What are the opening hours?

Monday 8:30am - 5pm Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm Thursday 8:30am - 5pm Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Illinois Arts Council, 115 S. LaSalle Street , Ste. 2202, Chicago, IL (2025)

09/23/2025

REPOSTING Opportunity for Artists:
RAIR RESIDENCIES
Applications are open until Monday, September 30 at 11:59 pm EST.

RAIR's mission is to challenge the perception of waste culture by providing a unique platform at the intersection of art and industry, and community. Situated inside a construction and demolition waste recycling company in northeast Philadelphia, RAIR creates and provides artist residencies, fellowships, new project commissions, interdisciplinary partnerships, and public programs.

RAIR has 2 residency programs: THE STANDARD RESIDENCY and THE BIGGIE SHORTIE. Both are given access to Revolution Recovery’s waste stream as well as access to RAIR’s staff- who work closely with all residents.

THE STANDARD RESIDENCY: a longer, more traditional studio based program. Standard residents are given access to waste materials and a studio and project space during the week and weekends. This residency is good for people who want to dedicate 4-6 full weeks to their project and studio practice as RAIR.

or

THE BIGGIE SHORTIE: a shorter length, project based residency that takes place mainly on weekends typically outside of the recycling facilities operating hours. The flexible nature of Biggie Shorties allow for proposed projects to be customized to fit each residency. This residency is good for artist with commitments during the weeks and can only be present at RAIR during the weekends.

Residencies are open to all emerging and mid career artists based nationally and internationally. Applicants must be 21 years of age or older and not be actively enrolled in a college or university program during the time of residency.

Photo: Ang Li, 2019 Open Call resident

For more information, follow the link: www.rairphilly.org/for-applicants

09/23/2025

REPOSTING Opportunity for AAPI Performers, Artists & Makers:
APIDA Arts / .arts /
Permission to Fail: Asian American Art in Progress

Have a monologue you're working on? Sketches for a new illustration? Stuck on a short film script and need inspiration? Want feedback on your stand-up comedy routine, or incomplete visual art?

Asian American Arts Chicago provides Asian American artists and performers the freedom to fail and present new works in this quarterly artist salon/workshop. "Permission to Fail" is open to the public and supports the works-in-progress of 5-8 Asian American artists of various mediums, from performance to visual art and more.

Sharing new work with your peers is a brave and valuable process, we hope you'll apply to present your work-in-progress to a live audience.

Inspired by French artist salons, "Permission to Fail" welcomes unfinished creative work and performances including film, sculpture, dance, theatre, music, photography, fashion, painting, and more.

Entry deadline is September 28 at midnight. AAAC will select works that we're technically able to support, and that would benefit from peer-to-peer and community review. You will be notified by October 1 if your piece has been selected.

Performance is at Lookingglass Theatre Upstairs Studio, 821 N Michigan Ave, Sunday October 19, 6-7:30PM. Let us know if you have questions and thank you for giving yourself permission to fail.

For the application & more info, follow the link: tinyurl.com/freedomtofail
Please direct all questions to

09/23/2025

Governor Pritzker Announces $16.2 Million in FY26 Arts Funding

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Arts Council (IAC) today announce awards totaling $16.2 million in grants to 1,123 artists, arts organizations, and communities throughout Illinois for the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2026. This year's funding empowers the creative sector, bolsters youth employment in the arts, and enhances regional arts initiatives across the state.

Key allocations include $1 million through the Creative Accelerator Fund to support 100 artists, over $14.6 million for General Operating Support and Youth Employment in the Arts, and $575,000 for Regional Arts Partner Grants, addressing local community needs.

As stated by Governor Pritzker, “The arts enrich our lives, our communities, and our culture.” Adds Nora Daley, IAC Board Chair, "By supporting our creative ecosystem, we are fostering innovation, cultural diversity, and economic vitality across the state."

For more details on the FY26 Q1 grants, follow the link: www.tinyurl.com/5n73mp4d

09/22/2025

Opportunity for All:
Lawyers for the Creative Arts /
Creative Conflicts: Alternative Dispute Resolution for Artists

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2025
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Register for free: www.law-arts.org

Disputes happen. Lawsuits are slow and expensive. What alternatives do you have to resolving these disputes? Welcome to the wonderful world of ADR, Alternative Dispute Resolution. Join Lawyers for the Creative Arts to learn about mediation, arbitration, and negotiation approaches to resolving disputes quickly, without burning bridges.

