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Issue 80 / February 6, 2026
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In this issue:
• IAC Announces FY27 General Operating Support Grant Application Opening
• IAC Announces LEAD Scholarship Opportunity
• IAC Final Reports Update
• CineYouth Film Festival is Accepting Applications through February 16
• In Observance of Lincoln's Birthday the IAC will be Closed on February 12
• Featured Illinois Arts Organization
• Additional Opportunities
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Illinois Arts Council Announces
Fiscal Year 2027 General Operating Support
Grant Application Opening
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The Illinois Arts Council (IAC) is announcing the opening of its Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) General Operating Support (GOS) grant program. This program includes optional questions for the Youth Employment in the Arts (YEA) Grant. Eligible not-for-profit organizations that provide arts programming can apply for the GOS grant, which aims to support arts programs and ensure accessibility and relevance to a diverse audience. The deadline for application submission via IAC's Salesforcegrant portal is Wednesday, March 18, 2026, by 11:59 pm.
The YEA Grant offers up to $4,500 to GOS recipients for youth employment opportunities, targeting individuals aged 14 to 22. Organizations can request funding for up to four youth employees, with roles ranging from administrative to artistic tasks.
Interested applicants should visit the GOS with YEA webpagefor detailed eligibility requirements and application guidelines. A prerecorded webinar is available to guide applicants through the process. IAC will host five "Drop-In" sessions for real-time assistance, accessible via WebEx without pre-registration. The first Drop-In is scheduled for Monday, February 9, at 3pm. For further inquiries, contact your Regional Program Director.
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The Illinois Arts Council (IAC) is pleased to announce a scholarship opportunity for the 2026 Leadership Exchange in Arts & Disability (LEAD) Conference, taking place in Philadelphia, PA, from August 11 to August 14, 2026. Eligible candidates can receive up to $1,500 to cover registration, travel, and hotel expenses. This scholarship is open to staff from eligible Illinois not-for-profit arts organizations, units of government, and higher education institutions that focus on making cultural arts programs accessible to people with disabilities. Priority consideration will be given to IAC grantees who are first-time attendees and those from rural, high-poverty, BIPOC, and disability communities.
The deadline for scholarship applications is Thursday, March 5, 2026, by 11:59 PM, and submissions must be made through the IAC's Salesforce grant portal. It's important to note that this scholarship is taxable to the individual attending the conference. The LEAD Conference is an invaluable opportunity for professionals to engage with global experts, share best practices, and enhance their skills in creating inclusive arts environments.
For detailed information on conference registration and the scholarship application process, please visit the IAC website. For further assistance, please contact your Regional Program Director.
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The Illinois Arts Council (IAC) is pleased to announce that the email distribution of final report instructions has begun for the following FY25 grant programs:
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IAC Partnerships & Initiatives
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Creative Catalyst
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LEAD Scholarships
Please check your inbox for this important email from our grants office via [email protected]. Add this email address to your safe senders list to avoid going to spam, as it contains instructions and links for completing your final report in IAC's Salesforce system. We urge all recipients to carefully review the email and follow the guidelines to submit their final report on time successfully. The final report deadline for these programs is February 28, 2026.
Instructions for Public Radio & Television (PRTV), Arts & Foreign Language (AFL), Creative Accelerator Fund, and Folk Arts Mentorship (FAM) final reports will be shared soon. Be sure to visit our IAC Grant Tracker web page for a timeline thatincludes updates on all IAC grants and important email distributions.
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Young filmmakers, take note! The CineYouth Film Festival, part of the Chicago International Film Festival, is still accepting submissions through February 16, 2026. This global festival is open to filmmakers aged 22 and younger, showcasing short films that highlight diverse youth voices. Categories include Animation, Chicago, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Experimental, International, and Rising Star. Selected award-winning films will be screened at the 61st Chicago International Film Festival's "Best of the Fest" event.
To foster inclusivity, a 50% submission discount is available for BIPOC filmmakers and filmmakers with disabilities, or films featuring performers with disabilities, using codes BIPOCVOICES2026 and DISABILITYVOICES2026. Films must be in English or subtitled, with a running time of 15 minutes or less, including credits. Ensure all copyrighted materials are licensed. Multiple submissions are allowed, each requiring a separate FilmFreeway entry. Notifications for selected films will be emailed in March 2026. Don't miss this opportunity to showcase your talent and connect with industry experts and peers.
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Featured Illinois Arts Organization
Bishop Hill Heritage Association, FY26 General Operating Support Recipient
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Bucktown Americana Music Show, featured in BHHA's 2025 Doodle Folk Music Festival
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The Bishop Hill Heritage Association (BHHA) was established in 1962 to preserve the historic remnants of the Bishop Hill Colony, a communal settlement founded by Swedish immigrants in the mid-19th century. Located in Bishop Hill, Illinois, the BHHA is committed to maintaining the town's unique Swedish cultural heritage and historical architecture. Among its key sites are the 1854 Steeple Building, originally intended as a hotel but utilized for various purposes over the years, now serving as the main museum and administrative office, and the 1908 Albert Krans Livery Stable, which showcases horse-related artifacts from the early 1900s. Both museums operate on a free-will donation basis, inviting visitors to explore the rich history and cultural legacy of this "Utopia on the Prairie."
The BHHA offers a diverse array of programs and events aimed at engaging the community and preserving its historical narrative. These initiatives include guided tours, family research services, and the organization of major festivals such as the Christmas Market, Lucia Nights, the Doodle Folk Music Festival, and the Chautauqua. Additionally, the association conducts workshops on Swedish folk arts and crafts and regularly features demonstrators in traditional skills like weaving and broom making. The BHHA also plays a pivotal role in maintaining Bishop Hill as a vibrant living community by facilitating cultural exchanges and supporting the restoration of historic properties.
Says Todd DeDecker, BHHA Administrator, "IAC funding is a vital part of BHHA educational programs. Because of their support, we are able to bring in musicians and other artists to our area that we normally could not afford. Due to IAC assistance, the Heritage is able to provide a variety of educational and artistic opportunities through concerts, workshops, and presentations that expand the knowledge and skills of our western Illinois audience."
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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 a 2024 exhibit from Instituto Cervantes of Chicago, titled "Moscoso Cosmos: The Visual Universe of Victor Moscoso. " Pictured is Moscoso's "Neon Rose" poster series. Photo courtesy of Instituto Cervantes of Chicago.
arts.illinois.gov
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