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Issue 106 / August 14, 2026
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In this issue
• IL250 Public Art Grant Unveiling
• The IAC at the Illinois State Fair
• Visions of Justice - Experiences of the System
• Evanston Winter EXPO 2026
• National Hellenic Museum - Open Call
• Featured Illinois Arts Organization
• Additional Opportunities
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IL250 Public Art Grant Unveiling
John Verl McNamara Sculptures in Rockford, Illinois
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Sculptures Steve and Rachel by artist John Verl McNamara. Photo courtesy of GoRockford!
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In the heart of Rockford, Illinois, three new sculptures are being announced today and tomorrow, adding a fresh touch to the city's cultural scene as part of this year's Illinois 250 celebrations. Crafted by local artist John Verl McNamara, these sculptures-named Steve, Rachel, and Karen-capture the essence of community, celebration, and human connection. They honor the everyday people whose collective strength has shaped our nation and coincide with the opening of the newly renovated Davis Park.
John Verl McNamara, who hails from Rockford and is a proud member of the Ironworkers Union, has a knack for merging metal precision with the expressive nature of public art. His work reflects the values and stories of the local community, aiming to bring people together through shared experiences and creativity. McNamara credits his artistic vision to growing up in a creative family deeply embedded in Rockford's culture.
The official announcement of these installations will take place during the RockYard 2026 summer festival, a two-day event celebrating Rockford's America 250 commemoration. Held on August 14-15 at Davis Park, the festival will feature live music, interactive art activities, and a variety of family-friendly events, nurturing a sense of community and celebration.
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.
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Visions of Justice: Experiences of the System
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Calling all artists with firsthand experience of the Cook County adult criminal legal system. In partnership with Contextos, Cook County has launched the "Visions of Justice: Experiences of the System" art contest. This initiative aims to document justice reform efforts and explore real-life experiences through the eyes of those directly impacted. Whether you've faced incarceration, grappled with money bonds, or have had other encounters with the system, your unique perspective is invaluable. Accepted mediums include paintings, drawings, mixed media art, sculptures, and photography.
Submit your artwork by August 21, 2026, for a chance to be featured in a public showcase on September 30, 2026. Finalists will be announced on September 1, 2026, and are eligible for a $1,000 award. The top 10 artworks will be permanently exhibited as part of the Cook County Safety and Justice Archive, commemorating local justice reform efforts. Don't miss this opportunity to share your story and contribute to a meaningful dialogue on justice.
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Illinois artists are invited to apply for the Evanston Art Center's Winter Arts & Crafts Expo, a premier event for showcasing original, handmade arts and crafts. The Expo will take place from November 21 to December 20, 2026, at the Evanston Art Center, located at 1717 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201. This event, featuring over 150 artisans, attracts visitors from across the Midwest and includes a wide range of artistic categories such as jewelry, ceramics, fiber, metal, glass, painting, photography, and mixed media.
Eligible applicants must be artists who create original works within the specified categories. Interested artists can apply via the Evanston Art Center's Instagram link in bio or through their website, where more details are provided. The deadline for applications is October 8, 2026. For further inquiries, artists can email the Evanston Art Center at [email protected]. To learn more about the Expo and application procedures, visit the Evanston Art Center's website or view their FAQs page.
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The National Hellenic Museum's Open Call for The Odyssey: Reimagined
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Image: Courtesy of The National Hellenic Museum
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CNL Projects is excited to share an exhibition opportunity to showcase your work through The National Hellenic Museum's open call for The Odyssey: Reimagined.
The National Hellenic Museum invites artists from across the United States whose work explores homecoming identity, resilience, migration, and/or transformation to reinterpret Homer's epic, The Odyssey, through contemporary art. Both new and existing works are welcome, and selected artists will receive a stipend to support their participation.
The application deadline is August 16
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Featured Illinois Arts Organization
McLean County Museum of History - FY26 IAC General Operating Support Recipient
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Pictured - Julie Emig, Executive Director, McLean County Museum of History
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The McLean County Museum of History is an independent nonprofit and nationally accredited museum in the heart of Downtown Bloomington, which actively harnesses the power of the arts to present interdisciplinary programming and exhibits highlighting the diverse stories of the people of Illinois' largest county. Approximately 40,000 people visit the museum and its Cruisin' with 66 Visitors Center & Gift Shop each year. In the last calendar year alone, the museum presented 72 in-person events and 225 outreach programs-almost all free to participants.
"Support from the IAC's Operating Grant empowers us to bring innovative, hands-on arts programming to our community, whether it's one of our 'Day Off, Art On' institute day programs for students in grades 5-8 or one of the many concerts we host each year," says Executive Director Julie Emig.
The museum's commitment to integrating art into public life was supported by a 2024 IAC Catalyst Grant, which helped launch Sculpture on the Square. This initiative features rotating public art on the grounds of the museum's historic 1903 courthouse building. The current installation - a llama created by local farmer-turned-artist Robert Cumpston from recycled farm implements - connects art to agriculture, creativity to place, and contemporary expression to the community's history.
The same experience can be found inside the museum, where its newest exhibition, More Than a Game: A Community History of Baseball & Softball presented by Beer Nuts Brand Snacks & The Shirk Family, features local stories of the game to explore social upheaval and resilience throughout American history. "That is the museum's greatest community impact," says Emig. "It doesn't simply preserve the past; it uses the past as a starting point for creativity, conversation, learning, and connection. And through the support of the Illinois Arts Council, more people across McLean County can experience what happens when history and the arts come together."
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Other Opportunities You May Have Missed
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The Muse, the Illinois Arts Council newsletter, is published weekly. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the IAC is strictly prohibited. The Muse is distributed free of charge.
Do you have an arts story you think Illinois needs to hear about? We want to hear from you! Submissions should focus on artist/organizational opportunities or on the impact of the arts on communities, the people creating art, or those experiencing art. Share your story with our Director of Communications at [email protected]. The IAC reserves the right to edit or reject any material.
This week's Muse banner features the University of Illinois Springfield Performing Arts Center's production of Almost, Maine. Photo credit: Chris Withers
arts.illinois.gov
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