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Issue 109 / August 28, 2026
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In this issue
• IL250 Public Art Grant Unveiling
• Miles of Smiles: IAC Lights Up the Illinois State Fair
• IAC FY27 Creative Accelerator Fund Guidelines Now Available
• 2026-2027 Poetry Out Loud Season Announced
• FY27 IAC Grant Application Notifications
• Highland Park Call for Artists
• Illinois Artist Spotlight
• Additional Opportunities
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IL250 Public Art Grant Unveiling
Kailey Rorer Bench in Sycamore, Illinois
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Photo courtesy of DeKalb County History Center,
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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.
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Miles of Smiles: IAC Lights Up the Illinois State Fair!
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This year, the Illinois Arts Council (IAC) brought joy to the Illinois State Fair with a unique activity that put smiles on everyone's faces! Partnering with First Lady MK Pritzker, the Illinois State Museum, and the Illinois Department of Early Childhood, the IAC invited families to participate in creating a vibrant 350-piece puzzle mural, aptly named "Miles of Smiles."
From August 18-21, under the cool shade of the First Lady's Tent, children and adults alike joined forces to color and contribute to this collaborative masterpiece. Joshua Davis-Ruperto, the IAC's Executive Director, shared his enthusiasm: "It's a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Illinois's creative spirit and bring people together through art."
Visitors also enjoyed a variety of free activities, including firework painting, sculpture making, and even delicious culinary goodies like homemade butter and ice cream. The festive tent was a hub of creativity and fun, complete with a photo booth and icy freeze pops for all.
With the fair celebrating America's 250th anniversary, the IAC's contribution was a testament to the power of art in connecting people and spreading joy. The puzzle will be presented at the Illinois State Museum this fall to showcase the fine work of these amazing Illinois artists.
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The Illinois Arts Council's (IAC) FY27 Creative Accelerator Fund (CAF) guidelines are now available. Follow the link below to learn more!
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IAC Announces the Launch of the 2026-2027 Poetry Out Loud Season
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The Illinois Arts Council is thrilled to announce the beginning of the new Poetry Out Loud (POL) season in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. This season kicks off with the release of this year's anthology on September 1st. We encourage teachers, organizers, and communities to keep us informed of their planning efforts as we embark on another inspiring POL season together.
The digital 2026-27 Guide for Teachers and Organizers is now available for teachers, organizers, and communities. Key changes this year include updated evaluation criteria and the reintroduction of poem selection guidelines, requiring one poem of 25 lines or fewer and one published before 1930 at state and national finals. These updates aim for clarity and consistency across all POL materials, emphasizing authenticity and specific evaluation language for all participants.
If you're in your first (or even second) year as a POL coordinator in your state or territory, you are welcome to attend an informal virtual orientation on Wednesday, September 9, at 3pm EST. Please RSVP to attend here.
Poetry Out Loud is a nationwide program that transforms poetry from static text to dynamic performance. It engages high school students in a poetry recitation contest that enhances public speaking skills, builds confidence, and enriches knowledge of literary traditions. A collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts and state arts agencies, managed by Mid Atlantic Arts, POL equips teachers and organizers with free educational resources, including an online anthology.
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FY27 IAC Grant Application Notifications
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The Illinois Arts Council (IAC) began sending award, ineligible, and regret letters to applicants for the following grant programs beginning August 7, 2026:
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Creative Learning Grants (CLG)
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Regional Arts Partners (RAP)
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General Operating Support (GOS)
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Youth Employment in Arts (YEA)
Applications submitted under the open deadline Creative Projects grant program are currently under review. Applicants will be contacted as soon as the review of their application is completed.
Grant notifications are sent by email from [email protected]. If you have not received your notification in your inbox, please check your spam or junk folder.
If you have received an award letter and have submitted the required documents, they will be reviewed by the Grants Office in the order in which they are received. Once the documents have been reviewed, a Grant Agreement will be issued through InsureSign, from [email protected]. Once the signed Grant Agreement is returned to IAC, it will be fully executed, and a copy will be sent to the Authorizing Official who signed the Grant Agreement.
Please note that we are processing a large number of documents at this time. We appreciate your patience and ask that you allow sufficient time for the Grants Office to review and process your submitted documents. Due to the volume of documents being processed, we may not be able to respond individually to emails inquiring about the status of submitted documents. We appreciate your understanding if there are delays in responding to such inquiries. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we complete the grant review and notification process.
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The City of Highland Park invites artists/artist-led teams to contribute to the creation of an outdoor surface artwork installation at Port Clinton Plaza in Highland Park. This installation, part of the permanent Place of Remembrance, will honor the lives lost and forever changed by the Highland Park shooting on July 4, 2022. The artwork aims to provide a space for reflection and memory, while also acknowledging the importance of Port Clinton Plaza as a key commercial hub and event site. The budget for this project is set at $200,000.
Artists interested in this opportunity should submit their proposals electronically through CaFÉ, with no submission fee. All entries must be received by September 11, 2026, and late submissions may not be considered. Prospective applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review the full Request for Qualifications (RFQ) requirements available via the link below. For further information or questions, contact Assistant City Manager Emily Taub at [email protected].
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Featured Illinois Arts Organization
Experimental Sound Studio - FY26 IAC General Operating Support Recipient
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ESS's Florasonic installation at the Lincoln Park Conservatory. Photo by Alex Inglizian
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Experimental Sound Studio (ESS) is a pioneering Chicago nonprofit dedicated to the evolution of sound and experimental music. Since its founding in 1986, ESS has been at the forefront of the sonic arts, providing an ecosystem where artists can explore and innovate. As both an organizer and a resource hub, ESS commissions new works and develops public programs in experimental music. It offers artists access to a Creative Audio Archive, a recording studio, paid residencies, workshops, and more, supporting over 475 artists annually.
Marking its 40th anniversary, ESS has broadened its reach by opening major public presentations to open calls. This includes the Sonic Pavilion Festival at Jay Pritzker Pavilion, scheduled for September 12-14, and the 25th Anniversary Florasonic installation at the Lincoln Park Conservatory, running from August 23 to October 11. Both programs highlight ESS's dedication to site-specific sound art. To celebrate, ESS will host an anniversary event at its Edgewater location on October 17, with more details to be announced soon.
"It is a unique privilege to work daily with a community of people who are pushing the boundaries of art, of our conceptions of self and society. We're doing a detailed audit now, but in a conservative estimate, ESS has worked with nearly 5,000 artists over the past 40 years, all of whom were interrogating our understanding of the world in different ways. It gives you a different perspective, one which I find quite hopeful, to work within that sort of lineage," says ESS Co-Director Olivia Junell. "We look forward to the next 40 years."
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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 Dukati & Biseri Serbian Folk Dancers, photo credit, Zlatina Georgieva
arts.illinois.gov
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