2026.04.02 Boost Your Artistic Career - Free Artist INC Express Workshop Comes to Quincy, IL

Artist INC Express, a career development program of Mid-America Arts Alliance, has partnered with the Illinois Arts Council, Missouri Arts Council, and Arts Quincy to help artists of any discipline develop the building blocks for a thriving and enduring arts practice.

Led by a team of experienced, working artists, this in-person, ten-hour, hands-on workshop helps artists address specific needs and challenges that artists face throughout their careers. Through discussions, activities, and hands-on exercises, artist-facilitators and a new network of peer artists will help participating artists set goals for their practice, write about their work, and build a personal brand.

Interested artists may register now:

https://www.maaa.org/event/artist-inc-express-hannibal-mo-quincy-il-in-person/

The program is free and open to artists of all disciplines and skill levels.

Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm CDT

Sunday, April 26, 2026, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm CDT

Location: Oakley Lindsay Center at 300 Civics Center Dr. #244, Quincy, IL 62301

Artist INC Express is a slimmed-down, yet still highly active, version of the popular eight-week Artist INC program ( www.artistinc.art ), which has been completed by more than 2,000 artists since 2009. Artist INC Express explores those same core concepts of how to build a lasting arts practice in a shorter, more flexible format to help reach a broader audience of artists.

Artist INC Express is not your standard classroom experience. If you sign on for Artist INC Express, you are asked to commit to the entire ten-hour workshop, as exercises build on one another and as participants develop deep relationships with their fellow artists over the three sessions. Be ready to participate throughout in group discussions, hands-on exercises, and small group work.

Right away, Artist INC Express activates a network of artists in your community, leading to more peer-to-peer resource sharing, collaborations, and support long after the workshop concludes.

So worth it. I feel so empowered, seen, supported, hopeful, and ready to launch what I learned. The difference in me from before to after is palpable.

- Artist INC program participant

Now in its fifteenth year, Artist INC has been completed by more than 2,000 artists. Artist INC is supported in part by grants from the Windgate Foundation, the Hallmark Corporate Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Learn more about Artist INC at www.artistinc.art .

About Illinois Arts Council

The Illinois Arts Council serves the people of Illinois through a variety of grants and services, primarily geared to:

• Support Illinois' Arts Sector: Operating and technical support provided to organizations and programs statewide helps keep Illinois' arts sector vital, vibrant, and accessible to all.
• Advance Arts Education: The arts can be a part of the education of every single child in this state through the programs, services, partnerships, and collaborations of the Illinois Arts Council.
• Foster Creativity and Working Artists: Resources, opportunities, and direct support for the work of individual artists-the foundation of Illinois' creative environment.

About Missouri Arts Council

The Missouri Arts Council supports the arts that strengthen the cultural, educational, and economic vitality of our state.

About Arts Quincy

We work to sustain Quincy's renowned cultural vitality and enrich our community through the arts. We're working to influence academic achievement, drive economic prosperity, and improve the overall health and well-being of ourselves and our neighbors. Our national-award-winning programs are made possible because of the support we receive from our generous donors.

About Mid-America Arts Alliance

Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA) strengthens and supports artists, cultural organizations, and communities throughout Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and beyond. To learn more about M-AAA grants, programs, exhibitions, and fellowships, visit www.maaa.org and follow us on Bluesky , Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn .