$16,000 regranted funds will support 49 Illinois artists
This 2026 program is supported by a Illinois Arts Council Agency Regional Art Partners grant as well as matching contributions from First National Bank of Lacon, Adams Consulting LLC., and Joan Root Ericksen in memory of Robert Ericksen family.
DePue Unit Schools
$1,000 for Northern Illinois University School of World Music Department to play for Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Eureka Public Library
$1000 funds to support artists Jen Johnson & Melissa Wehri to teach Middle School and High School visual arts art classes & workshops
Future of Henry Events Committee
$1,250 for 16 musician fees at Henry’s “Brown Bag-It” summer concert series
Henry Character Community Counts!
$800 for Tim Hannig for PRO-Kids Show
LW Achievers 4H Club
$1,000 for artist Megan Couri to create two Murals at LowPoint Washburn School with 4H students
Malden CCSD #84
$1,000 for art teacher Mary Jane Thornton to teach at Malden’s CCSD #84 grade school
Marshall Putnam Stark Show Choir
$1000 for choir director Robert Eckert for show choir productions
Marshall Putnam Stark Show Choir
$1000 for dance choreographer Christine Gaspardo for show choir productions
Marshall-Putnam Retired Teachers' Association
$650 to support the spring historical storytelling event with Brain Fox Ellis and summer art event with Mary J. Thornton
Midland Middle School
$1,000 for artist Brian Fox Ellis to lead a 6hr Storytelling Workshop
Princeton Theater Group
$1,000 for Camp Theater Director Branden Lancaster Williams to lead youth during the Camp56 musical Anastsia
Princeton Theater Group
$1,000 for Thespian Will Karls to assistant direct actors in Shakespeare in the Park"s "The Comedy of Errors"
River Valley Players
$1,000 for director Robert Eckert and choreographer Christine Gaspardo to lead "Disney's High School Musical" production
River Valley Players
$750 for two Youth Theater directors, Kelli Robison and Laura Wilson to lead "Frog & Toad Jr." theater productions
River Valley Players
$700 for 3 artists including director Deanne Crook, music director and pianist, for "Between The Lines" production
Snyder Village
$900 for Art Therapist Dori Thompson to lead therapeutic multidisciplinary arts for senior Memory Care residents
Toulon Public Library
$950 to three artists, Ben Bedford, Zack Percell and Forest Park Nature Center presenter during the June library program "Plant a Seed, Read"