2027 Application
Application coming soon!
The Sun Foundation, in collaboration with the Illinois Arts Council, awards Regional Art Partners Grants each year, subject to grant approval. The program is funded by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council and local matching funds.
We invite you to submit an application for granting funds. Artists, art organizations, non-profit groups, and organizations with public art programs in Marshall, Bureau, Woodford and Stark counties are eligible for grants up to $1,000, or more if funds allow.
The application may be duplicated for other prospective applicants or multiple applications and schools.
Applications are due by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 20, 2027.
All applications must be submitted digitally. We recommend using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to complete your application.
Application Workshop
Watch a short video to help you complete your application.
Grant Sponsorship Logos
Grant recipients must credit grant sponsorship in all promotional material and public notices.
Grantee Packet
For 2026 grantees, the grantee packet includes a cash request form, due upon grant approval, and a program evaluation report, due within three weeks of program completion.
Grant Review Process
Application Guidelines
Eligible art programs must occur in Bureau, Marshall, Stark or Woodford Counties and run within the timeline of February 1–August 31, 2027.
Funds must cover Illinois artist fees, transportation, supplies and technology that directly carry out the art program.
Applicants can be individual artists, art organizations, non-profit groups, schools, park districts, libraries, social services and nursing homes.
Grant Exclusions
Grant funds cannot be used for projects or programs where artists are not the primary focus. Grants cannot be used to support fundraising projects, benefits, political activities, lobbying, receptions or other social functions. Grant funds will not be awarded for capital expenditures, alcoholic beverages, construction, permanent equipment, funding for out of state touring, academic study, scholarships, or operation deficit funding. All projects must have a public community service emphasis to be funded. No application will be accepted past due.
Grant Review
For grant review eligibility, art programs must support Illinois artists, meet the required timeline and be located among the Illinois counties we serve.
Applications will be reviewed based on a 1-5 point system, 5 being the highest rating. Grants with the highest rating and priority number will receive funding first.
High scores are given to art programs with multiple events, numerous artists supported
and many individuals impacted.
Email notifications of grant award status will be sent by January 25, 2027.
review criteria
Illinois artists supported
Individuals impacted
Event frequency
Minorities served
Financial need