They’ll also touch on the alternative copyright small claims court that offers a potential route to solving those tricky copyright licensing and infringement disputes. Plus, we’ll discuss some key contract clauses that can help reduce the possibility of a dispute and prepare you for a resolution if a dispute does occur.

This program will be led by LCA’s new director of legal services, Weston Dombroski. Register for this free program, get your questions answered, and let’s get busy amicably resolving disputes!

For more details, for the link: www.law-arts.org/event/creative-conflicts-alternative-dispute-resolution-for-artists

For the Sept 30th, 12 noon-1:30PM Zoom link (registration is needed to attend): www.us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JDip4HZuQ2ufIusMhj3eVg #/registration

09/22/2025

The IAC Muse Illinois Artist Spotlight
Adriana Trajkovski, FY25 Creative Catalyst Grant Recipient

Adriana Trajkovski is a Chicago-based actor, writer, and filmmaker. She performs regularly with her improv team, My Son, Daniel, and has performed as a cast member of the iO Theater's house team program, The Annoyance Theater’s annual holiday show IT’S CHRISTMAS, GODDAMNIT!, and various other sketch shows at The Second City, The Annoyance, and iO. This year she wrote, co-directed, and starred in two short films, "Plants" and "Pistachio," that are making their way through the film festival circuit. She is represented by DDO Chicago.

"Currently I am in pre-production for three film projects, most of which came from connections I made while making Pistachio and all of which will be filmed in Chicago," says Adriana. "Pistachio is my second short film, and it would not have been possible without the generous support of the Illinois Arts Council’s Creative Catalyst Grant. It allowed me the freedom to take large creative leaps and compensate all of my expert collaborators. Working with exceptional talent from Chicago’s comedy community was my number one goal, and that is exactly what I was able to do with this film. I look forward to bringing everything I have learned from this opportunity to my future projects."

To learn more about Adriana, follow her on Instagram:

If you want to receive more stories like this, consider signing up for our Muse Newsletter! Visit our homepage and look for CONNECT WITH US!

09/22/2025

DEADLINE REMINDER:
Opportunity for project support led by artists, nonprofits, PreK–12 schools, and other qualifying organizations in the Greater Peoria region (Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford counties):
ArtsPartners of Central Illinois /
Applications for the 2025 Arts Dollars Grant Cycle Now Open through Sept. 29, 2025!

The goal of Arts Dollars is to support programming and artists that enrich the quality of life in the Greater Peoria region through the arts. It is our mission to make art accessible for all.

Artists may request up to $2,000, while nonprofits, schools, libraries, and other qualifying organizations may apply for up to $3,500.

Applicants must reside in Peoria, Tazewell, or Woodford counties, and funded projects must take place between December 1, 2025, and August 15, 2026.

Complete guidelines, eligibility information, and the application form are available at artspartners.net/artsdollars.

To register for the Sept. 17, 12pm informational session: www.us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/B8eLUspFQki5A5yknw-E8w #/registration

For the press release: www.artspartners.net/2025-arts-dollars-grants-now-open-for-applications/

09/21/2025

City as Platform: How CAB, CXW, and EXPO CHICAGO utilize global reach for local impact

Abby Pucker (Founder, Gertie & Producer, Chicago Exhibition Weekend), discusses how she started Chicago Exhibition Weekend & how CXW is reframing the city’s exhibition history.

"People want to be together in spaces that make them feel excited – where they can meet new people. And they're curious to learn about what's happening, not just in their city, but in other cities [...] to celebrate and to explore what's happening here."

www.gertie.co
www.chicagoexhibitionweekend.com

09/21/2025

Nora Daley, IAC Board Chair & Chicago Architecture Biennial Co-Chair participated in City as Platform: How CAB, CXW, and EXPO CHICAGO utilize global reach for local impact on Saturday, September 20, 2025, hosted at the historic Chicago Athletic Association during the opening weekend of the Biennial and CXW.

This breakfast conversation explored how three of Chicago’s leading cultural platforms, the Chicago Architecture Biennial, Chicago Exhibition Weekend (CXW), and EXPO CHICAGO, are working across sectors to shape the city’s cultural landscape and amplify its global voice.

This panel brought together key voices behind these organizations to explore how large-scale cultural initiatives are positioning Chicago as a global destination for contemporary art, architecture, and design.

