive economic prosperity, and improve the overall health and well-being of ourselves and our neighbors.

04/16/2026

In Celebration with National Poetry Month:
Join / Kuumba Lynx for the soft launch of the Poetry Making Playground: TRAIL Series — a citywide art experience transforming park districts across Chicago into living, breathing spaces of poetry, memory, and imagination.

Saturday, April 18, 2026, 1–3 PM, Lindblom Park, 6054 S. Damen Ave, Chicago

The Poetry Making Playground TRAIL is an immersive multi sensory poetic play experience for all ages. The interactive exhibits are curated by Kuumba Lynx and conceived by a collective of creatives, critical instigators, designers, poets, and those working at the intersection of Hip Hop and liberation. The multi site cross city immersive installations invite us to tap into our radical imagination, engage our ancestral geometry, and discover our sacred syllable inheritance, metaphorical joys, genetic word wisdoms and righteous rhymes.

This is more than an exhibition — it’s a journey. Through installations rooted in story, place, and play, you’ll be invited to move, feel, and create alongside the work.

Expect:
- Food to gather around
-Guided tours through the installations
- Space to connect and speak with the artists behind the vision

To learn more about Kumba Lynx, follow the link: www.kuumbalynx.com

04/16/2026

Employment Opportunity:
Chicago Cultural Alliance /

The CCA is currently seeking a Director of Programs to join their team of cultural advocates and administrative professionals.

The Director of Programs is a senior leader responsible for the strategy, planning, and ex*****on of the Chicago Cultural Alliance’s programs and member-facing initiatives. This role blends strategic leadership with hands-on ex*****on, ensuring programs are mission-aligned, well-managed, and impactful.

The Chicago Cultural Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission to connect, promote, and support centers of cultural heritage for a more inclusive Chicago. We unite close to 50 Chicago-area cultural heritage museums, centers, and historical societies that span 23 neighborhoods and 11 suburbs in the Chicago area and represent over 40 different cultures from around the world.

Please visit their website for the full job description and how to apply: www.chicagoculturalalliance.org

Please contact the Chicago Cultural Alliance with all questions regarding this opportunity.

04/16/2026

Opportunity for Photographers:
The 2026 Flow Photo Contest
Kodak /

Submission deadline: Friday, April 24, 2026

A global photography contest with $50,000 in cash prizes on the line. Celebrating creators and photographers of any and all skill levels and the power photography has to bring people together.

Five categories: Nature, Film, Surf, Energy, Oneness

Good for anyone with a camera, any other type of picture taking device, or photographic memory, in partnership with Kodak.

Follow the link for more details:
www.flow.life/en/photo-contest

Questions? Visit their website and scroll to the bottom, 'Contact Us'

04/16/2026

Opportunity for Artists:
/ Fulton Street Collective
CALL for ARTISTS
Entry Deadline: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Entry Fees: $35 for up to three pieces.

Over by There: All Things Chicago
Curated by Ryan Miller .miller.art

What is it that makes Chicago unique? To some, it’s tall buildings and old memories of mobsters. To others, it’s sports teams and Italian beef sandwiches. This show will celebrate the many things that make the great city of Chicago what it is. There’s too many to list here, so show us what Chicago means to you.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Entry Deadline
Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Acceptance Notification
By Friday, May 1, 2026

Artwork Drop off
Saturday, May 2 from 12am–4pm and Sunday, May 3 from 1–4pm

Opening Reception
Friday, May 8, 2026, 6–10pm

Exhibition
May 8 – June 26, 2026

Artwork Pick up
Saturday, June 27, 2026, 12–4pm

Follow the link for more details and to apply: www.tinyurl.com/mtcycy2t

Questions about this exhibition?
Contact Ryan Miller (ryanmillerartist@gmail.com) for questions about the Prospectus, FSC, eligibility, artwork requirements, drop-off, pick-up, sales, etc.

04/15/2026

In Celebration with National Poetry Month
27th Annual Poetry Fest
Chicago Public Library /
Saturday, April 25, 2026
10:00AM – 4:00PM
Harold Washington Library Center

Presented by the Chicago Public Library Foundation, join them for a day of poetry for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities!

