Agencies
Services
Celebrating 60 Years
SMU DataArts Names Illinois Sixth Most Vibrant Arts State
Arts Impact in Illinois
$37.39B
of our state's gross domestic product was contributed by arts and culture in 2023 - Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Dept of Commerce
226,407
Illinois jobs were in arts and culture (2023)
- Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce
22
grants totaling $862,855 were directed to Illinois school districts in developing arts and foreign language curricula in partnership with the Illinois State Board of Education (FY2024)
$478M
in revenues to state and local government were delivered by Illinois arts nonprofits in 2024 - Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6)
29
local arts councils partnered with IAC through its Local Arts Network to support statewide arts programming (FY2024)
100%
of all legislative districts throughout Illinois receive free access to local and regional news, public affairs and arts programming through IAC support for Illinois Public Radio and Television (FY2025)
Illinois Artist Feature
Brandace Cloud is a professor of ceramics at Blackburn College, owner of Cloud Studios, and executive director of The Macoupin Art Collective (The MAC). Brandace's journey as an artist began unexpectedly when, after years of exploring different interests in college, she discovered a passion for ceramics during a clay class in 2010. Since then, she has dedicated herself to the art of making, using her craft to soothe her mind and enrich her community.
Brandace has made a profound impact by teaching art. Says Brandace, “The MAC has taught over 60,000 people. That is one of my proudest accomplishments. But, I find, my most rewarding and fulfilling time is the time I get to spend in the clay studio. My art practice helps to sustain my well-being. For me, the practice of art making is a practice to calm my mind and focus solely on creating.”
With help from the IAC’s Creative Accelerator Fund, Brandace will support her continued growth as an artist, funding workshops that expand her skill set and allowing her to rehabilitate her kiln shed—essential for her art practice. Her show, "Digging Deep," is open now through May 24, 2025, at The MAC.
Connect With Us
Interested in being an IAC Grant Reader?
Featured Partners
