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

Illinois Arts Council

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Illinois Arts Council

Building a strong, creative, and connected Illinois through the arts.
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08/31/2026

Opportunity for Fall 2026 Youth Employment:
Yollocalli Arts Reach /
After School Matters /

After School Matters APPLICATION ARE NOW OFFICIALLY OPEN FOR FALL!
ALONGSIDE YOLLO SPECIFIC PROGRAMS!

If you’re a crafty youth artist or wanting to learn something new this fall while getting paid, this is for you!!!

Join our summer After School Matters programs!
• Youth artist ages 14-21
• September 28 - December 11, 2026
• Recieve a stipend for your participation!

SCAN THE QR CODE ON THE FLYER FOR MORE INFO AND START YOUR APPLICATION NOW! Or follow this link: www.yollocalli.org/classes

Spots fills up quick! So don’t miss out!

Questions? Email: [email protected]

08/31/2026

Opportunity for Writers - poetry, fiction & creative nonfiction:
/ Carnegie Mellon University Press
Deadline: Tuesday, Sep 15, 2026, 11:00 PM

Carnegie Mellon University Press is open for submissions!
This time around, they’re looking for poetry, fiction, and — for the first time — creative nonfiction.

CMU Press was founded in 1972 by Gerald Constanzo as a small literary press focusing on poetry; since then, it's grown a lot. Today, we continue our legacy by publishing award-winning literary works while expanding into new areas like including academic imprints, journals, and open educational resources, and even tabletop game publishing initiatives.

Visit IG Linktree for the applications and guidelines OR follow this link: www.cmu.edu/university-press

Questions? Email: [email protected].

08/31/2026

Opportunity for Employment:
/ Northlight Theatre

Join the Northlight team!
Education and Community Programs Coordinator
Working under the supervision of the Education & Community Programs Manager, The Education & Community Programs Coordinator supports Northlight’s Education & Community Engagement programs through a blend of leadership, relationship-building, and administrative coordination. This role centers on managing program portfolios, leading youth initiatives, and supporting strategic growth as guided by department and organization leadership.

Qualifications: Passion for arts education and community engagement, strong communication and organizational skills, & ability to manage multiple projects and collaborate across teams. Experience working as a teaching artist with both youth and adults. Must have experience developing curriculum for arts education.

Follow the link for more information and to apply:
www.northlight.org/opportunities/

How to Apply: Accepting applications immediately. Please send resumes via email to [email protected]. No phone calls, please.

If you have any questions regarding this position, do NOT ask them here. Contact the Northlight Theatre Human Resources email listed above.

08/31/2026

Opportunity for Professional Development:
Cultural Access Collaborative /

On September 10th from 6:00 - 7:30pm, join Cultural Access Collaborative at the Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance for their 2026 LEAD Share Out Social!
Come learn what Illinois culture makers learned at this year's Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disabilities. Then grab a snack and connect with other members of the Collab community!

Register today by visiting bit.ly/lead26share OR www.culturalaccesscollaborative.org/collab-events/lead-2026-share-out-social/

The Harris Theater for Music and Dance is located at 205 E. Randolph
Chicago, IL

Questions? Please email: [email protected]

08/31/2026

Opportunity for Artists:
CALL FOR ART
.online
Submission deadline: 11:55PM CST on Sunday, September 20, 2026.

New Call for Art at Chicago Fine Art Salon NEW Gallery is seeking submissions inspired by the people, places, and moments that make Chicago unmistakably itself. They’re looking for work rooted in the city - its architecture, neighborhoods, food, music, history, and the figures who shaped it.

Show your love for this diverse, one-of-a-kind city we call home.

Submission details:
- Non-member submission fee: $29 per work
- Members receive one free submission per call. Become a member here.
- Image files must be high resolution (300dpi) and names formatted as:
LastName_Title
- Open to all mediums
- Selected works must be ready to hang

OPENING RECEPTION: FRIDAY 10/02/2026
AT CHICAGO FINE ART SALON, 2623 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL

Follow the link to apply: www.newgallery.online/
Questions? Email: [email protected]

08/28/2026

National Rural Education Association is excited to announce that Jennifer Burdette from Spoon River Valley CUSD #4 in London Mills, Illinois, is the 2026 National Rural Teacher of the Year!

Jennifer will be presented with the Illinois award this fall at her school district.
Additionally, she will be presented with the award at the 2026 National Forum to Advance Rural Education (NFARE) in San Antonio, Texas. She will also give a keynote address about her education story, representing her school and her state in front of hundreds of rural advocates.