22nd Annual Haiku Fest
10:00 am to 11:30 pm - Auditorium

Poems While You Wait
11:00 am to 2:00 p.m. - Grand Lobby

Chicago Poetry Expo
11:00 am to 2:00 pm - Lower-Level Complex

Writing Poetry in an Era of Overwhelm with Diego Baez
11 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Multipurpose Room A

Gathered Voices: A Poetry Fest Reading
11 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Reception Hall

I Cry When I Laugh, I Laugh When I Cry: A Young Poet’s Workshop on Finding your Voice
11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. - Multipurpose Room B

A poetry workshop led by Eila Kittikamron Mora, Chicago’s Youth Poet Laureate
Blooming Voices: An ASL Poetry Slam
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Video Theater

A Conversation with Illinois Poet Laureate Mark Turcotte
12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Reception Hall

Self-Portrait in Verse with Dr. E.J. Wade from Poets & Patrons
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. - Multipurpose Room B

Erasure Poetry with Musu Bangura and the Chicago Poetry Center
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. - Multipurpose Room A
Join Chicago Poetry Center Poet in Residence Musu Bangura in an exploration of erasure poetry.

Inspiration from the Archives with avery r. young
1:15 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Video Theater
Featuring Chicago’s inaugural Poet Laureate, avery r. young

Keynote with Chicago Poet Laureate Mayda del Valle
2 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. - Auditorium
Chicago Poet Laureate Mayda Alexandra del Valle is a poet, performer, educator, and interdisciplinary artist from Chicago’s South Side

Open Mic with Eros
3 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Reception Hall

Closing Poetry Fest is an open mic is hosted by Eros.
The Harold Washington Library Center is located at 400 S. State Street, Chicago IL

For more details follow the link: http://www.chipublib.bibliocommons.com/.../69c59784f29b90...

Questions? Email: adultservices@chipublib.org

04/15/2026

In Celebration with Poetry Month:
Opportunity for Poets, Rappers and Musicians:
South Side Poets stand up!

On April 25th, 3-6PM, Uxmar Torres/ will be hosting a FREE Open Mic at Back of the Yards Coffee / on 47th and Ashland. Come and bless the mic or just sit back and enjoy the local talent.

Enjoy poetry, music, and support local business; there will be custom journals and signature mocktails available.

Due to the nature and content of poetry events, this event is for AGES 16 AND UP. Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

To sign up early, comment below send a DM. or email: writewithuxmar@gmail.com

Uxmar says, "This is the first event I’m hosting in my old neighborhood and I can’t wait to create this space in the place that helped raise me. Community is everything and this event wouldn’t be possible without the businesses and collaborators that show up every day for the youth and their neighbors. So huge thanks to , and for helping make this possible."

Back of the Yards Coffeehouse is located at 1621 W 47th St, Chicago

04/15/2026

DEADLINE REMINDER!
Opportunity for Artists:
The Illinois Arts Council has partnered with the Capital Development Board’s Art-in-Architecture Program (CDB/AIA) to promote an opportunity for Illinois artists.
Illinois Capital Development Board /

CDB/AIA is now accepting Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) from Illinois professional artists to create permanent original public art for the Illinois Department of Transportation Coalfield Rest Areas in Waggoner, Illinois (Project # 630-397-005). The Committee is seeking exterior wall art to be installed on the large granite walls adjacent to the entrances at each rest area, four works total. Each available space is roughly 16’ wide by 10’ tall, but artists can utilize the space as they see fit. Artists are not limited to a particular medium or style. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

The Coalfield North and Southbound Rest Areas are located thirty miles south of Springfield, Illinois, on I-55 in the heart of central Illinois' historic coal mining region. The project involves the construction of new rest area facilities and site amenities, including reconfiguration of site circulation, expanded parking, landscape elements, and historic cultural interpretative materials.

The Fine Arts Review Committee will review the portfolios of eligible applicants. At least three artists/teams will be selected as semi-finalists and paid a fee of $1,500 each to develop and present a site-specific design proposal. After the presentations, the Committee will select a winning artist/team for the commission. Correspondence will be sent to the semi-finalists

The project budget is $82,000

Link to the RFQ Document:
https://cdb.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/cdb/professionalgrowth/art/documents/rfq/coalfield-rest-area-rfq.pdf

Application materials must be delivered by email to: CDB.ArtinArchitecture@illinois.gov

04/14/2026

DEADLINE REMINDER!
Opportunity for Artists:
International Museum of Surgical Science /

Apply by April 15 for the International Museum of Surgical Science’s Artist Residency.
There is non-refundable $40.00 Application Fee for all applications.

