Atlanta Public Library receives grant
from Illinois Prairie Community Foundation
Sign up now for arts discovery camp

[May 18, 2017]  ATLANTA - The Atlanta Public Library has received a grant of $6,000 from Illinois Prairie Community Foundation to support the Library’s Summer Arts Discovery Camps in theatre, music/dance, and visual art for children. The grant is funded through Illinois Prairie Community Foundation’s Arts & Culture.

“By funding programs like the Library’s, Illinois Prairie Community Foundation ensures that quality programs enrich the communities in which we live,” said Greg Meyer, Executive Director of Illinois Prairie Community Foundation. “We are committed to helping build strong communities in Central Illinois.”

During the current grant cycle, Illinois Prairie Community Foundation awarded $150,200 in three categories of grants to 54 programs in McLean, DeWitt, Livingston and Logan Counties. Grants ranged from $600-$8,200. Funding came from the Jerome Mirza Foundation, donors to the Foundation’s annual campaign and endowments.

The Library’s Summer Arts Discovery Camp is now in its fifth year, serving approximately 90 children each year from Kindergarten through 8th grade.

Theater Camp

This year’s camp begins with a week of theatre led by Jean Kerr of Illinois Wesleyan University.

Participants in grades 1-2 meet Monday through Friday June 5-9 from 9-10 a.m. and those in grades 3-5 meet daily from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with lunch provided.

Students perform their original work on Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. at the Library’s Union Hall space.

Visual Art Camp

Week two from June 12-16 features visual art with Mary Sunday.

Grades 3-5 meet daily from 9:00-11:30 a.m., and grades K-2 meet from 1:30-3:00 p.m.

A gallery show of young artists’ work will be held at 6:30 p.m. on June 16.

Music/Dance Camp

Music/Dance Camp will take place from July 10-14 and will once again be led by Broadway and TV star Bob Lupone, who was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in A Chorus Line.

Students in grades 1-3 will meet daily from 9-10:30 a.m., and those in grades 4-8 will meet from 11:00AM-2:30 p.m., with lunch provided.

The final show will be held on the evening of July 14 at Union Hall. There is a small charge for each camp.

New this year for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders – A Thousand Cranes

For the first time this year, junior high students in grades 6, 7 and 8 may audition for the play A Thousand Cranes.

Auditions will be held on June 3. Those interested in auditioning should call the Library at 217-648-2112 for more information and to sign up for auditions.

Rehearsals for the play—which will be performed for the public on June 16—will be Monday through Friday June 5-16 from 3:00-5:00 p.m.

About Illinois Prairie Community Fund

Illinois Prairie Community Foundation, now in its 21st year, encourages and facilitates philanthropy in McLean, DeWitt, Livingston and Logan Counties by connecting donors who care with causes that matter to them. The foundation currently manages assets of $11.2 million in 145 funds including donor advised, agency, and scholarship funds and endowments.

[Catherine Maciariello]