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Issue 70 / November 14, 2025
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In this issue:
• Thank you for Making One State 2025 Unforgettable!
• IAC Announces 2025-2026 Poetry Out Loud
• Bloomington's Streetscape Transformed
• Access/VSA International Young Musicians Program
• Ragdale Ring Design-Build competition: Call for Proposals
• Remembering Bill Ivey
• Illinois Artist Spotlight
• Additional Opportunities
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Thank You for Making One State 2025 Unforgettable!
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Thank you to all 350 attendees who joined us for an inspiring One State Conference in Champaign-Urbana from November 5-7, 2025. This first-ever combined conference by the Illinois Arts Council (IAC) and Illinois Humanities (IH), themed "Meeting the Moment," was an inspiring convergence of arts, culture, and humanities professionals who came together for three days of vibrant discussions and impactful networking.
From the onset, the conference set a dynamic tone with a round table discussion featuring Erin Harkey from Americans for the Arts, Joshua Davis-Ruperto (IAC), and Gabrielle H. Lyon (IH). The conference then got going with a whopping 39 sessions on topics ranging from grantmaking, accessibility, and financial management - just to name a few! These sessions were accompanied by social activities, plenaries, and featured performances, including Mariachi Libertad on opening night and Freedom Coalition at the Krannert Center, reinforcing the significance of the arts as an integral part of community and cultural identity.
Other event highlights include a visit from Illinois State Senator Robert Martwick, readings by Illinois Poet Laureate Mark Turcotte, continued IAC 60th Anniversary celebrations, and a special tribute to past IAC board chair Shirley Madigan.
Your enthusiasm and engagement made this year's One State a resounding success. Together, we explored the future of arts and humanities, shared invaluable insights, and fostered new connections. Relive some of the event's most memorable moments by checking out exclusive photos from Dan Reynolds Photography (event photos) and GlitterGuts Photography (photobooth).Feel free to share - and attribute them accordingly!
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The Illinois Arts Council (IAC) is excited to announce the opening of the 2025-2026 Poetry Out Loud competition, inviting high school students from across Illinois to participate in this national poetry recitation event. Established through a collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and state arts councils, Poetry Out Loud encourages students to explore American poetry, enhancing their public speaking skills and confidence while deepening their appreciation for literary history.
This year's program is aligned with the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, with a special focus on poems that celebrate the nation's cultural richness and historical tapestry. The poems selected for this year's competition are from the public domain and must be chosen from the official online Poetry Out Loud anthology.
Participants will begin with classroom and school competitions in January, advancing to regional contests in February, leading up to the state competition in Springfield on March 2, 2026. Winners will proceed to the national finals in Washington, DC, in April, where $50,000 in awards and stipends will be distributed.
To register for the 2025-2026 program, the IAC invites high schools and organizations to complete the Poetry Out Loud Participation Formby January 16, 2026. The IAC will work with interested schools and organizations to include them in the official Poetry Out Loud program. Schools and organizations that are not in the official program may conduct their own competitions using the online resources. Should you have questions, please contact either Susan Dickson, IAC Program Director at [email protected]or Sheila Walk, Education Director, Springfield Area Arts Council at [email protected].
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Bloomington's Streetscape Transformed
McLean County Arts' Community Mural Project Unites
Residents Through Art
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Photo credit, Clay Jackson, the Pantagraph
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The McLean County Arts Center (MCAC) has brought life to Bloomington's streetscape with a vibrant community mural project. This initiative invites residents to engage in a series of free workshops to create self-portraits, which are then affixed to the exterior of MCAC's historic 1908 building. As the Bloomington streetscape undergoes its second renovation phase, this mural not only enhances the visual appeal of downtown but also serves as a time capsule, embodying the spirit of the community. The project aims to soften the building's facade and inspire artists to adopt professional mural standards.
The community mural project has significantly impacted both local artists and the community. By hosting over thirty workshops, the MCAC ensures inclusivity, allowing residents from various backgrounds to express their identities artistically. Participants, ranging from young children to the elderly, have the unique opportunity to immortalize their likenesses, creating a profound sense of belonging and legacy. The project also addresses broader community engagement, welcoming individuals facing challenges such as homelessness to participate, thereby reinforcing the idea that everyone has a place in the arts.
Supported through an $11,000 IAC Creative Catalyst Grant, the project has become an enduring symbol of community collaboration. Doug Johnson, Executive Director of MCAC, expressed gratitude, stating, "We are grateful for the support of the Illinois Arts Council. This grant catalyzed a now ongoing project that has captured the hearts of our community. I expect that this community mural will serve as a tremendous legacy of community artistic collaboration."
