Illinois Arts Council Announces New Changes to Enhance Equity, Increase Statewide Impact
Posted February 7, 2024
Discipline(s): Arts & Humanities
The Illinois Arts Council (IAC) has announced new changes to the grant and funding process to enhance equal access to public arts funding throughout the state. Changes include:
- The IAC divided the state into six distinct regions allowing Program Directors to oversee entire communities as opposed to artistic disciplines. This establishes a more direct relationship with rural and under-resourced communities and strengthens re-granting partnerships. The newly created six regions will allow for more equitable funding across Illinois’ communities.
- In FY2025, the General Operating Support (GOS) grant, which serves organizations and communities, will become a 3-year grant cycle. This multi-year simplified application and final report will only include information necessary to determine feasibility and organizational health. The new guidelines and application will be announced shortly.
- Cash match will no longer be required for applicants to ease the burden on small and emerging organizations.
- The IAC funding formula will be updated ensuring an equitable regional distribution of funds, as well as priority given to historically under-resourced communities.
- An updated Youth Employment in the Arts grant will fund organizations beyond the current summer internship for individuals from ages 14-22. The application for this grant will be integrated into the FY25 GOS application.
- In FY2025, the IAC will also launch a new grant for individual artists called the Creative Accelerator Fund.
The IAC will hold a series of webinars outlining all the upcoming improvements. The links are listed below and registration is not required to attend.
