State of Bruce Rauner, Governor

Illinois Arts Council Agency Shirley R. Madigan, Chairman Tatiana Gant, Executive Director

ILLINOIS ARTS COUNCIL AGENCY BIENNIAL REPORT FISCAL YEARS 2015 AND 2016

The Illinois Arts Council Agency’s (IACA) Biennial Report is presented to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the people of Illinois in accordance with the agency’s authorizing legislation and is based on information current as of the most recently completed Fiscal Year 2016 and includes programming from Fiscal Year 2015. An archive of IACA Annual Reports is available for review at the IACA website.

Illinois Arts Council Agency Biennial Report FY2015- 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

OVERVIEW ...... 2 RESOURCES ...... 2 RESULTS ...... 2 ILLINOIS ARTS COUNCIL AGENCY BOARD MEMBERS ...... 4 ATTACHMENTS ...... 5 Fiscal Year 2015 Listing of Grants by Legislative District ...... 5 Fiscal Year 2016 Listing of Grants by Legislative District ...... 36 FOR MORE INFORMATION ...... 47

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Illinois Arts Council Agency Biennial Report FY2015- 2016

OVERVIEW

The Illinois Arts Council Agency (IACA) was created with the Arts Council Act in 1965. The IACA advances its mission to build a strong, creative, and connected Illinois through the arts with resources and opportunities designed to nurture emerging ideas and to sustain artistic excellence. IACA programs, partnerships, and collaborative efforts achieve benefits of widespread and unique value to the people of Illinois.

The IACA improves economic vitality and quality of life in Illinois by promoting an encouraging atmosphere for creative artists to live and work, and by providing catalytic support to build strong communities. Through investments in small businesses, cultural organizations, and individual artists, the IACA spurs economic development in communities throughout the state.

A small professional staff, with in-depth knowledge of the arts, develops and administers IACA grant programs, provides technical assistance, and facilitates the responsible and impactful distribution of funds. The IACA interacts with Federal, State, and local governments and entities in national conversations on arts, culture, and education.

RESOURCES

Financial resources to support the IACA are provided by the Governor and General Assembly of Illinois. The IACA receives Federal support from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) through a Partnership Agreement to carry out the cultural priorities established by its residents.

The IACA began FY2015 with a General Revenue Fund (GRF) appropriation equal to the previous fiscal year. In January 2015, all state agencies were ordered to cease spending and fund balances were swept; the IACA experienced a 20% reduction. In Fiscal Year 2016 the IACA did not receive a GRF appropriation; only Federal funds from the NEA were appropriated and expended.

FY State (GRF) Reduction Federal (NEA) Total Revenue 2015 $10,109,300 ($2,136,731) $837,500 $8,810,069 2016 $0 $851,900 $851,900

RESULTS

The significant drop in resources in this biennium has presented many challenges. The quality of education suffered as schools had fewer arts learning opportunities. Communities, particularly those with negative economic conditions and geographic isolation, had decreased access to the arts. Cultural organizations had job losses, canceled public arts programming, and some permanently closed.

Keeping the cultural sector of Illinois connected during tumultuous times was essential. In the fall of 2015 the IACA, in cooperation with Arts Alliance Illinois, hosted the eighth biennial One State: Together in the Arts conference. Through inspiring stories from artists and cultural workers, the conference explored how creative activity promotes positive change. Technology increased statewide

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Illinois Arts Council Agency Biennial Report FY2015- 2016 access with many attendees participating via free live stream. The publically accessible video archive has drawn hundreds of views.

The IACA implemented a limited number of programs in this biennium, with priority placed on those that advanced the IACA mission, met the priority for Federal funding, and had the broadest geographic distribution. Because of this strategic investment the IACA was able to maintain funding in nearly every Senate and House district. See attached Grant Lists by Legislative District for details.

Retirements and attrition reduced the IACA’s Full Time Equivalent (FTE) to eight staff members by the end of FY2016, less than half of the authorized headcount. Staff duties have been redistributed to insure that essential functions are maintained. The IACA lacks the staff to be adequately involved in initiatives aimed at improving state operations.

The IACA measures its impact through the Budgeting for Results (BRF) principles that ‘strengthen cultural and environmental vitality’. Among the successes that the IACA can celebrate in this biennium are:  Continued statewide reach of the NEA program Poetry Out Loud which reaches more than 8,000 students and teachers annually.  Opportunities for diverse learning with stipend support for paid student internships at cultural organizations.  Greater reach to traditional folk artists with NEA support for the IACA Master/Apprentice Program.

Support to the IACA is a direct benefit to the citizens of Illinois.

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Illinois Arts Council Agency Biennial Report FY2015- 2016

ILLINOIS ARTS COUNCIL AGENCY BOARD MEMBERS

The IACA is governed by a Board comprised of up to 21 private citizens from throughout Illinois who are appointed by the Governor. These members serve in a voluntary, non-paid, capacity for four-year terms. Board members are charged with developing the state’s public arts policy, fostering quality culturally diverse programs, and approving grants expenditures.

The list below represents Illinois Arts Council Agency Board members who served full or partial terms during Fiscal Year 2015 and 2016.

Shirley R. Madigan, Chair, Andy Van Meter, Secretary, Springfield (FY2015) Rhoda A. Pierce, Vice-Chair, Highland Park

Jill Arena, Chicago Valerie King, Chicago Nadia Daley, South Elgin * Jennifer Levine, Chicago Lisa Dent Bielefeldt, St. Charles Gary Matts, Darien Virginia G. Bobins, Chicago (FY2015) Peggy A. Montes, Chicago William E. Brattain, Colchester (Deceased) Sheila M. O'Brien, Glenview Patrice Bugelas-Brandt, Winnetka Cecilia Rodhe, Chicago Rich Daniels, Evergreen Park Erika Spyropoulos, Oak Brook * Beth Boosalis Davis, Evanston Christina Steelman, Bushnell (FY2016) Christina Kemper Gidwitz, Chicago Tim Touhy, Chicago (FY2016) Henry Godinez, Chicago Howard A. Tullman, Chicago Desiree Grode, Chicago Donald T. Wiener, Chicago Jodie Shagrin Kavensky, Rock Island

*Served January 2015 – December 2015

For the most up-to-date list, visit http://appointments.illinois.gov/

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Illinois Arts Council Agency Biennial Report FY2015- 2016

ATTACHMENTS

Fiscal Year 2015 Listing of Grants by Legislative District

Fiscal Year 2016 Listing of Grants by Legislative District

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Illinois Arts Council Agency Biennial Report FY2015- 2016

Fiscal Year 2015 Listing of Grants by Legislative District

The following Fiscal Year 2015 grants reflect all those awarded by the Illinois Arts Council. Some awards were not claimed and must remain part of the record.

Senate District #1

House District #2

Artists Coop Residency/Exhibit Project for general operating support Chicago 3,700 Changing Worlds for general operating support Chicago 11,350 Chicago Film Archives NFP for general operating support Chicago 3,175 Chicago Public Art Group for general operating support Chicago 9,350 Clinard Dance Theatre for general operating support Chicago 1,985 Elevarte Community Studio for general