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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
Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center, FY26 General Operating Support Recipient
The Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center (MPAC), located in Rockford, Illinois, proudly celebrates its 141st year as the oldest continuously operating music organization in the United States. Operating from a historic 1952 property at 415 N Church Street, MPAC's concert season spans from September through May. This year, they are presenting 18 concerts across three series. The Mendelssohn Presents! series typically features Friday evening concerts with regional and national performers. Sunday Jazz afternoon concerts showcase regional jazz groups, while the Music Monday after-work concerts offer shorter programs with local and regional artists.
In addition to their concert offerings, the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center sponsors the annual Chandler Starr Miller Scholarship Competition, now in its 64th year. This competition is open to students aged 8 to 18 who are soloists playing acoustic instruments or singing. MPAC's Educational Outreach initiative also provides valuable opportunities in regional schools by bringing musicians to perform and share insights into their lives as performers. Another enduring education program offers two weeks of music and art instruction for underprivileged children.
MPAC is a longtime grantee of the IAC. Says board president Wayne Hatwich, “With significant support from the Illinois Arts Council, Mendelssohn PAC is enabled to continue its musical mission, enriching and inspiring lives in the Rockford community through music.” Recent concerts include the duo Organized Rhythm (pictured) and Blakeley Menghini & Friends, a locally based string quartet known for their eclectic programming. On December 15, MPAC will present its Sounds of the Season concert featuring beloved local musicians Rachel Handlin, Michael Beert, and Tim Anderson who promise to deliver a festive holiday spirit.
Illinois Artist Spotlight
At last week's “One State in the Arts and Humanities Conference,” Illinois' own Chris Vallillo captivated audiences with his deep-rooted connection to the musical heritage of rural America. A singer/songwriter and master of fingerstyle and bottleneck slide guitar, Vallillo has spent over three decades bringing the stories of the Midwest to life. His work, praised by Dirty Linen magazine as “vivid, original story songs,” is a testament to his profound understanding of history and culture, an insight perhaps sharpened by his anthropology degree from Beloit College. Vallillo’s contributions to the arts have been recognized with accolades, including a 1986 Illinois Arts Council Artist Fellowship in music composition.
At the conference, Vallillo presented a session on his acclaimed Forgottonia. The session provided a platform to discuss the partnerships and creative strategies necessary to make a rural project successful. Highlighting his ongoing support from IH and the IAC, Vallillo said, "Forgottonia was literally an outgrowth of the 2019 One State Conference, and Creative Catalyst support from the IAC helped make it a reality. Sometimes you can feel isolated in rural Illinois, but being together with nearly 350 individuals from the creative sector at this year's One State was incredibly inspiring!" The session concluded with a short performance by Vallillo along with an engaging discussion on partnerships by Fairouz AbuGazaleh (IH) and Angelique Grandone (IAC).
Vallillo recently completed his soundtrack for "Forgotten Valor," a new documentary on General William Wallace from Ottawa, Illinois. This project by the Ottawa Historical Museum (partially funded by a Creative Projects Grant) explores Wallace’s storied life and his ultimate sacrifice at the Battle of Shiloh. The film is now showing from November 15th to 20th at the Ottawa Historical and Scouting Museum.
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