Supporting Illinois' Arts Sector

Third Coast Percussion (TCP) is a GRAMMY® Award-winning ensemble founded in 2005 by four graduates from Northwestern University. From their base in Chicago, the quartet carefully and thoughtfully built a thriving nonprofit organization—including full-time staff, office/studio space, and a board of directors—to support their vision and facilitate their efforts to bring new works to life. Commissioning new works for percussion has always been central to TCP's activities, and the group has commissioned and premiered over 125 pieces from today's leading composers, emerging music creators, and everyone in between, many of whom travel to Chicago to work with the ensemble.

Among the highlights of their 2026-2027 season, the ensemble brings its new Vernacular program to Carnegie Hall and makes its Philadelphia debut in a performance of its Philip Glass tribute, Ripples in the Water. Domestically, the ensemble is scheduled for over two dozen U.S. engagements while international tour dates include performances in London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Rome. This season also features several hometown performances in Chicago, with engagements at the Grant Park Music Festival, the Northwestern Percussion Symposium, Chamber Music America, the Chicago Humanities Festival, Constellation Chicago, and more.

Enthusiastic about the current season, Reba Cafarelli, Executive Director of TCP shares, "This fall, Third Coast Percussion embarks on an extensive European tour with Gary, IN-based electronic musician and composer, Jlin. The tour coincides with the release of their groundbreaking new album, Vernacular, which fuses TCP's distinct acoustic soundworld with Jlin's innovative electronic practice. Support from IAC was instrumental in providing time and resources to develop this music together over several years. Now, we're incredibly proud to bring Chicago's sound to stages around the globe!"

Dianna Frid’s work explores the intersection of material texts and textiles. Born in Mexico City, she relocated to Vancouver, Canada, at the age of fifteen, and later to the United States in 1999. Frid's practice is a blend of artist's books, mixed-media works, and textiles that explore the tactile manifestations of language. A professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, her work has been exhibited globally, and she has received numerous accolades, including an IAC Fellowship, a 3Arts Award, and support from the Canada Council for the Arts.

Her work is currently being showcased in a solo exhibit titled Stanzas at Patron Gallery in Chicago. Stanzas features two expansive new works on paper made from the fiber of the pochote tree: Nectar #2 (pictured) and Nectar #3. Starting with paper crafted by Oaxaca-based Enrique Ramirez, a master papermaker, the works are made through a process of excavating shards of mica embedded into the fibers before gilding the surfaces with metal leaf (gold, silver, pewter, and copper) and layered with graphite and colored pencil. 

Reflecting on the themes of her work, Frid shares, "While not surprising, it is still astonishing to see how, after so many years, the themes of time and process continue to be a drive in my work. It is true that our deepest obsessions carry across time and place. I am grateful to the IAC for the support I have received." Stanzas is open through January 16, 2027, from 11 to 6, Tuesday to Saturday.