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The Kennedy Center has announced that applications are now open for the Access/VSA International Young Musicians Award. This prestigious opportunity is open to young musicians aged 14-25 who are part of the disability community. Winners will receive a $3,000 USD financial stipend and the chance to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in July. The competition welcomes musicians from all genres, including classical, jazz, hip-hop, bluegrass, rock, and more.
The term 'disability' encompasses a broad range of experiences, including visible, physical, and sensory conditions as well as conditions like anxiety, ADHD, depression, chronic illness, PTSD, OCD, and neurodivergence. Detailed eligibility requirements and application instructions can be found on the Kennedy Center's website, where interested applicants can also view a recording of the recent Application 101 Webinar.
The application deadline is January 7, 2026.
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The Ragdale Ring
Design-Build Competition
Call for Proposals 2026-2027
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Ragdale, the nationally acclaimed artist residency program, is now accepting proposals for the 12th edition of the Ragdale Ring design-build competition. This project seeks submissions for the construction of a temporary, outdoor pavilion to house performances, concerts, readings, educational programs, and gatherings. The Ragdale Ring competition is open to architects and designers at all stages of their careers.
The application deadline is January 9, 2026.
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Remembering Bill Ivey
A Champion for Arts and Cultural Inclusivity
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It is with profound sadness that the Illinois Arts Council acknowledges the passing of Bill Ivey, former Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Ivey, who led the NEA from 1998 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton, played a pivotal role in expanding the reach of the arts across the nation. With a master's degree in folklore and ethnomusicology from Indiana University, Ivey began his illustrious career at the Country Music Foundation, where he quickly ascended to the role of director.
Renowned for his dedication to inclusivity, Ivey's tenure as NEA Chairman was marked by initiatives that brought artistic opportunities to underserved communities. His leadership resulted in the creation of the Challenge America program, which supports small organizations and promotes cultural accessibility. Moreover, under his guidance, the National Millennium Projects, including the Favorite Poem Project and Continental Harmony, were launched, engaging Americans with the arts as the millennium approached.
Ivey's vision and advocacy for the arts continue to resonate, reminding us of the vital role that creativity plays in enriching our lives and communities. As we remember his contributions, we are grateful for his unwavering commitment to ensuring that the arts belong to all Americans. His legacy will endure, inspiring future generations to cherish and celebrate the cultural tapestry of our nation.
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Illinois Artist Spotlight
Chris Vallillo, FY25 Creative Catalyst Grant Recipient
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At last week's "One State in the Arts and Humanities Conference," Illinois' own Chris Vallillocaptivated audiences with his deep-rooted connection to the musical heritage of rural America. A singer/songwriter and master of fingerstyle and bottleneck slide guitar, Vallillo has spent over three decades bringing the stories of the Midwest to life. His work, praised by Dirty Linen magazine as "vivid, original story songs," is a testament to his profound understanding of history and culture, an insight perhaps sharpened by his anthropology degree from Beloit College. Vallillo's contributions to the arts have been recognized with accolades, including a 1986 Illinois Arts Council Artist Fellowship in music composition.
At the conference, Vallillo presented a session on his acclaimed Forgottonia.The session provided a platform to discuss the partnerships and creative strategies necessary to make a rural project successful. Highlighting his ongoing support from IH and the IAC, Vallillo said, "Forgottonia was literally an outgrowth of the 2019 One State Conference, and Creative Catalyst support from the IAC helped make it a reality. Sometimes you can feel isolated in rural Illinois, but being together with nearly 350 individuals from the creative sector at this year's One State was incredibly inspiring!" The session concluded with a short performance by Vallillo along with an engaging discussion on partnerships by Fairouz AbuGazaleh (IH) and Angelique Grandone (IAC).
Vallillo recently completed his soundtrack for "Forgotten Valor," a new documentary on General William Wallace from Ottawa, Illinois. This project by the Ottawa Historical Museum (partially funded by a Creative Projects Grant) explores Wallace's storied life and his ultimate sacrifice at the Battle of Shiloh. The film is now showing from November 15th to 20th at the Ottawa Historical and Scouting Museum.
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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 banner features IAC Board Chair, Nora Daley who was interviewed by WBEZ Chicago's Elly Fishman this past week. Photo by Manuel Martinez, WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times. Read the story HERE!
arts.illinois.gov
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