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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)
Featured Illinois Arts Organization
Eighth Blackbird, FY26 General Operating Support Recipient
Eighth Blackbird, photo credit, Ryan Bennett
The acclaimed contemporary music ensemble, Eighth Blackbird, was founded in 1996 at the Oberlin Conservatory. The sextet made Chicago its home in 2000 and have since pursued its mission of advancing music through innovative performances and championing new works by living composers. Eighth Blackbird is also deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians through its Blackbird Creative Lab. The Lab serves as a catalyst for creative experimentation and professional growth, supporting early - and mid-career artists working at the forefront of contemporary classical and experimental music. Over the past decade, it has fostered a thriving network of alumni who are reshaping the landscape of new music through innovation and community.
Set to take place on November 7th and 8th at Chicago’s Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture, the Eyrie Festival will gather over 40 alumni from the Blackbird Creative Lab, showcasing works that first developed during the Lab alongside bold new commissions and projects that have since emerged. Founding members Lisa Kaplan and Matthew Duvall expressed their pride in celebrating these artists at the festival, noting, “We could not be more proud to celebrate these Creative Lab alumni at the Eyrie Festival. They exemplify not just artistic excellence, but the ability to shape the future of the arts on their own terms.”
With programming that includes a mix of ticketed and free events, the Eyrie Festival offers audiences an opportunity to engage with the evolving artistic dialogue that has been central to the ensemble's mission.
Illinois Artist Spotlight
Maggie Capettini, a visual artist and poet from Downers Grove, Illinois, creates a diverse range of work, including representational paintings, abstract pieces, and ceramics. Her talent has been recognized through multiple awards, including Illinois Arts Council Individual Artist Support grants and a National Endowment for the Arts Our Town Grant. Maggie's art has been exhibited widely, with her pieces found in public collections both locally and internationally. She often draws inspiration from outdoor settings like the Morton Arboretum and urban landscapes around her community, which enrich her artistic expression. Maggie’s recent diagnosis of a genetic connective tissue disorder has profoundly influenced her art, inspiring a new series that explores her personal journey through various mediums, including printmaking, photography, and fiber art.
As her children grow more independent, Maggie is excited to deepen her practice and share her evolving artistic voice. Says Maggie, “In 2023, I wrote a commitment on a sticky note: ‘I will fully dedicate myself to my studio practice for two years.’ Being an artist, and only an artist, is daunting, but these last two years have gone by so quickly and with many successes to celebrate. The support from the IAC allows me to maintain my studio at Water Street Studios, where I am currently developing a series of abstract paintings. The award also goes toward a complete professional redesign of my website, customizing it to my needs as I begin to add ceramics and poetry to my online portfolio."
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