Illinois Arts Council Calls for Arts-In-Education Residency Applications

March 1 Deadline

[January 07, 2008]  CHICAGO -- The Illinois Arts Council encourages all Illinois schools and eligible not-for-profit organizations to apply for the fiscal 2009 Arts-in-Education Residency Program. Program grants provide support for Illinois artists' residencies in schools and communities statewide. Residencies range from two weeks to six months in duration and are available to eligible primary and secondary educational institutions, community colleges, and local arts and community organizations, as well as four-year colleges and universities if the residency involves the local K-12 student population.

At the heart of the residency program is the belief that an artist-in-residence can make an invaluable and unique contribution to the educational process. As a professional artist teaching and creating his or her art at the residency site, the artist-in-residence can inspire one classroom, one teacher, one school district or one community to integrate the arts into its ongoing activities and become a vital part of everyone's learning experience. Past grants have supported residencies sponsored by schools and school districts, libraries, park districts, churches, colleges, universities, local arts agencies, municipalities, hospitals, community centers, youth organizations, and senior centers.

The application deadline for the fiscal 2009 program is March 1. This cycle includes projects taking place between Oct. 1, 2008, and Aug. 31, 2009. Applications are reviewed by Illinois Arts Council staff or an advisory panel.

The Illinois Arts Council now offers online versions of the Arts-in-Education guidelines, application and roster of artists. The online roster is an interactive, searchable database, providing all the information in the printed roster as well as direct links to many of the artists' professional sites on the Web.

Note: The Illinois Arts Council does not serve as a booking agent. Please contact the roster artists directly to discuss residency availability.

For more information regarding Illinois Arts Council programs and to sign up for the Illinois Arts Council newsletter, please visit www.state.il.us/agency/iac/; call 312-814-6750, 800-237-6994 toll-free in Illinois or TTY 888-261-7957 for individuals who have hearing or voice impairments; or e-mail [e-mail].

Individuals who are blind, have low vision or have learning impairments may obtain assistance regarding Illinois Arts Council applications and written materials by contacting the ADA/504 access coordinator: Encarnación Teruel, phone [phone], [e-mail].

[Text from Illinois Arts Council file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]

Illinois Arts Council -- "Building a strong, creative, and connected Illinois through the engagement of all Illinoisans in the pursuit of, participation in and enjoyment of the arts."