Moderated by Kate Sierzputowski (Artistic Director, EXPO CHICAGO), the conversation features Nora Daley (Co-Chair, Chicago Architecture Biennial), Christine Messineo (Director of Americas, Frieze) and Abby Pucker (Founder, Gertie & Producer, CXW). Together, they discussed how these initiatives aim to deepen public engagement, build cross-sector partnerships, and ensure that Chicago’s local art and design ecosystems benefit from increased international visibility.

09/20/2025

Nora Daley, IAC Board Chair & Chicago Architecture Biennial Co-Chair participated in City as Platform: How CAB, CXW, and EXPO CHICAGO utilize global reach for local impact on Saturday, September 20, 2025, hosted at the historic Chicago Athletic Association during the opening weekend of the Biennial and CXW.

This breakfast conversation explored how three of Chicago’s leading cultural platforms, the Chicago Architecture Biennial, Chicago Exhibition Weekend (CXW), and EXPO CHICAGO, are working across sectors to shape the city’s cultural landscape and amplify its global voice.

This panel brought together key voices behind these organizations to explore how large-scale cultural initiatives are positioning Chicago as a global destination for contemporary art, architecture, and design.

Moderated by Kate Sierzputowski (Artistic Director, EXPO CHICAGO), the conversation features Nora Daley (Co-Chair, Chicago Architecture Biennial), Christine Messineo (Director of Americas, Frieze) and Abby Pucker (Founder, Gertie & Producer, CXW). Together, they will discuss how these initiatives aim to deepen public engagement, build cross-sector partnerships, and ensure that Chicago’s local art and design ecosystems benefit from increased international visibility.

Photography credits:
Nora Daley: Noah Sheldon
Christine Messineo: Ramsey Alderson
Abby Pucker: Juliee Logan
Kate Sierzputowski: Ash Dye

09/19/2025

More photos from the Friday, Sep 19th 2025 Chicago Architecture Biennial kick-off event at the Chicago Cultural Center

SHIFT: Architecture in Times of Radical Change is the sixth edition of the Chicago and marks the celebration of its tenth anniversary. Featuring over 100 projects by architects, artists, and designers from 30 countries, SHIFT convenes voices from around the world, in a citywide constellation of exhibitions and public programs.

Photo 01: (L-R) Michael Maltzan, principal architect at Michael Maltzan Architecture (MMA), Sara Herda, 2025 Chicago Architecture Biennial Co-Chair and Milton S. F. Curry, a Professor of Architecture and Senior Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Engagement at Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP)
Photo 02: Interior of Preston Bradley Hall, Chicago Cultural Center
Photo 03: Clinée Hedspeth, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events with Sarah Herda
Photo 04: (L-R): 2025 Chicago Architecture Biennial Artistic Director, Florencia Rodriguez, 2025 Chicago Architecture Biennial Co-Chair, Sarah Herda and Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Clinée Hedspeth and 2025 Chicago Architecture Biennial Co-Chair & Illinois Arts Council Board Chair, Nora Daley
Photo 05: Nora Daley giving opening remarks
Photo 06: Clinée Hedspeth speaking
Photo 07: Florencia Rodriguez at the dais
Photo 08: Jennifer Armetta, Executive Director, 2025 Chicago Architecture Biennial

To learn more about the Chicago Architecture Biennial, follow the link:
www.chicagoarchitecturebiennial.org/edition/cab-6-shift/

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

09/19/2025

IAC Board Chair and also Co-Chair of the 2025 Chicago Architecture Biennial gives her opening remarks in a packed Preston Bradley Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center, in downtown Chicago this Friday morning.

SHIFT: Architecture in Times of Radical Change is the sixth edition of the Chicago and marks the celebration of its tenth anniversary. Featuring over 100 projects by architects, artists, and designers from 30 countries, SHIFT convenes voices from around the world, in a citywide constellation of exhibitions and public programs.

Joining Ms. Daley on the stage (L-R): 2025 Chicago Architecture Biennial Artistic Director Florencia Rodriguez, 2025 Chicago Architecture Biennial Co-Chair Sarah Herda and Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Clinée Hedspeth.

To learn more about the Chicago Architecture Biennial, follow the link:
www.chicagoarchitecturebiennial.org/edition/cab-6-shift/

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events /

Illinois Arts Council

09/23/2025

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Monday	8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5pm
Friday	8:30am - 5pm