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Issue 68 / October 31, 2025
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In this issue:
• One State Conference - FINAL CALL
• IAEA Celebrates 77th Annual Conference
• LEAD Seeking Proposals for Sessions
• Applications Now Open for 2026-27 NEA Big Read
• Illinois Artist Spotlight
• Additional Opportunities
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One State Conference - FINAL CALL
Tickets for One State 2025 are almost gone; don't miss your chance to join artists, organizers, and cultural workers from across Illinois in this vibrant convening presented by the Illinois Arts Council and Illinois Humanities.
Join a diverse network of organizations from across the state for a conference designed to help participants make connections, develop skills, spark new ideas, and catalyze a vibrant, resilient vision for Illinois' arts and humanities ecosystem. Its theme, Meeting the Moment, invites all of us to explore what this moment asks of us-and what we can build together through the humanities and the arts.
Let's shape the future of our communities together!
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Illinois Art Education Association
Celebrates 77th Annual Conference
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IAEA Award Recipients at the 77th annual Illinois Arts Educators Association conference, at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center from October 23 to 25. Photo credit: Jerome Grand
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IAC Program Director Jerome Grand attended and presented at this year's annual Illinois Arts Educators Association (IAEA) conference in Schaumburg, Illinois. The conference provided lively and insightful professional development for visual art, media, and design educators from throughout the state.
Sessions covered dozens of topics relevant to K-12, higher education, museums, and beyond. This year's distinguished speakers included Kelly Kermode, a former public school teacher turned pottery studio owner in Grand Rapids, who now helps her community to find space and reflection through creativity; Mario Mena, whose work in education and public art has led to advocacy, bringing murals to communities on the southwest side of Chicago; and Nettrice Gaskins, a digital artist, academic, cultural critic, and advocate of STEAM with expertise in teaching creative AI, robotics, multimedia, visual art, and computer science.
The conference marked another year for festivities, with a student art show and honors, a gala, accolades, and awards. Congratulations to the recipients of IAEA's awards:
Theresa Fontana, Art Educator of the Year
Wendy Guss, Secondary Art Educator of the Year
Gillian Vera Teichman, Early Professional Art Educator of the Year
Tammy J Kordik, Elementary Art Educator of the Year
Dr. Kelly M Gross, Higher Education Art Educator of the Year
Lilian Blaser, Art Administrator/Supervisor of the Year
Dr. Anne L Becker, Distinguished Service to the Profession of Art Education
Theresa McGee, Professional Development Grant Recipient
Jill Lagerstam, Professional Development Grant Recipient
Said IAC Program Director Jerome Grand, "With a blend of inspiration, education, and community engagement, the conference reinforced the importance of arts in education and the collaborative spirit of those dedicated to nurturing creativity in students throughout Illinois."
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The Kennedy Center's Office of Accessibility is now seeking proposals for sessions during the 2026 LEAD® Conference,August 10-14, 2026, in Philadelphia, PA. This is your opportunity to:
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provide practical, hands-on training in an access lab session;
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design a think tank on a topic you'd like to delve into with others in the field;
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share knowledge, experience, and multiple perspectives through a panel presentation;
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give a quick snapshot of your work through a lightning talk; or
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take a deep dive into a specific topic in a 4-8-hour capacity-building workshop!
Learn tips for crafting a successful proposal at a proposal writing webinar on Wednesday, November 5, from 2-3pm Eastern. Follow the LINK to register.
The deadline to submit a proposal is November 21, 2025, at 11:59pm ET.
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Applications are now open for the 2026-27 NEA Big Read, a national program supported by the National Endowment for the Artsand Arts Midwest. This initiative offers matching grants of up to $20,000 to community groups for reading programs that explore American history, culture, and resilience through selected books.
The theme for this cycle, America250, commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Communities can choose from a diverse library of books, including classics like "The Grapes of Wrath" and contemporary works such as "The House on Mango Street," to inspire discussions, workshops, and creative activities.
The deadline to submit an Intent to Apply is January 15, 2026, with final applications due January 29. Funded programs will take place between September 2026 and June 2027. This is a valuable opportunity for Illinois communities to foster dialogue and celebrate America's rich history and cultural heritage.
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Illinois Artist Spotlight
Maggie Capettini, FY26 Creative Accelerator Fund
Grant Recipient
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Photo credit, Katie O'Brien Photography
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Maggie Capettini, a visual artist and poet from Downers Grove, Illinois, creates a diverse range of work, including representational paintings, abstract pieces, and ceramics. Her talent has been recognized through multiple awards, including Illinois Arts Council Individual Artist Support grants and a National Endowment for the Arts Our Town Grant. Maggie's art has been exhibited widely, with her pieces found in public collections both locally and internationally. She often draws inspiration from outdoor settings like the Morton Arboretum and urban landscapes around her community, which enrich her artistic expression. Maggie's recent diagnosis of a genetic connective tissue disorder has profoundly influenced her art, inspiring a new series that explores her personal journey through various mediums, including printmaking, photography, and fiber art.
As her children grow more independent, Maggie is excited to deepen her practice and share her evolving artistic voice. Says Maggie, "In 2023, I wrote a commitment on a sticky note: 'I will fully dedicate myself to my studio practice for two years.' Being an artist, and only an artist, is daunting, but these last two years have gone by so quickly and with many successes to celebrate. The support from the IAC allows me to maintain my studio at Water Street Studios, where I am currently developing a series of abstract paintings. The award also goes toward a complete professional redesign of my website, customizing it to my needs as I begin to add ceramics and poetry to my online portfolio."
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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 features The Morton Arboretum's 15thannual "Glass Pumpkin Patch"-a celebration of autumn and artistry that took place on October 10-12, 2025. Photo credit: The Morton Arboretum.
arts.illinois.gov
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