The Illinois Arts Council is a government agency of the state of Illinois formed to encourage development of the arts throughout Illinois. Founded in 1965 by the Illinois General Assembly, the Illinois Arts Council provides financial and technical assistance to artists, arts organizations, and community organizations with arts programming.
The Illinois Arts Council is governed by up to 21 members appointed by the Governor of Illinois who serve four-year terms. They meet three times a year. Assisted by volunteer advisory panels, they distribute grants and oversee arts programs and services.
Many arts organizations in Illinois rely on funding from the IAC each year. Governor Rod Blagojevich drastically cut the budget in 2007 in what many saw as a political move against his chief rival, Michael Madigan, whose wife is the head of the IAC.
Artist Fellowships
Arts-in-Education Residency
Arts-in-Education ArtsResource Grants for Schools and School Districts
Arts-in-Literacy Grants
Arts Service Organization Grants
Artstour Grants
Community Arts Access (Regranting)
CORE Music Foundation
Ethnic and Folk Arts Master/Apprenticeships
Governor's International Arts Exchange (Illinois)|Governor's International Arts Exchange
Literary Awards
Partners in Excellence
Program Grants
Project QuickStart for Schools and School Districts
Short Term Artists Residency
Special Assistance Grants
Youth Employment in the Arts
Application Workshops
Artists' Registry, a mailing list to link Illinois artists with professional opportunities
Artslinks, sites through Illinois with coordinators and Illinois Arts Council publications
Awareness Meetings
Directory of Illinois Performing Arts Presenters
Directory of Local Arts Agencies
Governor's Awards for the Arts (Illinois)|Governor's Awards for the Arts
HeARTland, a resources publication
Illinois Art Fair Directory, an annual publication
Technical Assistance
In 2006, Illinois Arts Council members included:
Shirley R. Madigan, Chairman
Andy Van Meter, Secretary
Rhoda A. Pierce, Vice Chairman