The IMSS Artist Residency Program provides artists with extended and in-depth access to artifacts from its collection, working space within the Museum, and support to present exhibitions that introduce additional perspectives to the institutional depiction of medical history. As artistic practice occupies an increasingly pluralistic field, The International Museum of Surgical Science believes that artists are uniquely equipped to extrapolate on Museum collections in innovative ways. Artists-in-Residence present a capstone exhibition at the end of their residency.

The program provides:

– Access to the Museum’s extensive collections and archives
– Visibility across the Museum’s website and social media channels
– A month-long capstone solo exhibition (or equivalent presentation)

The International Museum of Surgical Science does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.

Follow the link to apply: www.imss.org/apply-to-the-residency/

Questions? Call (312) 642 6502 or email info@imss.org

Featured works:
Slide 1: Jon Chambers | Vanessa Damilola Macaulay | Anke Loh
Slide 2: Kathleen Gallo | Cheri Lee Charlton

04/14/2026

LATE NOTICE!
In celebration with Poetry Month:
Poetry Open Mic hosted by Joliet's Inaugural Poet Laureate, Uxmar Torres
Uxmar Torres /
Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 5-8PM
at the Joliet Public Library, Ottawa Street Branch, 150 N. Ottawa Street, 3rd floor, Joliet, IL
Featuring Poet and Author Alyssa Pacheco

Poets, Rappers and Musicians Welcome! (Original poetry only)

Sign up ASAP by emailing: writewithuxmar@gmail.com
Sign-ups also available at the door.

Due to the nature and content of poetry events, poets and audience members under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

City of Joliet, Illinois, Government
Joliet Public Library

04/14/2026

DEADLINE EXTENDED! April 20th!
Opportunity for AANHPI Artists: Open Call for AANHPI Artists
/ .gallery1701

Location: Gallery 1701 at the Chicago Center for Arts and Technology (CHICAT), 1701 W 13th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Exhibition Period: May 7 – May 31, 2026

Where Our Voices Unite:
A Community Exhibition Celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The Chicago Center for Arts and Technology (CHICAT) invites artists to submit work for Where Our Voices Unite, a community exhibition celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month.
Inspired by this year’s national theme, Power in Unity: Strengthening Communities Together, the exhibition highlights the importance of storytelling, shared experiences, and collective voices. Where Our Voices Unite celebrates the creativity and cultural perspectives of AANHPI artists and the many stories that shape these communities.

Art creates a space where cultures, memories, and experiences come together. Each artwork reflects a unique perspective shaped by heritage, lived experience, and cultural memory. Some works may explore personal histories and traditions, while others offer contemporary reflections on identity, community, and belonging.
By bringing these voices together in one space, the exhibition forms a collective expression that highlights the richness and diversity of AANHPI communities. Through painting, photography, sculpture, textile, and mixed media works, Where Our Voices Unite invites artists and audiences to connect, share stories, and celebrate the power of community.

All submissions must be completed through the Google Form submission link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfvLkNxIKWSsHztXJ2bcspYXsQHCWH6oHQtPUtIhF5N6C344g/viewform?usp=header

IG Users: Visit Chicat Gallery 1701's IG page to access their linktree for more information.

If you have any questions, please reach out to our Gallery Coordinator, Yidi Wang, at Yidi@chicat.org.

04/14/2026

Many congratulations to / Avery R. Young, for his debut opera, 'safronia'; for two performances only, the / Lyric Opera of Chicago presents a world premiere musical work from Chicago’s first-ever poet laureate, and celebrated interdisciplinary artist.

Triumph and tragedy converge in this universal yet personal story of the Great Migration. This Afro-surrealist tale is told through the eyes of the Booker family, who return from the northern U.S. to their Southern hometown after five years of banishment to bury their patriarch.

First conceived following young’s groundbreaking collaboration with Lyric around Twilight: Gods in 2021, safronia marries folklore, poetry, and history, with music inspired by gospel, blues, funk, and soul. This visually immersive, concert-style performance continues Lyric’s commitment to presenting art that reflects our city and our stories

Runs April 17th and 18th, 2026

We are so proud of you, avery! All the best!

Illinois Arts Council

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