Learn more in the official press release: https://nrea.net/jennifer-burdette-toy-2026/

Many congratulations to Jennifer for this remarkable achievement! Bravo!

08/28/2026

Our very own IAC Board Member, Pemon Rami, renowned filmmaker, producer and author, was interviewed by playwright, Richard Wesley, exploring the Principle of Sankofa as Praxis and discuss the legacy of Black Theatre from the Black Arts Movement of the 1970s to today.

Congratulations Pemon!
/ Court Theatre

Available on Spotify and Apple podcasts. Tune in and follow along:
https://tinyurl.com/2zddzyar

08/28/2026

You're invited to the Arts Alliance Illinois /
Illinois Creative Future Roadshow ... EFFINGHAM!
Wednesday, September 9th, 4pm-6pm
Effingham Public Library
/ Effingham Public Library
200 N. Third Street, Effingham, IL
RSVP: tinyurl.com/AAISouth3

IAC Program Director, John Gawlik, will be in attendance!

Arts Alliance Illinois and partners across the state are hitting the road for the Illinois Creative Future Roadshow, with more than 20 stops bringing communities together to help shape an action plan for investing in Illinois’ creative future.
These interactive working sessions will use new insights from the Creative Economy of Chicago and Illinois: Impact and Assets reports to spark conversation, identify priorities, and build ideas for strengthening Illinois’ creative economy.
Artists, creative workers, nonprofit leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, elected officials, and community members are invited to bring their experiences and perspectives to the conversation.

Select Roadshow stops will be hosted in partnership with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), Creative Measures, Illinois Arts Council, Illinois Humanities, and local organizations across Illinois.

08/28/2026

You're invited to the Arts Alliance Illinois /
Illinois Creative Future Roadshow ... CARBONDALE!
Wednesday, September 9th, 10am-12pm
ArtSpace Southern Illinois / Artspace Southern Illinois
304 W. Walnut Street, Carbondale, IL
RSVP: tinyurl.com/AAISouth2

IAC Program Director, John Gawlik, will be in attendance!

Arts Alliance Illinois and partners across the state are hitting the road for the Illinois Creative Future Roadshow, with more than 20 stops bringing communities together to help shape an action plan for investing in Illinois’ creative future.
These interactive working sessions will use new insights from the Creative Economy of Chicago and Illinois: Impact and Assets reports to spark conversation, identify priorities, and build ideas for strengthening Illinois’ creative economy.
Artists, creative workers, nonprofit leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, elected officials, and community members are invited to bring their experiences and perspectives to the conversation.

Select Roadshow stops will be hosted in partnership with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), Creative Measures, Illinois Arts Council, Illinois Humanities, and local organizations across Illinois.

08/28/2026

IL250 Public Art Grant Unveiling
Kailey Rorer Bench in Sycamore, Illinois
/ DeKalb County History Center

The DeKalb County History Center is set to unveil a new public art bench on its campus, marking another contribution to the state’s Illinois 250 celebrations. This project highlights the county's rich agricultural heritage.

Local artist Kailey Rorer has been commissioned to transform the bench into an artistic piece titled “Sunup 'til Sundown,” reflecting the theme of "what rural agriculture means" in DeKalb County. Rorer, a Sycamore-based muralist, is renowned for her ability to infuse local landscapes and agricultural traditions into her work, offering visitors a vibrant visual experience.

The innovative bench, made from 97% recycled materials including wind turbine blades, composite lumber, and aluminum, reflects a commitment to sustainability. Its unique arch-style design not only provides seating but also creates a sheltered space for reflection. This installation, located within one of the historic gardens on the History Center's campus, aligns with the America250 theme, Power of Place, by celebrating the county’s agricultural identity.

The unveiling event is scheduled for today, Friday, August 28, at 12:00 p.m. at the DeKalb County History Center, 1730 N. Main Street, Sycamore. This free public gathering will follow the final Garden Story Time program of the season, beginning at 11:30 a.m., in collaboration with the Sycamore Public Library.

Attendees can look forward to brief remarks, refreshments, and craft activities. This event promises to be a memorable occasion, bringing together community members to celebrate a project that reflects the spirit and creativity of the region.

This initiative, part of the broader Illinois America 250 Commission effort, aims to celebrate Illinois' historical contributions and values. Visit the IAC's dedicated Illinois America 250 webpage for details on this and all other public art grant projects taking place throughout the year.

LEARN MORE: https://arts.illinois.gov/illinois-america-250.html

Photo courtesy of the DeKalb County History Center

Address

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

Opening Hours

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

Telephone

+13128146750

Website

https://arts.illinois.gov/

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