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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
McLean County Art Center, FY25 General Operating Support recipient and Regional Arts Partner
McLean County Arts Center (MCAC.ORG), located at 601 N. East St., Bloomington, IL, is dedicated to fostering the appreciation, study, cultivation, development, and practice of art for the diverse communities of McLean, Livingston, and Logan Counties. Founded in 1888, it is the county’s oldest arts organization, committed to enriching cultural life through high-quality arts experiences.
MCAC’s programming includes approximately eighteen exhibitions annually, such as the Holiday Treasures and Amateur Competition, showcasing regional artists. It offers a variety of classes and workshops, including ceramics, painting, and photography, with small class sizes and quality instructors. Special events, such as the Sugar Creek Arts Festival and community mural projects, encourage engagement, while artist lectures and performing arts presentations enhance its offerings. MCAC’s vibrant space nurtures creativity, collaboration, and cultural enrichment.
Muse VLOG Artist Spotlight
The Illinois Arts Council (IAC) is proud to present the latest episode of The Muse VLOG, featuring craft artist and FY24 IAC Fellowship recipient Jade Yumang. Born in Quezon City, Philippines, and raised across Dubai and Vancouver, Jade now resides in Chicago, where he serves as an associate professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His work intricately explores the nuances of queer identity through innovative techniques and materials, engaging viewers in a dialogue about phenomenology and cultural narratives.
The interview was led by IAC's Communications Coordinator Margaret Gonzalez at Ignition Project Space in October of 2024. With his exhibit, "Exchanging Glances" as backdrop, Jade discusses his artistic process, offers some advice to aspiring artists, and reveals a favorite pizza topping!
On receiving an IAC Fellowship, Jade shares, "It has been an incredible opportunity that propelled me to present three consecutive solo shows throughout 2024, all of which were immersive installation exhibitions. Additionally, I decided to invest in a double-bed knitting machine, which opened up a world of creative possibilities. This new equipment allowed me to produce a fresh body of work that quickly developed into yet another solo show in 2025, and I am currently preparing for another solo show in 2026."
This year Jade will be featured in a hardcover international publication by Thames and Hudson AU on textiles in contemporary art. In 2026, Jade will participate in residencies at Roger Brown in New Buffalo, Michigan, and AHVA/University of British Columbia, Vancouver as well as a show at Borzello Gallery, Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois.
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